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Basic remotivation therapy can be defined as a simple, group
therapy of an objective nature designed in an effort to reach
the unwounded areas of a person's personality in order to get
them moving, once again, in the direction of reality.
The definition of remotivation therapy, can be understood
better by looking at its two key elements:
Objective-The topics of remotivation therapy sessions are
objective. The content of the groups is " . . . on the reality
all humans share rather than the subjective reality of the self
that only 'I' experience" (Bierma, 1998, p. 9). For example,
a group of people can all experience a rainbow. The objective
aspects of a rainbow would include that it appears in the sky
when the sun shines and it is raining. The colors of the rainbow
would also be objective. These aspects of a rainbow are objective
because they are all things that all people see when they look
at a rainbow. Subjective aspects of a rainbow could include the
concept of peace. One person could look at a rainbow and feel
at peace because he or she experienced a rainbow during a good
time in his or her life. Another person could look at the same
rainbow and subjectively could associate negative feelings with
a rainbow. Basic remotivation only discusses the objective aspects
of a topic; the things all people can experience.
Unwounded areas-Remotivation therapy also works with the
unwounded areas of a person's personality. Remotivation does
not attempt to work with the aspects of a person which have been
effected by a mental or physical illness. Remotivation works
with the healthy or unwounded areas and works to enhance these
areas. In the same regard, a remotivation therapist demonstrates
acceptance of a group member's behavior whether it is positive
or negative. If a group member demonstrates negative behaviors
such as delusions/hallucinations the therapist simply redirects
the group member. The therapist does not attempt to correct the
behavior.
A remotivation therapy session is comprised of five, structured
steps. These steps are as follows:
Step 1: Climate of Acceptance-The Climate of Acceptance
is the step during which the group leader individually greets
each group member and welcomes them to the group. The group leader
also says something positive to each of the group members.
Step 2: The Bridge to Reality-The Bridge to Reality is
where several leading questions are asked which build up to the
topic of the session.
Step 3: Sharing the World We Live In-Sharing the World
We Live In is where the topic of the session is discussed in depth.
Step 4: An Appreciation of the Work of the World-An Appreciation
of the Work of the World is where a "work" or "doing"
aspect of the topic is discussed.
Step 5: Climate of Appreciation-The Climate of Appreciation
is the final step in a remotivation therapy session. During this
step, the group leader makes a summary of the group and announces
the time, date, and location of the next session. The group leader
also thanks each group member individually for their contributions
to the session.
This was a brief explanation of basic remotivation therapy and
is, by no means, enough information to actually conduct a remotivation
therapy group. For more information or for information on training
in basic remotivation therapy, contact Jason Meixsell, NRTO Web
Page Administrator at MeixsellJJ@aol.com
Bierma, J. (1998). Remotivation group therapy: Handbook
for the basic course. Andover, MA: National Remotivation
Therapy Organization, Inc.