Motivational Interviewing - Good Example - Alan Lyme

Summary

In the provided transcript, Alan Lime, a social worker, meets with Miss Clark to address her increasing stress and anxiety, which she has been coping with through alcohol. Dr. Seal referred her to Lime due to concerns about her alcohol consumption. The conversation reveals that Miss Clark's drinking may be contributing to her stress levels and potential health risks. Lime discusses the potential for drug interactions and the importance of finding alternative stress management strategies. Miss Clark expresses readiness to cut back on alcohol and is open to behavioral health support, showing commitment to change for the sake of her well-being and responsibilities.

Takeaways

• 😀 Alan Lime is a social worker at the Family Health Center and is meeting with Miss Clark to discuss her stress and anxiety issues.
• 🍷 Miss Clark has been seeing Dr. Seal due to increasing stress and anxiety, and she mentions that her alcohol consumption has been increasing.
• 🏥 Dr. Seal is concerned about Miss Clark's alcohol consumption and its potential impact on her stress levels, hence the referral to Alan Lime.
• 📝 Miss Clark fills out a form indicating her alcohol consumption, which shows she is in an 'at risk' zone based on the scale provided.
• 🚫 The standard drink size is discussed, and it is suggested that Miss Clark might be drinking more than she initially reported.
• 🚶‍♀️ Miss Clark has previously used exercise to manage stress, but her current schedule makes it difficult to fit in.
• 💰 Miss Clark acknowledges that her increased alcohol consumption is adding to her financial stress, which is counterproductive.
• 🤔 Alan Lime explores Miss Clark's motivations for drinking and her willingness to consider changes, finding that she is quite motivated to address her drinking habits.
• 💊 Miss Clark is open to the possibility of reducing or stopping her alcohol consumption if it means she can receive medication for her anxiety from Dr. Seal.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Alan Lime suggests that Miss Clark could benefit from talking to a Behavioral Health Specialist and offers to set up an appointment for her.
• 📚 Alan Lime provides Miss Clark with information on alcohol and its interaction with medications, which could be crucial for her decision-making.

Q & A

Why was Alan Lime referred to Miss Clark by Dr. Seal?

Alan Lime was referred to Miss Clark by Dr. Seal due to increasing stress and anxiety that was affecting his life, and a concern that his alcohol consumption might be contributing to the problem.

What is the initial concern that Dr. Seal has regarding Alan's alcohol consumption?

Dr. Seal is concerned that Alan's alcohol consumption may be increasing as a response to stress, which could potentially lead to health issues and complicate any treatment he might prescribe.

What is the significance of the 'pink sheet' that Alan filled out?

The 'pink sheet' is a form that Alan filled out to assess his alcohol consumption. It helps Miss Clark understand the frequency and quantity of his drinking, which is part of the evaluation process for potential health risks.

What does the scale on the 'pink sheet' measure and what does Alan's score indicate?

The scale on the 'pink sheet' measures the risk associated with alcohol consumption, ranging from 0 to 40. Alan's score of six places him in an 'at risk' zone, which is not high risk but could potentially lead to increased stress and health issues.

What is the standard drink size that Miss Clark refers to and how does it compare to Alan's usual consumption?

The standard drink size Miss Clark refers to is typically less than what Alan fills his glass with, indicating that he might be consuming more alcohol than he realizes, which could affect his health and stress levels.

What are the recommended limits for alcohol consumption for healthy women Alan's age according to Miss Clark?

For healthy women Alan's age, it is recommended to have no more than three drinks in one setting and no more than seven drinks in one week to be considered lower or no risk.

What are some of the negative effects of Alan's current drinking habits mentioned in the script?

The negative effects of Alan's drinking habits include increased financial burden due to his preference for expensive wine, waking up feeling unwell after drinking more than he should, and the potential for increased stress rather than reduced stress.

What does Alan consider as the positive aspects of drinking alcohol for him?

Alan considers the taste of good wine and its temporary stress-relieving effects as the positive aspects of drinking alcohol.

What alternatives to alcohol does Alan consider to help manage his stress?

Alan has considered exercise as an alternative to help manage his stress, but he acknowledges that his current schedule makes it difficult to fit in regular physical activity.

What is Alan's level of confidence in his ability to change his drinking habits?

Alan expresses a high level of confidence, rating it a seven or eight out of ten, in his ability to change his drinking habits if it means reducing his stress and improving his overall health.

