I have some patients who enjoy coming to see me, have me listen to them, and guide them… but they don’t make any changes to help themselves feel better (whether it’s physically or mentally). To me, they seem to enjoy being in that place (I could be wrong) of suffering. I don’t think I am judging? I have seen these people long enough to see a pattern of indulging in “being sick.”
As a healthcare provider, and now learning this self coaching skill, how should I guide them? If they don’t want to feel better… do I just give them what they want during their sessions (listening, treating, nurturing), and be settled with the fact that they will never get better (in my view)?