Errant assumptions

The following six assumptions that professionals have about clients may cause distress in the therapeutic relationship if not challenged. After each commonly held belief is a realistic way to view the concern. When you notice yourself holding one of these errant assumptions about your client, follow this exercise to remind you of the reality of the situation, using the statement of reality to challenge the related errant expectation. See Chapter 5 for more information on challenging errant thoughts and assumptions. 

Errant assumption I Clients and patients with drug problems should want to change. 

Errant assumption 2 High utilizers of the system never change. 

Errant assumption 3 They should do better or know better. 

Errant assumption 4 Clients or patients will choose to comply with recommendations. 

Errant assumption 5 If they did follow my recommendations, they would get better. 

Errant assumption 6 We always know what is best for our clients and patients. 

---