Reframing: Exploring Impact of Ideology on Self-Esteem among Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumers

1. Reframing: Exploring Impact of Ideology on Self-Esteem among Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumers Alison Aubrecht, M.A., DCC, LPCC & Justin Small, M.S. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division Mental Health Program

2. Agenda • Program information • Introduction to the idea of Reframing • Discussion: Theoretical Foundations • Examples of Reframing • Questions/Discussion

3. DHHSD Mental Health Program • History • 4 Specialists, Program Director, MH Interpreter • Locations • Services offered • Population Served

4. Activity • Don’t think of a. . . • Lemon

5. A word about Ideology • Ideology is the picture or concept that we have accepted in conjugation with a word. • Lemon: yellow fruit. Sour. • McDonalds Commercial • Our understanding of words drives our attitudes, biases, and ways we behave. • Ideology also has the power to influence our dialogues. • Reframing is, in essence, about ideological shifts.

6. What is Reframing Definition http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2008/04/13/you_wont_like_this_article/

7. Theoretical Foundations • Major Players in the area of Cognitive Reframing Aaron Beck • Cognitive Therapy Albert Ellis • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)

8. Key Concepts of Cognitive Reframing • Problem is with one’s thinking • Distorted • Maladaptive • Teach ourselves to believe, therefore we feel bad • Objective: • Change our thinking to conform to reality • Assumption: • We can be taught to think differently • If we think differently, we will feel better

9. Types of Reframing • Context Reframing Is the ability to take a negative situation and make it positive in another context. • Content Reframing This is the ability to change what a situation means to you. http://www2p.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/14356390/2/istockphoto_14356390-very-messy-room.jpg http://blog.bioethics.net/2008/11/where-it-rains-theres-autism/

10. Disability • What images does this word evoke? • How would you describe “Disability” • Ultimately, what ideology is associated with “disability” and where does this come from?

11. Disability- Impact on Self-Esteem • Emotional Impact • Helplessness • Low Self-Efficacy • Withdrawing and resentment • Irrational v. Rational thinking • Can Do • Can’t Do • Ways we reinforce that thinking • Action • Inaction • Language

12. Reframing: An Example • Paul Jacobs sample http://agbell.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=657 • Aubrecht’s Response http://www.clercscar.com/?tag=alison-l-aubrecht

13. Reframing Activity • New list for Disability: If an ideological shift occurred, what would our “images” of disability be? • What are some ways we can reinforce this new ideology? Think: • Individually • Socially • Environmentally • Consider the “R-Word” campaign

14. List of Tools • Use humor– this is the essential tool • Try out different words to see how they feel • Challenge yourself • Don’t get stuck in someone else’s ideological frame. For example, when asked a question, carefully examine the frame from which the question is being asked. • Instead of immediately accepting a message or belief, try to learn more about the root/influence.

15. Questions?

16. Resources • http://www.rebt.ws/ • http://www.beckinstitute.org • http://www.personal.kent.edu/~dfresco/CBT_Readings/Cognitive_Work.pdf