Definition of a Positive Influence
- A positive influence is an act or ongoing event that helps another person to improve.
- A positive influence causes others to examine and change their behavior so that growth takes place.
One of the best ways to have a positive influence on someone’s life is through the development of a relationship.
Significant Treatment Outcomes that result from Positive DCP-Individual Relationships
- There is a positive effect on the individual’s behavior
- There is more communication between the individual and the DCP
- The treatment environment is more pleasant
- The individual is likely to spend more time with the DCP
- The individual positively influences others
Assessing a Relationship
Does the individual:
- Seek you out for help on projects?
- Spend free time with you?
- The treatment environment is more pleasant
- Invite you to join activities with his or her friends?
- Ask you to notice good things he or she has done?
- Offer to help you do things (volunteer)?
- Ask you for responsibilities?
- Assist you in some way?
- Show that he or she likes you in the presence of his or her friends?
- Say nice things about you to his or her friends?
“Liked” Behaviors
“Liked” Behaviors are behaviors, identified through research, that when engaged in by staff help to promote positive and influential relationships with the individuals in their care. DCPs should engage in “liked” behaviors most of the time.
Examples:
- Use a calm tone of voice
- Use polite manners (e.g. “Please,” “Thanks,” “Hello,” “Excuse me”)
- Put on a pleasant face (smiles)
- Offer to help the individual(s)
- Explain what to do/how to do something
- Notice the individual’s positive behaviors
- Show enthusiasm and a positive attitude; have fun
- Show a caring concern for the individual
- Avoid making caustic remarks
“Disliked” Behaviors
“Disliked” Behaviors are behaviors, identified through research, that negatively impact staff’s ability to promote positive and influential relationships with the individuals in their care. DCPs should strive to avoid engaging in “disliked” behaviors.
Examples:
- Focusing on what the individual did wrong
- Blocking opportunities for the individual to speak
- Using profanity
- Making caustic remarks
- Using a loud voice
- Finding fault
- Being unfriendly
- Being unpleasant
- Physically hurting someone
Trauma Informed Care Approach to Building Relationships
DON'Ts
- Don’t make promises you can’t or don’t expect to keep.
- Don’t try to buy the individual’s respect with gifts or special privileges.
- Don’t loan or borrow money or objects from the individual.
- Don’t discuss your opinions of other individuals, family members, co-workers, your supervisor or other team members with the individual.
- Don’t ask the individual to conduct personal favors for you.
- Don’t ask the individual to assume staff responsibility.
- Don’t engage in interactions or behaviors that the individual can misconstrue as being aggressive or sexual in nature.
- Don’t express any personal prejudices to the individual or use offensive terms.
DOs
- Know the individual’s triggers, i.e. what provokes “flashbacks” and fight or flight reactions
- Help the individual develop ways to communicate feelings of distress and how to ask for help.
- “Check in” with the individual about his/her sense of feeling safe.
- Help the individual to use self-calming strategies to decrease emotional distress.
- Remain within the scope of your role, as you listen, answer questions and offer support.
- “Know thyself” i.e. know how you react to the individuals in your care.
- Be aware of past trauma in your own life.
- Develop your knowledge of trauma informed care, including an understanding of the vulnerabilities and triggers of trauma survivors that may exist in traditional service settings.
