Week 1: Initial Assessment
Defining Objectives
What motivation will the client identify for learning to do laundry?
- Client will be able to discuss and share his knowledge of how to do laundry as well as his past experiences engaging in this skill
- Client will be able to identify a reason for learning to do his own laundry (better appearance, more confidence, more control over what he can wear, etc) that connects to his guiding treatment goals
- Client will feel supported by his provider regardless of the client’s past experiences or current knowledge base and agree to a future in-home session to complete a load of laundry with his provider
Taking Action
How will you guide the client towards self-knowledge and intrinsic motivation?
- Provider will promote a discussion around life skills to assess for whether or not the client knows how, has done, or can do his own laundry
- Provider will offer to support client with this life skill using MI to build ambivalence towards doing laundry if the client is resistant
| Questions to Consider | Resistant Client Corner |
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Teenage boys in particular may have internalized attitudes that laundry is something that the women in their life take care of. Explore these attitudes if the client exhibits resistance towards learning to do their own laundry. Connecting laundry to a preferred leisure activity like watching a sporting event or movie during the process may help a resistant client embrace making room for laundry in their schedule. |
When to Check In
This module is super specific and many clients may be resistant to working on it. Be prepared to adapt and role with resistance. You’re going to want to speak with your supervisor if:
- After learning about what your client presented, you’re unclear of what to do next or how to motivate the client to include you in the work at his home.
- You need help in being able to connect this session to the client’s other motivations within treatment
- You want to learn how to connect this to the family work that may be happening
Session Framework
To Be Repeated as Needed
Defining Objectives
What will the client have accomplished at the conclusion of the session?
- Client will do his laundry with support of the provider and develop an understanding of what completion looks like for this task (i.e. clothes washed, folded, and put away)
- Client will feel like he is learning the life skill and not just doing the life skill, receiving support from his provider while still taking ownership over the task
Taking Action
What will you do to support the client along the way?
- Provider will meet the client in the client’s home to complete a load of laundry together
- Provider will engage in reflective questioning and promoting of discussion while engaging in this life skill to encourage reflection and self-awareness
| Questions to Consider | Resistant Client Corner |
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If the client is unwilling to do their laundry during the session, lean into the resistance! Invite the client to articulate his opposition and explain the reasons for his reluctance before trying to move past it. Probe for the client’s attitude towards the change process as a whole. |
When to Check In
To promote independence, it may be necessary for member’s of the client’s family to scale back the support they offer in this area. Washing or folding clothes might not be something the client has ever had to do on their own.
- If the client’s family members continue to pick up the slack in this area, it may be worth discussing with your supervisor about some ways to loop in the family on the client’s goals and give the client room to accept responsibility
- If the client is about to transition to independent living, check in with your supervisor around integrating laundry-focused sessions in the lead up to ease the adjustment