Our process (https://sdmny.hunter.cuny.edu/our-process/) involves three phases and is centered on what we call “The Big Four”; which areas the Decision maker wants support in; who s/he wants to support her/him in a particular area; what kind of support s/he wants; and how s/he wants to receive that support. They are:

Phase 1: The facilitator works with DM to learn about how he or she communicates, makes decisions, what kinds of decisions are likely to arise in the long and short term, and who are the important people in the DM’s life from whom she or he may choose trusted supporters.

Phase 2: The facilitator works with the supporters the DM has chosen, educating them about SDM, and helping them “reposition” from people who make decisions for the DM, to supporting her or him in making her or his own decisions, including consideration of the “dignity of risk.”

Phase 3: The facilitator works with the DM and her or his chosen supporters to negotiate the SDMA, to ensure that all parties understand their roles, obligations and responsibilities; prepares a draft of the SDMA that all parties review and may alter; and oversees the signing of a final version.