Adapting to Change --Jim Schmidt, LISW --Jeri O’Donnell, LPCC --Jeri O’Donnell, LPCC

Why did we choose this topic?

OBJECTIVES  Participants will recognize the impact of change on them as individuals.  Participants will be able to describe the role resistance and grief play in change  Participants will be able to describe the “stages of change”

CHANGE

Remember…  Change always means giving up something, and the greater the personal sacrifice, the more one feels like dragging their feet.

Reaction to Change Inventory

RESISTANCE What holds us back from positive change?  Ambivalence  Uncertainty  Fear  Will I be competent in new role?  Expected vs. the unknown

Symptoms of Fear?  Loss of control  Rumors, complaining  Cliques that exclude  Rigid thinking --- “Can’tism”/”Shouldism”  Stress, compulsions, rituals  Not getting on with your life

Ambivalence  Normal and common stage of change  Weighing pros and cons is common  Pros and cons are greatly influenced by social and cultural factors  Resistance increases when personal freedom is perceived as being challenged Ambivalence is not an obstacle to change…rather, it’s ambivalence that makes change possible.

Stages of Change  Precontemplation  Contemplation  Preparation  Action  Maintenance *Prochaska and DiClemente (1968)

Pre-contemplation - there is no intention to change behavior in the foreseeable future (denial/resistance). Pre-contemplation - there is no intention to change behavior in the foreseeable future (denial/resistance). (Not ready—”I can’t vs I won’t) Contemplation - individuals have identified a problem and are deciding whether or not there is a need to take action to correct the problem (exploration). (“I may”) Contemplation - individuals have identified a problem and are deciding whether or not there is a need to take action to correct the problem (exploration). (“I may”) Preparation - the individual decides there is a need to take some action. Specific plans of action are developed in this stage as the individual chooses among alternative potential solutions. (“I will”) Preparation - the individual decides there is a need to take some action. Specific plans of action are developed in this stage as the individual chooses among alternative potential solutions. (“I will”) Action - individuals put their plans into action and change their behavioral patterns (commitment). (“I am”) Action - individuals put their plans into action and change their behavioral patterns (commitment). (“I am”) Maintenance – the individual works to prevent relapse and consolidate the gains attained during action. (“I still am”) Maintenance – the individual works to prevent relapse and consolidate the gains attained during action. (“I still am”)

Change Disrupts Expectations “The 4 C’s”  Comfort  Confidence  Competence  Control

BARRIERS TO CHANGE  Positive/negative  Leverage strengths to change  Excuses for not doing? past experiences familytimemoney

Recent research supports that primary care providers are most likely to counsel patients in behaviors which they are successfully engaging in themselves. Secondly, approximately one third of participants reported difficulty counseling patients in behaviors with which they themselves struggle. *Vickers, Kircher, et all (2007)

CORE VALUES What are your basic underlying beliefs that are most true to you?

Small Groups

When is our reaction to change toxic?

How do you know is someone is sabotaging change? Why does this happen?

RESILIENCE  Can you identify ways to make good fortune out of unfortunate experiences?  Do you look for lessons learned from difficult situations?  Do you think in terms of options and creative solutions?  Do you appropriately and honestly laugh at yourself when you are unsuccessful at an endeavor?  Do you honor and handle your emotions when recovering from an unpleasant occurrence?

 Can you express emotional pain in a constructive way?  Do you feel connected to others?  Do you seek assistance when needed?  Are you curious and questioning about your world?  Are you adept at adapting?

MYTHS

Myth: (This) is going to be bad for…

Reality:Change often masquerades as trouble.

Myth: It will help if I get upset about this…

Reality:Controlling your emotions increases your control over the situation.

HEALTHY BEHAVIOR CHANGE includes…  Control your attitude (subjective)  Control your behavior (acting out a negative attitude) “I was going to buy a copy of Power of Positive Thinking, and then I thought: What the hell good would that do?”

 Take some ownership of the change.  If you must whine, be ready to have a solution!

 Keep your sense of humor. “Laughter is the best medicine.” -- Reader’s Digest

 Don’t let your strengths become weaknesses.

 Practice good stress management techniques. “I’ve tried relaxing, but—I don’t know— I feel more comfortable being tense.”

SUMMARY  Know yourself.  How much is rational vs. irrational? (What is the “story” I’m telling myself?)  What are my core values?

“The trouble with the future is that it usually arrives before we’re ready for it” --Arnold Glasow