What is the potential next step for Alan in terms of seeking help for his stress and alcohol consumption?

The potential next step for Alan is to talk to a Behavioral Health Specialist, who may be able to help him explore ways to manage his stress and consider changes to his drinking habits.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Initial Consultation and Alcohol Consumption Concerns

In this paragraph, Alan Lime, a social worker, meets with Miss Clark to discuss her increasing stress and anxiety. Miss Clark reveals that her alcohol consumption has been escalating, which Dr. Seal has noted as a potential concern. Alan assesses her situation using a scale that indicates she is in an 'at-risk' zone for alcohol-related issues. The conversation highlights the negative impact of her drinking on her health and finances, and Miss Clark acknowledges the need to address this issue, despite her initial belief that moderate wine consumption was healthy.

05:01

🔄 Exploring the Impact of Alcohol and Considerations for Medication

This paragraph delves into the potential risks associated with Miss Clark's alcohol consumption, especially in relation to the possibility of medication prescribed by Dr. Seal. Alan discusses the importance of managing her drinking to avoid stress and potential drug interactions. Miss Clark expresses her willingness to either cut back or abstain from alcohol if it means she can receive help for her anxiety. The conversation underscores her motivation to make changes for the sake of her family and personal well-being, and Alan offers resources and the possibility of further support from a Behavioral Health Specialist.

Keywords

💡Social Worker

A social worker is a professional who provides support and assistance to individuals, families, and communities facing various challenges. In the script, Alan Lime is introduced as a social worker at the Family Health Center, indicating his role in helping individuals like Miss Clark with their stress and anxiety issues.

💡Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are emotional and physiological states that can be triggered by various factors and can affect a person's well-being. In the video, Miss Clark is seeking help due to increasing stress and anxiety, which is the central theme of her visit to the Family Health Center.

💡Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol consumption refers to the intake of alcoholic beverages. In the script, Miss Clark mentions that her alcohol intake has been increasing, which raises concerns for Dr. Seal and is a key factor in her discussion with the social worker about potential health risks.

💡At-Risk Zone

The at-risk zone is a term used to describe a situation where an individual's behavior or condition could potentially lead to negative outcomes if not addressed. In the script, Miss Clark's alcohol consumption places her in the at-risk zone, indicating a need for intervention to prevent further issues.

💡Standard Drink Size

A standard drink size is a measure used to quantify the amount of alcohol in a beverage, typically to provide guidance on moderate drinking levels. The script discusses the discrepancy between Miss Clark's perception of a 'glass of wine' and the standard drink size, highlighting a potential misunderstanding that could contribute to her increased alcohol consumption.

💡Health Risks

Health risks are potential negative outcomes or dangers to one's well-being that can result from certain behaviors or conditions. The script emphasizes the health risks associated with Miss Clark's alcohol consumption, including the possibility of increased stress and potential interactions with medications.

💡Financial Burden

Financial burden refers to the economic strain or pressure one faces due to expenses or debt. In the script, Miss Clark's preference for expensive alcohol contributes to her financial stress, which is exacerbated by her increased drinking.

💡Behavior Change

Behavior change involves modifying one's actions or habits to achieve a desired outcome. The script suggests that Miss Clark has had success with behavior change in the past, and it is implied that she may need to consider this approach again to address her current stress and alcohol consumption.

💡Medication Interaction

Medication interaction occurs when one drug affects the way another drug works in the body, which can lead to increased or decreased effectiveness or cause side effects. The script mentions Dr. Seal's concern about potential interactions between any medication he might prescribe and Miss Clark's alcohol consumption.

💡Motivation

Motivation is the drive or desire to take action or achieve a goal. In the script, Miss Clark's motivation to address her drinking and stress is evident, as she acknowledges the importance of making changes for her health and the well-being of her children.

💡Behavioral Health Specialist

A behavioral health specialist is a professional who focuses on the psychological and behavioral aspects of health and wellness. The script suggests that Miss Clark could benefit from speaking with a behavioral health specialist to help her manage stress and potentially reduce her alcohol consumption.

Highlights

Alan Lime, a social worker, meets with Miss Clark to discuss her stress and anxiety issues.

Miss Clark's stress and anxiety have increased, prompting her visit to Dr. Seal.

Dr. Seal is concerned about Miss Clark's alcohol consumption and its relation to her stress.

Miss Clark admits to an increase in alcohol consumption, with more frequent drinking.

