Guest Blog Post By: Denise Lima-Laskiewicz ADC/EDU, ICRmT
Remotivation therapy is a successful program because it involves five steps. These steps provide a purpose for the client. When one does this type of session it guides the clients into the objective parts of one’s life. Then the client is steered away from wounded parts of his mind. Each session includes the following steps:
- Climate of Acceptance
- Bridge to the Real World
- Sharing the World inWhich We live
- Appreciation of the Work of the World
- Climate of Appreciation
For the sake of this article, I will focus on Step 1, Climate of Acceptance.
Step 1 is the most important part of the Remotivation therapy session. In this step the Remotivation therapist sets the tone for the rest of the session and the group. Acceptance occurs when the facilitator accepts the individual for who they are without judgement. This includes their physical limitation and cognitive abilities. The Remotivation therapist is able to see beyond the aspect of the indivdual thus accepting him as who he is.
There are several ways to acknowlegdge the individual as a person. Below are listed for examples:
- Greet the person by his/her name
- The human touch that is socially acceptable
- Compliment the client
- Individually greet each person
The Remotivation therapist greets each peson by thier client’s own name. This tells the client, that I am someone. This facilitator sees me. In the next process is the therapeutic touch.
The simple act of extending one’s hands to the client is healing in itself. However, it is important to remember that it must be done in a sociable, acceptable way. It is also possible to touch the client’s shoulder. The client need not respond back with the same. In extending one’s hand, it reinforces the fact that the client is an individual, even in a group setting. When the Remotivation therapist greets the client at the start of the session say something positive about the client. Compliment the person in a socially, acceptable amanner. For a woman and a man you can provide a compliment on thier jewelry, clothing or hair. Remember not to make it so personal as to embarass the person.
At the conclusion theses techniques the clients and facilitator have formed a rapport. In this safe, non-judgmental environment the clients will share ideas and comments with the groups. The client will want to stay because the remotivation therapist valued him/her as an individual. These simple steps are a step in the right direction in creating a trusting relationship between the facilitator and the clients in the group.