Day in and day out, information comes flooding in through our senses. As we know, it rattles around until our brains decide what to do with this information. So, what and how we approach treatment matters.
The marinating of information is what I call The What. Incoming data, processing, incoming data, processing, and repeat. As professionals, we drive toward knowledge. We want to understand the climate of clients, services, and communities in present-day circumstances. Our brains, like sponges, absorb the nuances of the work we wake up passionate about each day. We know so much, do so much, and carry so much. And we even heal ourselves along the way by supporting the systems, families, and tasks to improve life. In short, that’s quite spectacular.
The How of Treatment Matters
Still, times of overload, long to-do lists, and deadlines make us miss things. And what may get lost is the practice of best providing those services. We may miss an element of support, better communication, and resources for those we serve. Nevertheless, that execution of the information rattling in our brilliant brains is what I call The How.
The How may be the most important thing we do in our work. And yet, it may be the first thing to get overlooked. With to-do lists, a check next to each item means we succeed in completing the list. But is that really the case? Does the check mark indicate we completed each item in the best way or with the best approach? No. The check means it got completed to a desired level of execution or ending. So, we know the starting line (the information input) and the finish line (execution of task). But what about the middle—the process? The How.
The How is our approach, our mindset, efforts, and intentions. It’s the platforms we use and the steps that we choose. It’s the communication we engage in with people. Our How impacts everything and underpins why treatment matters.
An Example of The Meaning of ‘How’
Let me provide an example. I’m working with a client who hasn’t had success with previous treatment providers. He’s identified as “resistive….not engaged….indifferent.” Well, you get the picture. MY How is to approach the client as though he hasn’t gotten taught in the way he best learns. I avoid the use of various multi-syllable words. Also, I prompt the client to repeat back to me what we just discussed in his own words.
We discuss the translation of information into his personal environment. And we practice directly during sessions some of the things he’s to follow-through with once our meeting ends. My How was to provide him with multiple levels and layers of information, tools, and direct practice. And I had to do it before he steps a single foot out of my office. Multi-modal processes. My process with this client is to assume he’s not the problem. Instead, it’s to consider whether the way the world interacts with him may create barriers to his success.
Does it take longer? Yes. Does he progress further? Undoubtedly yes. Was it more work for me? Not in the slightest. Is it an intentional effort toward equity and inclusion? Also, yes. It’s all part of my practiced process.
Intentional Effort to Focus Treatment on Each Person’s Needs
The How is our use of adaptations, compensatory strategies, and accommodations for those we serve. The How is our intentional effort to eliminate the one-size-fits-all approaches. It’s intended to enable automatic flexibility in effort, attitudes, and methods. Learning new information is exciting! Applying this information to each system, person, and community in a personalized way is how you work in your field of choice knowing you providing best practice. And that it’s not just checking off boxes.
So, take the time to learn new methods, approaches, and strategies to work with clients. This is more than theories—this is practice. Present information verbally, visually, and kinesthetically. Use technology supports, muscle memory efforts, and repetition. Give your clients the best chance for progress. Your How is the key to your success and to the success of those you support. Once it clicks, it may become the joy of your work actions that lead you to further investment in the field. Your How is you!
