Identifying and using reinforcers to enhance the treatment of persons withserious mental illness

Successful engagement of clients with serious and persistent mental illness es in the planning and implementation of treatment requires the identificat ion of individualized reinforcers through motivational analyses. Reinforcer surveys are interviews or questionnaires that list numerous objects, perso ns, activities, and settings, and then assess the client's perception of th e value of each item. Such surveys help identify the type of reward that mi ght be useful for motivating the client. If properly assessed and delivered , reinforcers can increase clients' skill acquisition, attainment of goals, and feelings of self-efficacy.