Which type of reflection captures both sides of ambivalence in a single sentence, often joined by 'and'?

Which type of reflection captures both sides of ambivalence in a single sentence, often joined by 'and'?

• A. Acknowledgment
• B. Metaphor Reflection
• C. Double-Sided Reflection
• D. Summary

Answer: (C)

Ambivalence is best captured when you acknowledge both sides in one breath. A double-sided reflection does this by naming a desire or goal on one side and a barrier or conflicting feeling on the other, connected by and. For example, you might say: “You want to improve your health, and you’re worried you won’t have time to exercise.” This kind of reflection holds the tension between change and barrier, validating the client’s mixed feelings while prompting exploration of what change would take. It’s more effective for surfacing ambivalence than a simple acknowledgment (which just notes feelings), a metaphor reflection (which uses imagery), or a summary (which restates what was said without necessarily highlighting the conflict).

Ambivalence is best captured when you acknowledge both sides in one breath. A double-sided reflection does this by naming a desire or goal on one side and a barrier or conflicting feeling on the other, connected by and. For example, you might say: “You want to improve your health, and you’re worried you won’t have time to exercise.” This kind of reflection holds the tension between change and barrier, validating the client’s mixed feelings while prompting exploration of what change would take. It’s more effective for surfacing ambivalence than a simple acknowledgment (which just notes feelings), a metaphor reflection (which uses imagery), or a summary (which restates what was said without necessarily highlighting the conflict).