A 'pink sheet' is used to assess Miss Clark's alcohol intake and its potential risks.

Miss Clark scores six points on the scale, indicating she is in an 'at risk' zone for alcohol consumption.

The standard drink size is discussed, and Miss Clark may be consuming more than she realizes.

Health guidelines for alcohol consumption are shared, with specific limits for women Miss Clark's age.

Miss Clark acknowledges that her drinking may be contributing to her financial stress.

The temporary relief alcohol provides is contrasted with the increased stress it causes.

Miss Clark expresses a willingness to consider reducing her alcohol intake.

The importance of addressing Miss Clark's drinking is rated as a seven out of ten on a scale of importance.

Miss Clark is confident about her ability to make changes regarding her drinking habits.

The potential interaction between prescribed medication and alcohol is a concern for Dr. Seal.

Miss Clark is open to the idea of completely abstaining from alcohol if required for medication.

Miss Clark's readiness to make changes regarding her drinking is rated as an eight out of ten.

Alan Lime offers Miss Clark the opportunity to speak with a Behavioral Health Specialist for support.

Informational pamphlets on alcohol and medication interactions are provided to Miss Clark.

A follow-up with Dr. Seal is planned to monitor Miss Clark's progress with her changes.

Transcripts

well hi Miss Clark my name is Alan lime

I'm a social worker here at the Family

Health Center um Dr seal asked me if I

would spend some time with you today I'm

really glad that you're here I'm just

curious as to why he would send you to

me well I came to see Dr seal last week

because of increasing Stress and Anxiety

that's kind of getting the best of me

and in the course of um my appointment

with him um he was asking how I was

dealing with that stress and I mentioned

that my one or two glasses of wine a few

nights a week is turning into more

frequent in maybe three or four on some

nights and um he had some concerns about

that and and felt like maybe you could

help me with stress or something yeah so

so he um he also to see me because you

went to him for increased stress and

he's concerned that your alcohol

consumption may be a part of that

increase and prior to prescribing you

anything he wanted to make sure that you

at least had someone to talk to about

that I suppose okay I saw that you

filled in one of the pink sheets may I

take a look at that yeah he told me to

fill that out and bring it with me okay

thank you um so um you say here that you

have four or more drinks in one week um

you mentioned that you may be increasing

that a little bit as well um and that

you have one or two drinks in one

setting typically yeah and that maybe um

monthly you have have more than that um

what what's what kind of drinks do you

have what do you drink when you

typically drink um wine with my meals um

you know again one or two typically

and more frequently um three or four

since my stress is increased so it's

starting to increase you're starting to

drink a little more okay well based on

what you put here you it gives you six

points on this scale um scale ranges

from 0 to 40 so six points will put you

in what we would consider an at risk

Zone um so if it's okay with you I talk

a little bit about that okay okay

um so the at risk Zone say it run 0 to

40 uh it's not it's not a super high

risk but it certainly could be a risk

for maybe increasing stress maybe some

physical elements um related to alcohol

as well uh could could start to show up

if you were to increase your drinking

from there or even stay there um this is

a typical standard drink size over here

I'm not sure whether that fits your

description of a glass of wine or not I

fill the glass up so maybe a little more

than that yeah maybe than a little space

at the top so perhaps a drink drink and

a half each one so that also increase a

little bit more so perhaps maybe

drinking more than you indicated on here

and for woman healthy women your age um

no more than three drinks in one setting

is considered to be lower or no risk and

no more than seven in one week seven

total in one seven total in one week and

what you say here is that even on this

sheet you perhaps already drinking more

than that so what do you make of all

that um that it's news to me you know I

thought red wine with your meals is

supposed to be healthy and you know no

more than seven in a week that seems

kind of prohibitive yeah yeah it seems

seems a little less than perhaps you've

been drinking or the what you consider

to be healthy drinking and certainly

there's there conflicting information

out there about what's healthy and

what's not

healthy Imagine The increased stress is

what what concerned Dr seal um as your

stress increases and if he were to

prescribe you anything maybe some

interaction between the two that that

would also be a concern for him I I

would think um so if you would what is

it that you like about alcohol well you

know it it does at least in the moment

temporarily reduce my stress um and I

you know like a good glass of wine I

don't don't drink the cheap stuff I like

the expensive right so you like the

taste of it and it does help to lower

the stress even which is for that that

time you're drinking what are LS of good

things about alcohol for you um well you

know the nights that maybe I have a

couple more glasses than I should I wake

up feeling kind of yuck and um of course

