Reflections are statements we make to our clients that repeat back key elements of what they said.
In Motivational Interviewing, reflections can be simple or complex. They can be a restatement, or add meaning or emphasis that can highlight unspoken feelings, thoughts, or beliefs.
So what if you don’t like what your clients just said to you? What if you don’t agree? What if you don’t believe what they believe?
Should you still reflect?
YES!
Reflections don’t mean that you are agreeing or endorsing what your client has told you. Reflecting doesn’t require that you have similar beliefs.
You may feel a bit uneasy reflecting something that you wouldn’t necessarily say yourself, but those reflections are KEY to the engagement process. And, they help your clients feel heard and understood.
Motivational Interviewing Tip of the Week: When reflecting client statements that you don’t agree with, remember that you can still connect with your client and maintain your own beliefs. Use the skill of perspective-taking to aid you in this process. Let us know how it goes!
