examples of short client statements and practitioner responses. What are these exchanges and then decide if the practitioner's response is consistent with the spirit of Ml (thumbs up) or (thumbs down).

1.Sarah's husband (Richard):I'm just furious that she lied to me and had this affair behind my back. I can't believe I didn't see it. I feel like such an idiot.

Practitioner: In retrospect, what signs did you overlook?

Thumbs up Thumbs down

Why?

2.Arthur:I know my dad told you I'm depressed, but I'm not. Just because I don't want to play football doesn't mean I'm depressed.

Practicioner: Your father is worrying needlessly. What do you think he's seeing that makes him worry this way? Thumbs up Thumbs down

Why?

3. Tanya:I need to come up with some sort of plan to help me get back on track now. This health crisis has thrown me for a loop. I can't think about anything else. What do you think I should do?

Practitioner: Well, I have some ideas about what might help,. but first let me hear what you've already considered. Thumbs up Thumbs down

Why?

4.Arthur:I'm not going to keep that stupid thought journal. How does it help me to monitor my "loser" thinking? I'm coming here to feel better, and paying attention to all that makes me feel worse.

Practitioner: OK, Arthur, you might be right. This works for many folks, but not everyone. Maybe we need to try a different way to approach this. We've talked about other ways to address this issue. What makes sense to you to practice instead?

Thumbs up Thumbs down

Why?

Rating Samples for Ml Spirit(p. 2 of 2)

5. Tanya: They told me I have to have this surgery right away. But I don't trust them, so I haven't scheduled it yet.

Practitioner: Why take the chance? They're the experts, after all. Let's call from this phone right now-maybe you can get in this week.

Thumbs up Thumbs down

Why?

6. Sarah: I've had it with Richard's guilt mongering. Okay, so I had an affair. I'm ready to end it and start working on our marriage, but I don't think he's ever going to let me forget it. Maybe we should just get a divorce.

Practitioner: Sarah, you are the only one who can decide if you should stay in this marriage or leave it. I wonder what signs you would need to feel more optimistic about working on things with Richard.

Thumbs upThumbs down

Why?

7. Arthur's mother(Peggy): They had a little "surprise party" for me. Everyone showed up when I wasn't looking and then spent the next 2 hours telling me how my drinking hurt them. They think I'm an alcoholic! I might have a drinking problem, but I'm damn sure not an alcoholic.

Practitioner: (gently) Peggy, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck. I think if all those people are telling you you're an alcoholic, they're probably right. You might be in denial, don't you think?

Thumbs up Thumbs down

Why?

8. Arthur's father (Lloyd): I think Arthur is taking over too many of the household responsibilities. A boy his age ought tobe playing sports and chasing girls. Instead, he's worrying about his younger brother and how the house looks. He even does laundry. I can tell you I never did that at his age. But when I try to push him toward more normal things, like football, he just gets mad at me and says I don't understand him. What am I supposed to do?

Practitioner: In families where alcohol has been a problem, it often works like this. What if you tried the chess club or the school newspaper instead of pushing him toward football? I think he'd be more receptive to that. I don't think you recognize how smart Arthur is. It could be that he will never be all that interested in football.

Thumbs up Thumbs down

Why?

9. Tanya: My doctor gave me a long list of all the things I have to do to manage my care. It's overwhelming. I have to take medication three times a day. I can't even remember to feed my dog every single day. I just can't do it. But I'm afraid I'll die if I don't.

Practitioner: (encouraging) You can do it. You have to!

Thumbs upThumbs down

Why?