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Monday, October 3, 2011

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Help with difficult decisions

 Simple + useful=elegant.
There are so many decisions to make as we traverse our own life path.  Some are real dilemmas---difficult; sometimes they are so unclear that we get immobilized.  We can't move, can't choose, and so we stay stuck.  Here is a simple assist, courtesy of my colleague, Charlton Hall.
if you have a thorny problem, try out this simple method as a way to begin sorting it out.

"I have a tool I use, called a 'Cost-Benefit Analysis.' When a client has a decision to make, we do a 'CBA Sheet.' This is a sheet of paper divided into four quadrants. The quadrants are: 1. Costs of doing this; 2. Benefits of doing this; 3. Costs of not doing this, and 4. Benefits of not doing this."
We try to cover all possible ramifications in session. That way I avoid giving them advice by presenting them with all the options and letting them decide. It becomes a great way to dialogue about what goals they, themselves really have for their own lives.
Here's a link to the actual worksheet I use": http://www.mindfulfamilytherapy.com/Resources/CBA%20Sheet.pdf

Charlton Hall, MMFT, LMFT
Did you try this or something like it?  Please share your comment.

1 comment:

  1. Good post... and timely. I've used a version of this, not only with my clients, but with my children. This is a great way to help people make rational, well thought out decisions. While the decision may not be the best all the time, there is the knowledge that they did the best they could with the information they had on hand at the time. Helping people gain clarity is a big part of what we do as therapists and this strategy, when used in life can prove to be very helpful. Thanks for the reminder!

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