Affirmations are used when we acknowledge and recognize an individual鈥檚 strengths and effort; where the statements we say to a client matter to them and are genuine. Affirmations are not praise like 鈥済ood job鈥� but rather, they are very specific about how a client has perhaps persevered, or prioritized making a healthy choice, or where the client was very honest about their thoughts and feelings.
The most effective affirmations usually begin with the word 鈥測ou鈥� vs. 鈥淚.鈥� So, it might sound like, 鈥淵ou have really been able to commit to and prioritize attending AA meetings,鈥� vs. 鈥淚 am proud of you for attending AA meetings. The reason is because when we start with or use the word 鈥淚鈥� for an affirmation, the focus is more on 鈥渦s鈥� than 鈥渢hem鈥� and it implies that we are in a position of determining praise or blame.
Other examples of affirmations could be:
鈥漎ou have really given a lot of thought and consideration to this decision.鈥�
or
鈥淚t sounds like it was challenging but you dedicated yourself to getting your GED.鈥�
or
鈥淵ou have been prioritizing your family and making decisions that really support you and them.鈥�
The focus, again, comes back to the client and listening to affirm what is 鈥渞ight鈥� with them.
For more information about motivational interviewing or related services, contact Eunice Akinyi Okumu, by phone (919) 843-2532, or by email, eunice_okumu@med.unc.edu