You're faced with a disengaged client during sessions. How can you re-engage them effectively?

It is helpful to know not to take this personal. If you have built rapport with your client then use something relevant but off topic. Ask open ended questions to see if they will share with you what happened to them to be in a low motivated start. Always remember, met your patient where they are at. Try and try again

Indeed, it is truly an honor to have the opportunity to be a member of this team. In regards to ambivalence, I keep in mind to meet the client “where they are.“. After all, the client contacts the clinician for a reason. So naturally, patience, consistency, active and reflective, listening is essential. I also lean heavily on motivational interviewing. Again, at the end of the day, it’s essential that we meet the client where they are. Thank you for the opportunity.

When in a session a client becomes disengaged also plays a big factor. For example, are they simply discouraged from a lackluster week or are they consistently disengaged during the focus of the session? If it's the former, the 6 strategies listed are especially useful. In the latter example with a disengaged client during the session focus, I would add two additional ways to re-engage: 1. Revisit why the topic of coaching is even important to the client in the 1st place. This approach employs self-perception theory so that the client states their own reason(s) for a topic's importance in their life. 2. Directly name the client's disengagement, IF there's positive rapport. Naming can open the door to a deeper reason for disengagement.

Ambivalence can also be used as a tool to support the clients understanding about their indecisiveness in treatment and how to utilize it to develop their motivation to engage. Out joins are never to have the answers for our clients, our jobs are to support our clients to make sense of their own story. This includes us having the skill set to support our clients to move through the trans theoretical model of change, and understand each stage of their transition through their changes as it pertains to their ambivalence.

I like to keep things simple. I either go way abstract in the subject matter or ask a question, or make a comment like... “I find sometimes I forget the Obvious. Any suggestions of something I might have missed or that can be addressed?”

Last week I was teaching a cohort of students Leadership through Equilibrium Psychology and Excenomics - two disciplines founded and developed by me. Initially I found most of them disengaged and disconnected. But when I got them to talk of their interests and challenges and involved them in a series of games, exercises, activities that brought out the lessons of leadership, they became totally engaged and involved. I got some of them to teach and they went on to teach their peers outside these sessions.

In my experience, you can get the attention of someone who may have drifted off from actively listening if you focus your subject on what is relevant and meaningful for them in the present moment. If you dwell on what they've already indicated they are not ready or not interested in exploring, usually what the professional thinks they should explore, they will not really hear you anyway. Don't get ahead of them, they need to lead and you gently nudging from behind.

“Seems like there’s this ‘side’ of you that struggles to step in and engage, is unsure or even disinterested- which is ok, I get it and that must make things challenging. But I wonder if there’s another side of you, even a small side, that wants to see and do things differently - to get the best out of this and really make this useful. I want to help you find that side. Can we maybe explore what that would be like together?”

One thing I found helpful is that when you truly understand and reflect the client’s perspective without judgment, it can transform the therapeutic relationship. This approach reassures the client that they are not alone in their journey, creating a foundation of trust and safety.One thing I disagree with is the idea that empathy alone is enough to re-engage a disengaged client. While crucial, empathy must be combined with strategic questioning and guidance to help clients move forward.For example, a client might feel stuck and resistant to change. By empathetically acknowledging their struggles and fears, you can open the door to exploring their ambivalence, making them more open to considering new perspectives and actions.

Something that I hold in mind always is that "It's all information." Everything the client brings or avoids bringing to therapy is impacting on the therapeutic interaction. Therefore disengagement tells me something and I would be curious about this with the client, exploring the change of energy/mood with them. Depending on what we discovered was the reason or purpose for disengagement, it will be useful for the future interactions.

Akin to most talk, I try understand the advantages & disadvantages of such behavior. But ask in wanting to understand them better, not to get them to take a side. They sometimes don't have anywhere else to share the things they have said. Sometimes, they just need to hear themselves think, and have "permission to be" - rather than conform to norms. Yes, norms including societal ones are also social constructs. For instance, chewing gum is acceptable in every country except one - as far as I know. But it doesn't mean it isn't liked.

