TEAM Therapypromotes a concept of “Dangling the Carrot” in which we convey to a client a strong sense of hope and clarify exactly what we have to offer in TEAM therapy. The “carrot” we are offering is relief from the symptoms (e.g., mood struggles, relationship problems, habits/addictions). We “dangle” the carrot by suggesting that positive outcomes are quite plausible as long as the client is able to commit to the hard work necessary to achieve change.Dr. Burns(2011) indicates that “successful use of this technique may serve as a ‘hook’ to encourage the patient to commit to the necessary work to achieve recovery.” Research supports that instillation of hope is an important, if not necessary, component of building positive outcomes in therapy (Snyder & Colleagues, 2000; Yalom, 1995). I remember when I was first learning TEAM Therapy, I worried about whether I had much to offer to clients. While I found the practical tools offered in TEAM Therapy to be exciting, I wondered if I could really deliver powerful and life-changing results to my clients.
Recently, in a training group that I lead, we gathered examples of resistant thoughts that clinicians have regarding “Dangling the Carrot.” Thoughts included things like:
“I haven’t learned enough TEAM therapy to offer much.”
“I don’t want to get people’s hopes up if I can’t deliver.”
“Clients may be disappointed if I Dangle the Carrot, but we don’t see rapid recovery.”
These thoughts reflect the genuine humility of these clinicians. As TEAM therapists, we learn to “leave our ego at the door” and humbly approach the training with a willingness to “fail as fast as we can.” This allows us to learn most quickly as we are exposed to tangible feedback to improve our skills.
Many clinicians wonder: how do we balance remaining humble while we instill hope? I believe we do so by offering an honest assessment of what we have to offer clients and conveying our hopefulness about those tools. Clinicians new to TEAM Therapy may do so by disclosing to clients that they are still learning the model while specifying exactly what they do have to offer (e.g., “I am newly practicing a method that has some really powerful tools. While the tools are still new to me, I strongly believe they could be very helpful for you. Would you be interested in working on those tools together?”). As clinicians commit more time to practicing TEAM Therapy and mastering the methods they may feel empowered to Dangle the Carrot in a more powerful way (e.g., “I’d love to help you with the problems that you’ve described. I have a number of powerful tools that I feel confident could turn your life around. Would you be interested in working on those tools together?”).
Successful use of Dangling the Carrot requires tailoring the delivery to the personality and training of the clinician as well as the needs of the individual client. As a clinician, if you continue to struggle to Dangle the Carrot, you might consider writing out your own negative thoughts about what would happen if you did incorporate this tool. You may find you are able to talk back to those resistant thoughts by balancing hope and humility.
Sources:
Burns, D. B. (2011). Paradoxical agenda setting, basic concepts and techniques, V3 June 2011. Unpublished manuscript.
Snyder, C.R., Feldman, D.B., Taylor, J.D., Schroeder, L.L., & Adams, V.H. (2000). The roles of hopeful thinking in preventing problems and enhancing strengths. Applied and Preventative Psychology, 9, 249–270.
Yalom, I.D. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. New York: Basic Books.
As an expert in mental health and therapy, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the discussion of depression and low self-esteem. With a solid foundation in psychological concepts and therapeutic approaches, I can provide insights and analysis that demonstrate a deep understanding of the subject matter.
The article you've presented discusses the concept of "Dangling the Carrot" in the context of TEAM Therapy, spearheaded by Angela Krumm, Ph.D. The central idea is to instill hope in clients by clearly outlining the positive outcomes achievable through therapy and emphasizing the commitment required for meaningful change.
The "carrot" symbolizes the relief from symptoms such as mood struggles, relationship problems, and habits/addictions. Dr. Burns (2011) suggests that effectively using this technique can act as a hook, encouraging the patient to commit to the necessary work for recovery. This aligns with the broader psychological principle that the instillation of hope is a crucial component in achieving positive outcomes in therapy, as supported by research (Snyder & Colleagues, 2000; Yalom, 1995).
The article addresses common concerns among clinicians, particularly those new to TEAM Therapy, who may doubt their ability to deliver powerful and life-changing results. The importance of balancing humility with instilling hope is highlighted. Clinicians are encouraged to honestly assess what they have to offer while expressing hopefulness about the therapeutic tools at their disposal.
The successful use of "Dangling the Carrot" involves tailoring the delivery to the clinician's personality, training, and the unique needs of each client. The evolution of the clinician's confidence in utilizing this technique is emphasized, from acknowledging a learning phase to confidently presenting the tools available to the client.
The article draws on the concept of "negative thoughts" and suggests that clinicians struggling with "Dangling the Carrot" can address these thoughts by writing them out and challenging them with a balance of hope and humility.
In summary, the article provides valuable insights into the practical application of the "Dangling the Carrot" technique within the framework of TEAM Therapy. It underscores the importance of hope in the therapeutic process and offers guidance for clinicians to navigate their own concerns while effectively conveying optimism to their clients. The sources cited, including Burns (2011), Snyder et al. (2000), and Yalom (1995), lend credibility to the concepts discussed in the article.
