As mental health professionals, guiding clients through their personal journeys is like navigating a diverse and intricate landscape. Each session is an exploration, and our role is to help our clients find their way. To do this effectively, we need tools that provide a complete view of their well-being. With the wisdom of Doctor Strange, we can enhance our practice using elements from the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS) and Session Rating Scale (SRS) combined with the Wheel of Life and the ACT Values Bullseye. Let’s dive into how we can use these tools to enhance our therapeutic practice.

Setting the Compass: Starting with the ORS

At the start of each session, we set our compass with the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS) and expand our inquiry using the Wheel of Life to get a full picture of the client’s well-being. Just as Doctor Strange emphasizes the importance of understanding, we can take a similar approach: “We never lose our demons, we only learn to live above them.” Here’s how we can turn these assessments into a friendly conversation. Please adjust these prompts to fit your own authentic voice:

Personal Well-being:

– “How have you been feeling overall this past week? Any ups or downs?”

– “Have there been any changes in how you’ve been feeling day-to-day?”

Close Relationships:

– “How are things going with your family and close friends? Any noteworthy interactions?”

– “Had any particularly meaningful or challenging moments with the important people in your life?”

Social Life and Work/School:

– “How have your social interactions been this past week? Anything memorable with friends or colleagues?”

– “How’s work or school been treating you? Any highlights or difficulties?”

Overall Well-being:

– “If you had to rate your overall well-being for the past week, how would you describe it?”

– “Have you been feeling generally content, stressed, or somewhere in between?”

Spinning the Wheel: Exploring Life Domains with Doctor Strange

The Wheel of Life breaks down different areas of life to help identify where balance is needed. Just as Doctor Strange uses the Eye of Agamotto to gain a comprehensive view of time, we can use this tool to explore our clients’ life domains. Here’s how you can discuss these areas with your clients:

1. Health and Fitness:

   – “How have you been taking care of your physical health? Any new routines or challenges?”

   – “Are you getting enough rest, exercise, and time for relaxation?”

2. Career and Business:

   – “How’s work going? Any big wins or obstacles lately?”

   – “Is there anything you’d like to change or improve in your professional life?”

3. Finances:

   – “How do you feel about your financial situation these days? Any recent changes or concerns?”

   – “Are you managing your finances in a way that supports your goals and well-being?”

4. Self-Development:

   – “Have you been pursuing any personal growth or learning opportunities?”

   – “Is there something new you’ve learned or something you’d like to explore further?”

5. Family:

   – “How are things with your family? Any significant interactions or conflicts?”

   – “Are there any family relationships you’d like to strengthen or change?”

6. Relationships:

   – “How’s your relationship with your partner or significant other? Any recent developments or concerns?”

   – “If you’re single, how do you feel about your current relationship status?”

7. Lifestyle:

   – “Have you had time for hobbies or activities you enjoy?”

   – “What do you do for fun and relaxation? Are you satisfied with your leisure time?”

8. Home Organization:

   – “How do you feel about your living environment? Is it comfortable and safe?”

   – “Are there any changes you’d like to make to your home or workspace?”

9. Recreation:

   – “Do you engage in recreational activities often? Are they fulfilling?”

   – “What kind of recreational activities do you enjoy the most?”

10. Travel:

    – “Have you had the chance to travel or plan any trips recently?”

    – “How important is travel to you, and are you satisfied with your current level of travel?”

Hitting the Bullseye: Aligning with Values with Doctor Strange

The ACT Values Bullseye helps clients see how closely they’re living according to their values. Much like Doctor Strange aligns his actions with his higher purpose to protect the Multiverse, we can guide clients to align their actions with their core values. Remember Doctor Strange’s words: “The greatest gift we can receive is to have the chance, just once in our lives, to make a difference.” Let’s incorporate this into our conversations to provide deeper insights.

Work/Education:

– “How aligned do you feel your current work or educational pursuits are with your values?”

– “Is there anything in this area that you feel needs more alignment with what you truly value?”

Leisure:

– “Do your leisure activities reflect what you value most in life?”

– “How can you add more value-aligned activities into your free time?”

Personal Growth/Health:

– “In what ways are you nurturing your personal growth and health according to your values?”

– “Are there any changes you’d like to make to better align your personal development and health with your values?”

Relationships:

– “How do your relationships reflect your values? Any adjustments needed?”

– “What steps can you take to ensure your relationships are more in line with your values?”

Mapping the Session: Wrapping Up with the SRS

At the end of each session, we use the Session Rating Scale (SRS) to reflect on our journey together. Here’s how to make this part of the conversation feel natural and engaging, much like Doctor Strange reflecting on the outcomes of his mystical adventures. Remember his advice: “Forget everything you think you know.”

Connection:

– “Did you feel heard and seen today?”

– “Was there anything about our interaction that stood out to you?”

Focus:

– “Did we talk about what you wanted to discuss today?”

– “Is there something you wish we had spent more time on?”

Approach:

– “How did the way we approached things today work for you?”

– “Were there any techniques or methods that you found particularly helpful or not so helpful?”

Overall:

– “Overall, how do you feel about today’s session? Did it meet your expectations?”

– “Is there anything you’d like to change or continue for next time?”

Tips for Guiding the Expedition

Here are a few additional tips to truly make this approach beneficial for mental health professionals:

– Be Adaptable: Every client is different, so be flexible in how you use these tools. Adapt your questions and approach based on each client’s unique needs and circumstances.

– Use Visual Aids: Consider using visual aids like printed or digital versions of the Wheel of Life and Values Bullseye during sessions. This can help clients better understand and engage with the concepts.

– Regular Check-Ins: Make these assessments a regular part of your sessions, but not every session needs to include every question. Rotate through different areas to keep the conversation fresh and comprehensive.

– Encourage Self-Reflection: Encourage clients to reflect on their answers and consider keeping a journal to track their progress over time.

– Share the Journey: Just as Doctor Strange guides and protects the realms, let your clients know you are there to guide them through their personal journey, offering support and insight along the way.

Moving Forward Together

By weaving these tools and conversational prompts into our practice, we can better navigate the therapeutic landscape with the wisdom and guidance of Doctor Strange, ensuring our clients feel heard, understood, and supported on their journey towards well-being. Just as Doctor Strange uses his mystical artifacts to explore and protect different dimensions, we can use these conversational tools to explore and enhance different aspects of our clients’ lives.

Written by Jen Hyatt, a licensed psychotherapist at Storm Haven, Counseling & Wellness in Temecula, California. 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional mental health advice.

Note: The Session Rating Scale (SRS) and the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS) were developed by Scott D. Miller and Barry L. Duncan. These tools are widely used in psychotherapy to assess the quality of the therapeutic relationship and measure client outcomes, ensuring effective and client-centered care.

Disclaimer: Doctor Strange and associated characters are intellectual property of Marvel Comics and Marvel Studios. All references to these characters and their stories are used purely for illustrative and inspirational purposes. This blog post is not affiliated with or endorsed by Marvel Comics, Marvel Studios, or their affiliates. All trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.