One helpful technique that I've used to develop discrepancy is the use of the "miracle question"; it is a powerful tool for developing discrepancy in therapy. Start by asking the client to imagine that overnight, a miracle resolves all their issues. When they wake up, how would they know? What would be different? As they describe this ideal life, explore the details: How do these changes compare to their current reality? Highlight the gap between their present situation and the desired outcome. This contrast creates a sense of discomfort, sparking motivation. Finally, encourage small, actionable steps to bridge the gap and revisit the question in future sessions to track progress.

One thing I found helpful is the technique of developing discrepancy in therapy. By guiding clients to recognize the gap between their current behaviors and their broader life goals or values, you create an opportunity for self-reflection that can reignite their motivation for change.One thing I disagree with is assuming that simply pointing out this discrepancy will automatically lead to change. Clients may need time and support to process this realization and to find the courage to take action.For example, a client might value health but struggle with unhealthy habits. By helping them see how these behaviors conflict with their goals, you can gently encourage them to explore ways to align their actions with their values.

To re-engage a disengaged client, it's crucial to help them see the gap between where they are and where they truly want to be. This process, known as developing discrepancy, involves guiding the client to articulate their core values and recognizing how their current behaviors might not align with these values. By gently bringing this awareness to light, you can reignite their motivation for change. This realization can be a powerful catalyst, encouraging the client to reconnect with their goals and participate more fully in the therapeutic process. Realigning actions with values often reawakens a sense of purpose.

Supporting self-efficacy is crucial in helping clients re-engage when they feel disconnected from the therapeutic process. Often, disengagement stems from a lack of belief in their ability to change. By reminding them of past successes, even the small ones, and affirming their strengths, you reinforce their sense of capability.This encouragement can serve as a powerful motivator, reigniting their confidence and energy to tackle challenges. When clients start to see that they have the tools and inner resources needed for change, they are more likely to re-engage with the process, approaching it with renewed hope and determination.

Sometimes, giving them time & space to talk is liberating. Sometimes, it's suffocating. Sometimes, drawing or picking a card may be easier. Or, talking to a puppet. How do you encourage others to speak? Especially if they feel they have no voice.

Resistance is a natural reaction when change feels forced. In Motivational Interviewing, rolling with resistance means embracing a client’s objections rather than challenging them. By accepting and exploring these reservations, we acknowledge their feelings and beliefs, creating a non-confrontational space for dialogue. This approach not only diffuses tension but also helps clients feel heard and respected. By validating their perspective, we can re-engage them, turning resistance into an opportunity for deeper understanding and progress. Ultimately, this respectful engagement fosters collaboration and paves the way for meaningful change.

Really... sometimes, the other opinion is offered. By the clients themselves. Sometimes, it's from someone else - in the family, school, workplace. No matter the setting, you can be sure that person has some importance, and they cannot dismiss that voice. So, valuing their concerns & all it stands for is important. Precious too.

Doing research and Detection client’s past interactions in sessions ,Identify and understand the aspects of disengagement,reconnect and repair communication with them,but already review your own emotions and behavior maybe some misunderstanding occurred and that’s need to explain for them and reorganize your manner and lead your conversation and framework in a polite manner and be aware of your non verbal language,rebuild relationships and establish different methods of communication,ask them open ended questions to encourage them express their attitudes,considering their culture of responding,sometimes the topic of session’s discussion is not related to client’s concerns,

Reigniting a client’s commitment to change hinges on the art of eliciting change talk. By guiding clients to articulate their desire, ability, reasons, and need for change, we tap into their intrinsic motivation. Open-ended questions play a crucial role, inviting them to reflect on the potential benefits of re-engagement. When clients hear themselves verbalize these thoughts, it often reinforces their resolve to pursue change. This self-generated motivation is powerful, as it comes from within, making the journey towards transformation both personal and sustainable. Our role is to gently steer the conversation, allowing them to discover their own path forward.

Un claro ejemplo que a mí me funciona en mis sesiones es el método o diálogo socratico, para el cuestionamiento de creencias desadaptativas vinculado a la reestructuración cognitiva.