4 Principles Demonstration

'''Abstract''': The purpose here is to teach the four principles with a minimum of didactic instruction, by eliciting the principles from the trainees through examples.

'''Overview''': The whole group of trainees works together. A PowerPoint slide up front lists the 4 principles with no other writing on the slide.

'''Guidelines''': The trainer asks trainees to write down a sentence a client has said to them lately during a session. Wait a few moments while trainees write. Then the trainer displays a slide with the 4 principles listed and explains very briefly what each means.

Express empathy
Develop discrepancy
Roll with resistance
Support self-efficacy

Now the trainer asks one trainee to read the sentence that a client has said recently. One trainer reads, and the trainer responds as if to that client. Then the trainer asks the group “Which principle was I trying to demonstrate with my response?” The trainees reply with their answer and their reason. They are usually right. Then another trainee reads her sentence. The trainer responds and again asks which principle was the target. And so on.

'''Examples''': Trainee reads client sentence: I’m only here because the judge sent me.
Trainer responds: You were forced to come here.
Trainer asks group: Which principle was I trying to demonstrate?
Group replies: It was expressing empathy and rolling with resistance. Both.
Trainer: OK, why? Tell me more about your reasoning.
(Discussion follows, then more sentences and responses.)

'''Notes''': The group teaches itself the principles through the examples and the discussion.

Thanks to: Carolina Yahne