A toolkit of motivational skills: Encouraging and supporting change in individuals, second edition,...
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Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 20: 305–306 (2010) DOI: 10.1002/cbm Book review Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health 20: 305–306 (2010) Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI: 10.1002/cbm.748 A Toolkit of Motivational Skills: Encouraging and Supporting Change in Individuals, Second Edition Edited by Catherine Fuller and Phil Taylor. Wiley, Chichester, 2008, 315 pp. Paperback, ISDN 978-0470516584, £26.99. As a health-care assistant running a reflective focus group within a high secure psychiatric hospital, this book seemed an obvious choice for review. On a high dependency ward where motivation to engage in such groups is minimal because of a combination of low self-esteem and suspicion for any sort of therapeutic group, I found the book to be refreshing and encouraging in its approach on how to deal with such situations. As the authors testify, the advice presented is not a quick fix answer, but instead is designed to equip facilitators, like myself, with the necessary skills to help others develop self-motivation. Essentially, the book is a step-by-step guide focused around five principles for motivational interviewing, and I could identify each with the work I do in my group (service users review their week and their behaviour in a variety of situa- tions with a focus on behaviour change and personal development). I found the chapters on ‘Listening Skills’ and ‘Developing the Desire to Change’ particularly useful as I could identify with the importance of active listening and non-verbal cues. In an environment where resistance to change is particularly strong as many service users have extremely destructive behaviours and attitudes, I know too well of the barriers already present before even speaking. By breaking down each of these principles and covering all aspects of inter- viewing, the book is thorough but not patronising – you do not feel as though it is an Idiot’s Guide to Motivational Interviewing. There are no endless ‘Do’s and Don’t’ lists, and chapters are broken up with illustrations, graphs and transcript examples. Worksheets are also included to give the reader the opportunity to explore the given skills, both alone and in practice, to ensure a complete under- standing. Despite being useful for new facilitators, a big positive of this book is that it applies to those who already have experience in interviewing and thera- peutic work. There is a sense of being able to pick and choose which chapters may be of value, and I felt that the chapter on ‘Working with Resistance’ and overcoming roadblocks in the intervention process was of particular relevance, no matter what the level of experience may be.
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Transcript of A toolkit of motivational skills: Encouraging and supporting change in individuals, second edition,...
Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 20: 305–306 (2010)DOI: 10.1002/cbm
Book review
Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health20: 305–306 (2010)Published online in Wiley Online Library(wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI: 10.1002/cbm.748
A Toolkit of Motivational Skills: Encouraging and Supporting Change in Individuals, Second Edition
Edited by Catherine Fuller and Phil Taylor. Wiley, Chichester, 2008, 315 pp. Paperback, ISDN 978-0470516584, £26.99.
As a health-care assistant running a refl ective focus group within a high secure psychiatric hospital, this book seemed an obvious choice for review. On a high dependency ward where motivation to engage in such groups is minimal because of a combination of low self-esteem and suspicion for any sort of therapeutic group, I found the book to be refreshing and encouraging in its approach on how to deal with such situations. As the authors testify, the advice presented is not a quick fi x answer, but instead is designed to equip facilitators, like myself, with the necessary skills to help others develop self-motivation.
Essentially, the book is a step-by-step guide focused around fi ve principles for motivational interviewing, and I could identify each with the work I do in my group (service users review their week and their behaviour in a variety of situa-tions with a focus on behaviour change and personal development). I found the chapters on ‘Listening Skills’ and ‘Developing the Desire to Change’ particularly useful as I could identify with the importance of active listening and non-verbal cues. In an environment where resistance to change is particularly strong as many service users have extremely destructive behaviours and attitudes, I know too well of the barriers already present before even speaking.
By breaking down each of these principles and covering all aspects of inter-viewing, the book is thorough but not patronising – you do not feel as though it is an Idiot’s Guide to Motivational Interviewing. There are no endless ‘Do’s and Don’t’ lists, and chapters are broken up with illustrations, graphs and transcript examples. Worksheets are also included to give the reader the opportunity to explore the given skills, both alone and in practice, to ensure a complete under-standing. Despite being useful for new facilitators, a big positive of this book is that it applies to those who already have experience in interviewing and thera-peutic work. There is a sense of being able to pick and choose which chapters may be of value, and I felt that the chapter on ‘Working with Resistance’ and overcoming roadblocks in the intervention process was of particular relevance, no matter what the level of experience may be.
Book review
Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 20: 305–306 (2010)DOI: 10.1002/cbm
306
Despite the book being written primarily for health-care workers, the mallea-bility of the skills given means that the book can be used in a variety of situations where motivation to change is key. The structure is comprehensive but not over-whelming, and at a personal level, I found the book extremely useful and infor-mative. I was able to highlight not only where I could improve as a facilitator, but where my service users could be encouraged and even challenged further to engage in their behaviour change; the focus being that the motivation required is not just one-sided.
Hannah StoneHealth-care Assistant, Broadmoor Hospital, Crowthorne, Berkshire
