A client with panic attacks is told to relax the jaw muscle for three minutes daily. This illustrates which approach?

A client with panic attacks is told to relax the jaw muscle for three minutes daily. This illustrates which approach?

• A. Cognitive restructuring
• B. Reflection
• C. Directive
• D. Supportive dialogue

Answer: (C)

A directive approach is at work here. It involves giving the client explicit, concrete instructions to perform a coping skill. Telling someone with panic to relax the jaw muscle for a specific amount of time each day provides a clear, actionable task aimed at reducing physiological arousal, which is a common management strategy for anxiety and panic symptoms. This isn’t about changing thoughts or beliefs (that would be cognitive restructuring), nor is it about reflecting the client’s statements back to them (that would be reflection). It also isn’t just about providing emotional support or listening without guidance (that would be supportive dialogue). The key here is the specific instruction to practice a skill, which is characteristic of a directive technique.

A directive approach is at work here. It involves giving the client explicit, concrete instructions to perform a coping skill. Telling someone with panic to relax the jaw muscle for a specific amount of time each day provides a clear, actionable task aimed at reducing physiological arousal, which is a common management strategy for anxiety and panic symptoms.

This isn’t about changing thoughts or beliefs (that would be cognitive restructuring), nor is it about reflecting the client’s statements back to them (that would be reflection). It also isn’t just about providing emotional support or listening without guidance (that would be supportive dialogue). The key here is the specific instruction to practice a skill, which is characteristic of a directive technique.