Skills Training

• What is skills Training?

  Skills training involves learning new coping skills that will help the client manage their stress or addiction.

  ·         Examples include assertiveness training or anger management

  ·         Many people learn these skills subconsciously as they grow and develop, but some people will need extra help to develop them

  ·         This could be through structured training or unstructured self-help groups
• Psychological Theory:

  Psychological theory would be increased by client successfully developing new skill:

  ·         Self-efficacy

  ·         Because they learn they are capable of achieving control

   
• Assertive Training:


  ·         Helps people deal with conflict in a controlled way

  ·         Enables people to say no, or be in control of own behaviour

  ·         Some people avoid all confrontation, for fear leads to conflict
• Anger Management:

  ·         Some struggle to control emotions

  ·         Can often be expressed as anger, especially in situations that provoke anxiety or are seen as threatening

  ·         Anger management training can help people express emotions more constructively

  ·         This can help clients avoid emotional outburst leading to increased anxiety or reliance on addictive substances
• Social Skills Training:

  ·         Many people benefit developing skills which help them cope with anxiety in social situations

  ·         A recovering addict may experience social situations when the chance of relapse if offered

  ·         E.g A recovering alcoholic at a wedding, a gambling addict walking down a high street

  ·         SST can help people communication skills and body language as well as skills on how to cope in specific situations-link to addiction and stress
• Skills Training Skills:

  ·         Group Discussion

  ·         Small group discussions

  ·         People able to share view and experiences

  ·         Discussion on what has worked or what not

  ·         Discuss common high-risk situation and how to deal with them.
• Modelling and Role Play:


  ·         Therapist demonstrates a skill (models skill) e.g making strong eye contact and using assertive language when refusing a drink

  ·         Clients then try to imitate the skill in a safe environment

  ·         Clients can feedback how it felt and discuss this in group

  ·         Therapist can feedback on how they did
• Homework:

  ·         Tasks set so client can develop skills in real life situations

  ·         Planned- not to put client under too much ;pressure too quickly

  ·         Should be ‘achievable’ so sense of mastery is felt

  ·         Client may keep a diary of how homework task went, how it made them feel, how successful it was
• Visualisation:


  ·         Client imagines situations when client has to be assertive (turning down cigarette)

  ·         Mentally work through steps mentally before they role play it

  ·         Can help client feel more aware
• Strengths:

  ·         Research support

  ·         Long term effectiveness: If skills are learned and self-efficacy increase- benefit will exceed 12 months
• Weakness:

  ·         Treatment adherence- takes commitment otherwise not likely to stick to it- won’t be successful

  ·         Role of cognitive factors: Doesn’t deal with cognitive factors