Medication adherence in the United States remains suboptimal; medication nonadherence is a complex issue that requires patience, presence, and perspective. One strategy that has been helpful for improving adherence is a combination of psychotherapy and psychoeducation, that is client-centered and free from counselor-agenda. As clinicians, we are not here to coerce, manipulate, or otherwise unduly influence a client to take their medications. Counseling is a safe place to explore what the client is experiencing and thinking; clients’ needs a safe place to share concerns and explore options. Clients do not lose their rights to autonomy when they enter counseling and receive mental health/ substance use disorder diagnoses. Clinicians remain focused on the client’s initial presenting issues and concerns without inserting a counselor agenda and bias; treatment includes psychotherapy, intervention and
education. Clients often are more likely to consider medications when they believe that they are deciding independently, without coercion, to make needed changes. Motivational interviewing (open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections and summarizations) and empathy are very helpful for enhancing the client’s knowledge about medications, feelings of self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, and medication adherence.
Give a minimum of four (4) reasons why a client might engage in medication nonadherence.,
What are systemic barriers to medication adherence? Give at least one (1) cultural example where
medication nonadherence is a factor that we might face.,
What are counseling techniques that have the potential to improve adherence?,
What are counseling techniques that have the potential to decrease adherence?,
What is appropriate information for you to get from the prescriber that might help you when working
with your client around medication adherence and nonadherence?,
How would you want to be treated if you were in your client’s shoes skeptical about the use of
medications for treatment of mental health and/or substance use disorders?
Your Assignment will be 3 to 5 pages in length, not including cover page or references page. Be sure to
support your Assignment with specific references from the literature, text, and resources. In addition to
the Learning Resources, search the Walden Library and/or the internet for peer-reviewed academic
literature to support your Assignment. This Assignment must utilize appropriate APA format and
citations.