Eight Techniques for Reducing Anxiety |
1.
Warmth, empathy, genuineness: counselor is nonjudgmental, listens
openly and actively, and does not hide behind a professional mask, but is
willing to reveal appropriate emotion.
2.
Decatastrophize: using “what if” questions to show the client that she may have
overblown the problem in her mind (What if you fail the class? Can’t you
take it again, or try another class?).
3.
Reattribute cause: suggest that the problem has causes other than the one the
client may focus on (Did your children really move away to spite you, or could
they simply have been looking for better jobs and a different climate?
Are you really a bad mother, or have you just not found a good way to relax
after a long day at work?)
4.
Redefine the problem: Empower the client by putting the problem in words that
show what cam be done about it. Diminishes sense of doom. (Next
time you feel intimidated by this guy at work, try going straight to your
supervisor.)
5.
Decentering: Persuade client that she is not the focus of everyone’s attention
6.
Diversion: Any form of distraction that will break an emotion or thought
pattern for a sad or anxious client (e.g., suggesting a walk, asking about a
piece of jewelry)
7.
Reframing: when a client sees a situation in either-or terms, try to have her
place it in a different light. E.g., firing herself if she does a bad
job, because she sees herself as a failure.
8. Building a continuum: Generate middle-ground options for a person who
engages in dichotomous thinking (either/or, black/white). |