Page 5 - Thrive Manual

Goal Setting
BIO
5
GOAL SETTING HANDOUT
Vision of Recovery (VOR)
An individual’s VOR is the first step in setting realistic goals. The VOR is the “bigger picture” for the individual. This is where the individual identifies what they want to have their lives look like if they no longer needed consistent medical and mental health services at the level of intensity they are currently involved in.
This is where the individual has one of the first opportunities to identify their hopes and dreams. It provides an initial direction for therapy. It may also identify strengths and motivation to work toward positive change in their lives. Here are a few examples of questions the clinician can pose to the individual:
“What do I want my life to look like in the next few years?”
“What do I want out of life?”
“What do I want my life to look like when I am no longer in primary treatment?”
“Can you imagine what your life looks like when you are no longer in treatment?”
“What do you want your life to look like when pain or illness is no longer controlling your life?”
Goals
Once the VOR has been established it is time to begin working on defining the individual’s
goals. Goals may be viewed as the degree and direction an individual needs to work in to move closer to their VOR. This is the first step in operationally defining an individual’s treatment. Specific targets are identified for treatment that reduces the individual’s ability to cope more effectively or function at a higher level. Timelines are typically attached to goals to establish review periods to assess movement throughout the therapeutic process. This is the “middle ground” between the VOR and the specific steps to begin working. It is important to incorporate the individual’s own words to promote ownership in the process. If the clinician does not incorporate the individual in the creation process it allows for externalization, decreased motivation, and less perceived control which all lead to demoralization and decreased hope. Perceived power and control are necessary ingredients for the promotion and reinforcement of motivation. Here are a few examples of questions the clinician can pose to the individual:
“What I need to work on to reach my VOR is...” “My priorities for treatment are...”
“What I need to learn or do differently is...”