Case of Jacob, as previously stated, his family is in therapy with struggles as a whole. This particular intervention could be beneficial to not only mandated clients, but to individuals and families who are struggling with adolescent, deviant behavior.

After building a relationship wit Jacob, using motivation therapy, and applying change talk, may help him analyze his past behavior and create goals to make better decisions.

Why should I talk to you?” A court mandated client sits in your office, required to participate in therapy as part of their treatment plan. You feel on edge, frustrated at their lack of engagement, maybe even resentful of the mental and emotional blocks that prevent rapport and valuable change.

Clear communication is crucial for engagement with involuntary clients. Engagement can be improved by making clear at every contact what the purpose of the intervention is, what the client has control over and what they do not, what is going to happen next and what the likely consequences will be.