Motivational Techniques Flashcards

During the Tension Reduction phase of the CPI Crisis Development Model, which motivational approach is MOST appropriate?

Answer: Providing calm support, therapeutic rapport-building, and emotional validation

Tension Reduction is the recovery phase; CPI recommends offering support and validation to consolidate safety and build the relationship before addressing behavior.

Which of the following BEST demonstrates the CPI principle of 'empathic listening' as a motivational tool?

Answer: Reflecting feelings and content to show understanding before responding with information

Empathic listening involves reflecting both the emotional content and factual message, signaling that the individual is genuinely understood before redirection.

A staff member says to an individual, 'I can see this is really frustrating — what would help you feel more comfortable right now?' This statement exemplifies which CPI motivational strategy?

Answer: Combining empathy with an autonomy-supporting question

This statement validates the person's emotion and invites their input, combining empathy with an autonomy-supporting question — a core CPI motivational technique.

CPI training identifies 'precipitating factors' as important for motivational planning. What are precipitating factors?

Answer: Environmental or personal triggers that increase an individual's risk of crisis behavior

Precipitating factors are environmental or personal triggers that increase crisis risk; identifying them allows staff to proactively address barriers to motivation.

Which motivational approach does CPI recommend when an individual appears stuck in ambivalence about changing their behavior?

Answer: Exploring both sides of their ambivalence without judgment to help them resolve it internally

Exploring ambivalence non-judgmentally helps individuals work through their own mixed feelings and arrive at an internal commitment to change.

In CPI, the concept of 'therapeutic rapport' is foundational to motivational success. Which staff behavior MOST directly damages therapeutic rapport?

Answer: Using sarcasm or dismissing the individual's emotional experience

Sarcasm and emotional dismissiveness break trust and undermine the therapeutic relationship, making individuals far less receptive to motivational efforts.

A CPI principle states that 'behavior is a choice, given what a person knows.' How should this belief guide staff motivational strategies?

Answer: Staff should teach skills and increase awareness so individuals can make better-informed choices

If behavior is shaped by knowledge and skills, then motivation grows when staff teach coping skills and expand the individual's awareness of their options.