(En inglés)
Motivational Interviewing Debriefs: Parent-Teacher
Narrator: It seems both of you are willing to continue this conversation at another time. What allowed this conversation to continue without ending poorly?
Ms. Jefferson: Well, I do think conversations like this can be challenging, especially when we have an idea about what we think would be helpful and a parent doesn’t agree or has other ideas. I think
conversations like this can end badly when a parent doesn’t trust us or when we try to convince a parent to do something or somehow force them to try to agree with us.
The truth is, I do think that having the mental health consultant observe is helpful, but, it is far more important to have Mary on board and for us to work together to try to figure out how to better meet Joe’s needs in the class.
Mary: At first I thought that Ms. Jefferson was going to blame me or blame Joe for what was going on in the classroom. That would have been a deal breaker. As much as I like Ms. Jefferson, I would not have continued to talk with her if she tried to force me to do something or judge me. I’ve had enough conversations like that.
I know we don’t totally agree on what would help, but, I’m just not sure that I agree with the mental health consultant. I feel like Ms. Jefferson really heard my concerns and is willing to work with me. She knows I want what is best for him.