This element involves  educating the client  to ensure that s/he has a mental understanding of the skill or behaviour to be learned.

Specific techniques include verbal  description and explanation of the skill or behaviour, elaboration through discussion of examples or case studies of a fictional character, and demonstrative modelling by the practitioner or the use of audiovisual materials.

Introduce and explain concepts that the client is unfamiliar with.

Clients are likely to react  more  positively  to a practitioner who  demonstrates imperfect skills and is willing  to make mistakes and look foolish compared to one who has expert  skills (Dobson & Dobson, 2009). Clients are also more likely to make  an effort themselves after observing an inexpert but somewhat competent model. Clients appreciate practitioners who  take risks in the session; such actions make it easier for them to take risks too (Dobson & Dobson, 2009; p100).