The therapeutic method refers to the process by which an instructor, who has been trained in the use of basic tools on psycho-affective treatment, applies them in personal or group consultation to help learners to effectively manage psycho-affective problems.
The psychoaffective disturbed behavior comes from previous experiences where the distressed skier has incorporated tension and anxiety when facing upsetting situations. The way to alleviate this behavior is to unlearn old habits and relearn new strategies. The therapeutic ski lesson is not only geared towards skiers who are affected by psycho-affective complications; it also serves those who find this type of lesson valuable.
Basically, the following aspects are considered in the use of the therapeutic method in a ski lesson:
- It involves the intervention of an instructor who demonstrates true interest, trust, and respect for the learner. Listening attentively and responding with understanding and patience is affirming for the disturbed learner.
- It wields the opportunity for the learner to express feelings and emotions and discuss personal fears and desires, embarrassing behaviors, or feelings of guilt. When this happens he feels less anxious and his self-concept attains a new meaning. Many times, the psychoaffectively disturbed skier cannot, or does not want to, express to a family member or a friend what he is going through, so he turns to a professional who shows real interest and respect for what is happening to him.
- This type of lesson stimulates the learner to increase the knowledge of his own feelings and motivations. This self-understanding should be gradual and not forced.
- By using this method, the instructor tries to teach better behaviors, better attitudes and better thinking, with the objective of allowing the learner to ski with greater emotional efficiency and to recognize himself as a valuable skier.
This complementary method to the traditional ones focuses on the modification of psycho-affective behaviors. In fact, the instructor who uses it concentrates on trying to get the learner to loosen his constricted posture while being able to express the aspects that disturb him. This facilitator applies behavioral practices with mild stimuli such as, for example, if the skier is afraid of not being able to control his speed, he will gradually train him (on top of realigning his technique) in places of a certain affluence until the disturbing stimulus ceases or at least decreases anxiety and body tension. He will then proceed to face a slightly more disturbing stimulus, such as skiing in areas of higher traffic. This method continues until the learner himself can relax while facing increasingly complex psycho-affective situations.
In the therapeutic method the use of reinforcement is of great importance. Whenever the learner demonstrates that he is behaving more effectively, the instructor rewards him with a big smile, a sincere praise or words of approval. The goal of reinforcement is to get the learner to repeat those behaviors that have been praised by the instructor, while ignoring dysfunctional behaviors. The instructor is concerned that the learner, by positively changing his or her behavior, will also change the underlying feelings about it.
When a skier hires an instructor to help him improve, he generally accepts his advice and technical instructions and practices them. The drawback is that affective problems when skiing do not give way easily, that is why the learner who attends a therapeutic lesson must adopt an active intervention, making decisions and assuming his responsibility regarding the implementation of the professional’s suggestions.
The instructor using the therapeutic method must be sensible gifted and have good character. Although these are necessary conditions, they may be not sufficient to be able to intervene in learners with psycho-affective discomfort. The ski pro emotional stability and maturity, together with a balanced personality and the ability to adapt easily to new situations, are essential requirements to solve the problems that occur during sessions.
