Meeting Patients Where They Are

Welcome to Episode 26 of the Spero Health Clinical Insights Podcast! In this thought-provoking conversation, we’re joined by co-hosts David Hayden, LCADC and VP of Clinical Services at Spero Health, and Dave Hoerman, Dean of Spero University. Together, they unpack a phrase commonly heard in the field of addiction treatment: “Meeting the patient where they are.”

While this expression is widely used, it’s often misunderstood or oversimplified—leading to missed opportunities for deeper connection and growth. David and Dave challenge us to go beyond surface-level behaviors and consider what might be driving them. As they point out, what may appear as resistance or lack of motivation is often rooted in deeper, unspoken struggles. True engagement requires clinicians to look beneath the surface and understand the full context of a patient's experience.

This episode explores the importance of compassionate, ongoing assessment—not just at intake, but throughout the treatment process. David shares how clinicians can better support patients by revisiting goals, evaluating readiness, and recognizing when behaviors don’t align with a patient’s values or desired outcomes. The goal isn’t just to do what’s easiest—it’s to do what’s most effective in helping each patient move forward in recovery.

You’ll hear practical strategies for fostering deeper therapeutic relationships, identifying barriers to progress, and adjusting your clinical approach based on real-time needs. It’s a meaningful reminder that meeting patients where they are doesn’t mean staying there—it means helping them move toward who they want to become.