Brainstorming (Core Competencies: 1.3; 1.4; 1.7; 2.7; 2.8; 3.3; 3.5; 4.4; 4.7; 4.8; 4.11; 4.13; 4.18) Brainstorming is a collaborative way for peers to generate ideas for addressing any planning challenge. Planning challenges typically include identifying multiple options for what to move toward, addressing a barrier to recovery, and identifying supports for change. Here are the five steps in the brainstorming process: Step 1 . Peer identifies a challenge. The challenge could include a barrier to change, lack of supports or resources, or how to address a difficult problem. The more specific and concrete the challenge can be identified, the more effective the brainstorm will be. Step 2 . Certified peer specialist sets the stage for the brainstorm by providing these instructions: "We are going to work together to identify all possible ideas regarding this challenge. All ideas are valid. We are going to think out of the box. You are the expert here, but my job is to encourage your ideas. Ready?" Step 3 . Begin the brainstorm. Ask for the peer's ideas and note these in a list. Encourage ideas by asking the open question "What else?" (not the closed question "Anything else?"). Be patient and give the peer time to think. Refrain from jumping in with your good ideas. Ask for elaboration ("Tell me more about that idea.") to encourage sharing. In this step, be sure to affirm the peer's expertise and lived experience. Also, be sure to demonstrate listening with frequent reflective listening statements. Once the peer seems to be running out of ideas, feel free to contribute to the brainstorm using the Ask-Share-Ask procedure. Step 4 . Once all ideas have been exhausted, have the peer review. "There are a lot of really creative, solid ideas here. Given that you know yourself the best, which ideas might be the most useful for you to put into action?" Try to have the peer narrow down to the top one or two actionable ideas. Step 5 . Document the results of the brainstorm and the one or two ideas on the recovery plan for future reference. It will be useful to return to these ideas as the plan unfolds to revise, adjust, or brainstorm another list.
This exercise was adapted from the Canadian Mental Health Association’s “Peer Support Teaching Manual.”
232
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online