Counsellor Information

Giving Rationale

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Giving a Rationale - Instructions for the Advisor

A rationale is an acceptable explanation for the state of mind of the client. The aim of this in

the guidance is to give hope and perspective. The symptoms the client is experiencing are a

normal reaction to a stressful situation. Symptoms act as a warning. Within the Stimulus-

Cognition-Response (SCR) model a rationale can be viewed as a cognitive intervention.

Having a different rationale enables the client to look at the whole situation. This is a good

starting point for the beginning of the guidance. Give a metaphor to aid the client’s

understanding.

An example is the scale metaphor (see below). The scale metaphor illustrates that there is a

balance between burden and capacity. When the equilibrium is disrupted the solution can be

to rebalance the scales. The workload should be temporarily reduced (less work, fewer

obligations, etc.) or the ‘carrying’ capacity should be increased (more social support

mobilization, better time management, better relaxation, better physical conditions, etc.).

The handout on overload can be used to help provide an understanding. The client can use this information to understand his situation from a broader perspective.

Offering a rationale to the client is important right from the beginning of your guidance. A rationale can be given repeatedly, possibly in a revised form.

Translated into English by S.E. Lagerveld and S Carolan (2011) 6 Translated into English by S.E. Lagerveld and S Carolan (2011)

6

Giving a Rationale

Instructions for the Advisor

PPAZ

Prevention of psychological disability

for self-employed people

A rationale is an acceptable explanation for the state of mind of the client. The aim of this in the

guidance is to give hope and perspective. The symptoms the client is experiencing are a normal

reaction to a stressful situation. Symptoms act as a warning. Within the Stimulus-Cognition-Response

(SCR) model a rationale can be viewed as a cognitive intervention. Having a different rationale

enables the client to look at the whole situation. This is a good starting point for the beginning of the

guidance. Give a metaphor to aid the client’s understanding.

An example is the scale metaphor (see below). The scale metaphor illustrates that there is a balance

between burden and capacity. When the equilibrium is disrupted the solution can be to rebalance the

scales. The workload should be temporarily reduced (less work, fewer obligations, etc.) or the

‘carrying’ capacity should be increased (more social support mobilisation, better time management,

better relaxation, better physical conditions, etc.).

The leaflet on overload can be used to help provide an understanding. The client can use this

information to understand his situation from a broader perspective.

Offering a rationale to the client is important right from the beginning of your guidance. A rationale

can be given repeatedly, possibly in a revised form.

Workload/burden capacity

Obligations (work, family, leisure) mental strength Life events physical strength

Problems social supports

autonomy/ control