D.I.G.

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THE D.I.G. TECHNIQUE Two to four sessions of 20 minutes. Discussion of ideas for improving the ability to change thinking and self-statements and to adopt coping attitudes such as optimism, flexibility and gratitude to deal with unavoidable stresses. As well, we might enjoy teaching specific techniques as listed below and in the 12 KEYS Sometimes the patient is bogged down in anxiety and depression and they want to 'feel better'. But they have no clear idea of what they want their lives to look like far into the future. This makes it hard to target our efforts, and hard to see them being passionate and therefore likely to be successful at making changes. Consider the D.I.G. Technique. This can be done in about 15 minutes and has three parts: Dream, Initiate, Get Going (Adapted from Dr. Vincent Poon, Toronto) D - Dream a Miracle: Ask the patient "Suppose a miracle were to happen overnight and your problem was suddenly solved". • What would you notice that was different in your life? • How will you know the miracle has happened? • What will other people notice - and say? • How would you have changed? • How might other people in your life behave differently? • How will you feel? • What will you do differently? This helps the patient decide what they would really like to change, and increases motivation I Initiate the First Small Step "What do you suppose it would take for you to start to move from where you are now to where you want to be? What is the first small step you can take towards __________.?" "Can you give an example?" D’you think when you start doing ______ that things will improve? You can help them to come up with possible solutions by giving examples from other patients - real or imaginary - and by using the 'problem solving' sheets G Get Going "When do you think you are going to take the first small step?" "Will it be today?" You can push gently to get some kind of commitment, then follow up to identify problems and new obstacles.