Targeted motivational interviewing techniques assist the process of verbal de-escalation in vocational rehabilitation

BACKGROUND: In response to a request for training by a state vocational rehabilitation unit on verbal de-escalation for staff, the authors searched the literature on de-escalation best practices specifically in the context of vocational rehabilitation. There was a paucity of literature on the topic. To meet the training request for the state vocational rehabilitation staff, the authors paired the psychometrically validated English Modified De-Escalating Aggressive Behaviour Scale (EMDABS) best practices with Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques to support verbal de-escalation. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to describe the best practices of the EMDABS and how certain MI techniques and attitudes can support verbal de-escalation efforts by staff in the vocational rehabilitation process. METHODS: The authors searched literature on de-escalation best practices specifically in the context of vocational rehabilitation. RESULTS: The authors found the psychometrically validated EMDABS best practices paired with MI techniques are potential useful tools to support verbal de-escalation in the process of vocational rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: MI techniques and the EMDABS best practices are useful tools for vocational rehabilitation and employment services staff. Research is needed regarding the applicability of these techniques and practices across the full range of vocational rehabilitation clients.