| Brief Counseling Model |
Medical Model |
| 1. Individualized treatment plans set the agenda. |
1. Present Program Agenda. |
| 2. Focus is on assisting clients to identify solutions and on how to reach personal goals. |
2. Focus is on education and on teaching skills. |
| 3. Groups are treatment plan driven. |
3. Group topics are mandatory. |
| 4. Precontemplation is considered to be normal and an expected stage. |
4. Denial is seen as an obstacle. |
| 5. Client is only in treatment as long as the client sees a benefit and is working towards an identified goal. |
5. Client is in treatment until the therapist determines that the client has the necessary skills. |
| 6. All interventions are theory based. |
6. Interventions are counselor based. |
| 7. Time-limited. Every session is focused on working as though it was the last. |
7. Time is secondary to the process. |
| 8. The most important work is considered to be done in between or after the session. |
8. Change is expected to be seen in therapy. |
| 9. Does not believe in the notion of "cure." Works with who the client is and looks at how the client wants to be different. |
9. Seeks basic character change. |
| 10. Believes that change is inevitable. Believes in the adult developmental perspective. |
10. Believe that change takes a long time. Believes that significant psychological change is unlikely in a short period of time. |
| 11. Views therapy as having the potential for good as well as harm. |
11. Views therapy as almost always helpful or benign. |
| 12. Views dependence on therapy as harmful. |
12. Views dependence on therapy as part of the process. |
| 13. Views substance abuse problems as one aspect of the person. Sometimes the client may resolve the issue completely. |
13. Views addiction as a life-long illness. |
| 14. Will not label the client, yet will encourage the client to self-label only if useful. |
14. Views the label of "addict" as necessary. |
| 15. Views activities in the client's world as the most important part of the client's life. |
15. Views therapy as the most important part of the client's life. |
| 16. Emphasizes client's strengths. Views it unnecessary to address "problems" which have not materialized. |
16. Emphasizes client's unresolved problems. Believes that problems are indicative of underlying issues. |
| 17. Views therapy as a partnership with the client. |
17. Views therapy as having a set agenda. Therapist is in the role of expert. |
| 18. Views collaboration as key to success. Other professionals are seen as part of the treatment team. Assisting the client to work within the existing network is crucial. |
18. Views the legal system and Human Services as being not in the client's best interest and as having a separate agenda. |
