EPISODE · Mar 10, 2026 · 20 MIN
When Helping Too Much Backfires: Prompt Dependency in Therapy
from MI for Change: Motivational Interviewing in ABA & Mental Health · host Monica Gilbert
Helping your clients sounds like the right thing to do.But sometimes… helping too much actually creates the opposite of what we want.In this episode of MI for Change, we talk about prompt dependency — a concept familiar in ABA, but one that shows up in therapy, parent coaching, and leadership as well.Prompt dependency happens when clients begin to rely on the therapist for answers, direction, or solutions… instead of developing the confidence to problem-solve on their own.And often, it happens with the best intentions.In this episode we explore:What prompt dependency actually looks like in therapyWhy over-helping feels good to the therapist (even when it backfires)How giving answers too quickly blocks autonomy and confidenceWhy silence can be one of the most powerful clinical toolsHow Motivational Interviewing shifts us from directing to evokingBecause the real goal of therapy isn’t to be needed forever.It’s to help clients realize they don’t need us as much as they thought.Learn more about Motivational Interviewing and explore on-demand courses at www.drmonicagilbert.comJoin the MI Academy for practical training and resources — and enjoy an exclusive 15% off with code MIFORCHANGE at checkout.📲 Connect with me on Instagram: @drmonicagilbert
Embed this episode
What this episode covers
Helping your clients sounds like the right thing to do. But sometimes… helping too much actually creates the opposite of what we want. In this episode of MI for Change, we talk about prompt dependency — a concept familiar in ABA, but one that shows up in therapy, parent coaching, and leadership as well. Prompt dependency happens when clients begin to rely on the therapist for answers, direction, or solutions… instead of developing the confidence to problem-solve on their own. And often, it ha...
NOW PLAYING
When Helping Too Much Backfires: Prompt Dependency in Therapy
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.