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JoAnne Lucich, Ph.D. - Director of Outpatient Services
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We often include assertiveness training in our patients' individual treatment plans. Failing to use assertiveness, under appropriate conditions, in order to meet one's needs can be associated with clinical depression and other symptoms associated with distress. Using assertiveness under the appropriate circumstances can contribute to reduced symptoms and distress and increased functioning.
Patients have different reasons for refraining from using assertiveness. Some patients know how to be assertive, but are afraid to use this important skill. These patients are offered appropriate treatment, skills training and therapeutic support in tandem with assertiveness training. For some patients, the fear of using assertiveness is realistic. We do not encourage patients to use assertiveness in situations which are likely to result in their harm or the harm of other individuals in their lives. There are other patients who have solely relied upon passivity or aggression because of an absence of skills in this area.
We provide patients with the opportunity to learn how passive or aggressive behavior can contribute to the maintenance of symptoms and distress in life. Patients are assisted in specifically identifying the events which signal an important need, as well as the accompanying thoughts, emotions and actions.
We teach patients to identify one need which is fundamental to their treatment goals and realistic to achieve. We encourage patients to practice assertiveness during the treatment day - in groups, with their case manager, with their physician, during lunch with their peers - as well as in their lives outside of treatment. We teach assertiveness in a structured manner, as this is a new skill for many of our patients - who come to us, at times, with a considerable sense of being overwhelmed and under conditions of acute and chronic stress.
In summary, patients learn to distinguish assertiveness from passivity and aggression. They then learn to identify a realistic need, which is important in their recovery. Patients then learn to translate this need into a 3-part assertive request. Patients practice this during treatment and apply it in their lives.
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