This one was done with a client in his late teens. He
was able to read and write.
|
This can be done on a large scale (this one
took us an hour to create) or on a small scale (some take 15 minutes to make
and practice).
Who?: The first step is to create a conversation between you and the client. Later you can create them for close friends and family of the client, then persons in the clinic (ex: other therapists, secretaries, etc.), and lastly unfamiliar persons (clerk at store, server at restaurant, person at church).
Physical creation: There is a lot of variation in the form this can take. The one above was done on colored butcher paper but it can be done on a small sheet of paper, or even on a computer. I like to freehand them because it keeps the client from being too rigid in creating a conversation-sometimes you have one follow up question, sometimes two and sometimes even three-you get the picture. I don't care for forms for this particular project.
You can use written words (by you or the client), pictures (drawn by you or the client), or a combination of both. I usually have the client write if they can, I write if they can read but not write, and I usually draw if they can neither read or write but if you had a client that was a great artist they could certainly draw. (Because I am not much of an artist I frequently also write the question/statement along with drawing a picture.)
Ideas: Okay, now for the fun part.
1. Put the name of the person that your client will use the map for in the middle.
2. Ask the client what they want to know about you (or the person they are creating it for after you've created one for you). If they can't think of anything give them a few ideas to pick from-it may take a while before they can think of topics on their own. Write it down branching off from the name.
3. Now, ask them what they could ask to learn about that area. (Again, help as needed. In the beginning they will need lots of scaffolding.)Write these questions branching off from the topic.
4. After they think of two or three questions practice. The client will ask you each of the questions and you will answer them (this is why it is easiest to start with yourself-later you have to think of several things a person could say and then think of appropriate responses to those things). Write the responses
5. As you answer each question, have the client think of one or two appropriate response (could be a statement or a follow-up question). Write these down.
6. Now move on the next topic and follow steps 2-5. Depending on how familiar the client is with the process and how familiar they are with the person I like them to pick between 4 and 6 topics.
7. Now that you have created the map it is time to practice. Even if the map is not for you have the conversation with the client. This will allow them to feel more confident using it and to also sort out any concerns.
8. Have them use it with the person they created it for.
9. Have them report back about how it went the next time they attend therapy.
I have never had a client that didn't enjoy doing this. It helps them feel more connected and gives them the scaffolding to have a "typical" conversation.
Who?: The first step is to create a conversation between you and the client. Later you can create them for close friends and family of the client, then persons in the clinic (ex: other therapists, secretaries, etc.), and lastly unfamiliar persons (clerk at store, server at restaurant, person at church).
Physical creation: There is a lot of variation in the form this can take. The one above was done on colored butcher paper but it can be done on a small sheet of paper, or even on a computer. I like to freehand them because it keeps the client from being too rigid in creating a conversation-sometimes you have one follow up question, sometimes two and sometimes even three-you get the picture. I don't care for forms for this particular project.
You can use written words (by you or the client), pictures (drawn by you or the client), or a combination of both. I usually have the client write if they can, I write if they can read but not write, and I usually draw if they can neither read or write but if you had a client that was a great artist they could certainly draw. (Because I am not much of an artist I frequently also write the question/statement along with drawing a picture.)
Ideas: Okay, now for the fun part.
1. Put the name of the person that your client will use the map for in the middle.
2. Ask the client what they want to know about you (or the person they are creating it for after you've created one for you). If they can't think of anything give them a few ideas to pick from-it may take a while before they can think of topics on their own. Write it down branching off from the name.
3. Now, ask them what they could ask to learn about that area. (Again, help as needed. In the beginning they will need lots of scaffolding.)Write these questions branching off from the topic.
4. After they think of two or three questions practice. The client will ask you each of the questions and you will answer them (this is why it is easiest to start with yourself-later you have to think of several things a person could say and then think of appropriate responses to those things). Write the responses
5. As you answer each question, have the client think of one or two appropriate response (could be a statement or a follow-up question). Write these down.
6. Now move on the next topic and follow steps 2-5. Depending on how familiar the client is with the process and how familiar they are with the person I like them to pick between 4 and 6 topics.
7. Now that you have created the map it is time to practice. Even if the map is not for you have the conversation with the client. This will allow them to feel more confident using it and to also sort out any concerns.
8. Have them use it with the person they created it for.
9. Have them report back about how it went the next time they attend therapy.
I have never had a client that didn't enjoy doing this. It helps them feel more connected and gives them the scaffolding to have a "typical" conversation.
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