part of my stress is finances and I

mentioned I like the good stuff and so

if I'm drinking more then I'm increasing

my financial burden yeah so so your

financial stress may be increased by the

fact that you're drinking yeah kind of

um defeating the purpose there 22 the

drinking to stress and increasing stress

at the same time so on the one hand it

lowers it and on the other hand it's

increasing it kind a sea TI effect there

um what do you make of of that given

that on one hand it lowers and the other

hand it increases and and now it's

increasing even more and maybe I need to

find some other way to deal with my

stress mhm yeah and have imagine you've

had some thoughts of that what have you

thought of

trying well I've exercised in the past

and that helps um right now my schedule

is kind of out of whack and um I just

really don't know what to do that's why

I came to see Dr seal I thought maybe he

could prescribe me something that would

to help me you know when I'm feeling

overwhelmed and he may be able to I'm

not saying that he cannot I'm just

imagine that he's concerned that if you

if you continue to drink on the level

that you are drinking whatever he

prescribes you there may be an

interaction with the two um I imagine

that's his concern I'm I'm not

completely sure um so you've had some

success in the past with change in

behaviors and if you were to decide to

to make any changes here it sounds like

you could draw on that to make those

changes how important would it be for

you um on a scale of 0 through 10 I have

a little kind of visual here with that

um if zero is is not important 10 is is

very important to do something about

your drinking right now mhm well I mean

if if it means that it's increasing my

stress and or he's not going to

prescribe me anything because of my

drinking then it's fairly important

maybe about a seven that's that's pretty

up there um why did you choose a seven

not a five or a

four well again I've got to get things

under control you know my kids are

dependent on me and um I've got to go to

work to help ease this financial stress

and so you know all those

responsibilities so there's a lot a lot

writing on your decision here on what to

do with this what if anything will bring

it up to an eight or nine on that

scale

um well the you know the risk that you

mentioned um about the drug interaction

I certainly can't afford to

you know have any more stress

so yeah so so you you choose to lower

your stress rather than increase it and

if lowering your drinking would would

have that effect there something you be

willing to do right how confident are

you that you could do something about

your

drinking um pretty confident you know

probably about a seven or an eight okay

so it's pretty H up there again and what

if what if anything would you choose to

do would it be to cut down would it be

to quit I'm just curious about well I

you know I like I said like a good glass

of wine I don't want to quit altogether

um I'd be willing to try cutting back

but now if it's going to if Dr seal

would agree to prescribe me something

for the anxiety and it meant that I had

to not drink at all I'd be willing to do

that at least for a period of time so

you'd be willing to to stop all together

that's what was indicated by The

Physician okay um so so based on that

how ready are you to do anything right

now whether it's to cut back whether

it's to quit well again you know if if I

can get something to help me manage if

maybe I can find some other way to deal

with the stress then then you know I I'd

be pretty ready i' again maybe about an

on that scale maybe an eight okay so

that's that's pretty high up there as

well um it sounds as though you're

pretty motivated to do something about

this right now giv your responsibilities

giv your children relying on you at this

point and just on on lowering your

anxiety in general it sounds that that's

one of your goals as well well I'm

confident that once you decide to do

whatever it is you decide to do you'll

be able to follow through that based on

your experience in the past of of making

Behavior changes I imagine there some

things that you can draw upon um what's

one thing that you could do I imagine

you thought of some things might help to

low your stress well I you know the the

exercise but again that that's kind of

difficult to fit in right now um hoping

that Dr seal will prescribe something

for me to take when I'm feeling

particularly overwhelmed

and um maybe just having somebody to

talk to to bounc some things off of one

of the things we can offer here is for

you to come in and talk to one of our

Behavioral Health Specialists may be

able to help you talk talk through this

this area of your life this area of

increased stress and sound like

responsibility there and we can make an

appointment for you if you like um

before you leave today to talk to

somebody that' be nice great they also

have some information here if you're

interested um some pamphlet on alcohol

and and how what healthy limits are and

how it may be affected by medications

that you take as well um and I I wish

you lots of luck it sounds as though

you're really committed to making this

shift and this change um and I imagine

Dr SE want to follow up with you and see

how you do with your with your change um

within a few weeks okay um and again I I

look forward to speaking to you in the

future all right thank you very much

you're very welcome