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Ambivalence

19 techniques · 9 approaches
CBT
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Cost-Benefit Analysis
A structured examination of the advantages and disadvantages of a belief, behavior or change. It is useful when ambivalence maintains avoida…
DBT
Wise Mind
Wise Mind
The integration of three modes of functioning: emotion mind (decisions out of feeling), reasonable mind (cold logic), and wise mind — the sy…
Deurzen
Exploring Paradoxes and Polarities
Exploring Paradoxes and Polarities
Van Deurzen sees human existence as fundamentally paradoxical: each dimension of life contains irreducible polarities (life/death, freedom/n…
Gestalt
Empty Chair Technique
Empty Chair Technique
The client speaks to an imagined person, a part of themselves, or an image, seated on the empty chair across from them. The therapist may as…
Gestalt
Polarities Work
Polarities Work
Identifying and working with opposites in the personality: top-dog/underdog, strong/weak, rational/sensual, controlling/spontaneous. The aim…
Gestalt
Two-Chair Technique
Two-Chair Technique
A more formalized version of the empty chair, focused on integrating polar parts of the personality. The client physically moves between two…
IFS
Working with Polarization
Working with Polarization
Polarization is a conflict between two (or more) parts locked in opposition. Each fears that if it steps back, the other will seize full con…
Längle
Will-Strengthening Method / Working with Will and Decision
Will-Strengthening Method / Working with Will and Decision
A method for working with situations in which the client "knows what to do", but cannot decide. Längle distinguishes wish (Wunsch), will (Wi…
MI
Amplified Reflection
Amplified Reflection
A form of complex reflection: the therapist reflects the client's viewpoint with greater amplification than the client expressed. The goal —…
MI
Decisional Balance
Decisional Balance
A technique for the structured exploration of ambivalence: client and therapist together study the pros and cons of changing and not changin…
MI
Developing Discrepancy
Developing Discrepancy
One of the four original principles of MI. The essence: help the client see the gap between their current behavior and what matters to them …
MI
Double-Sided Reflection
Double-Sided Reflection
A form of complex reflection: the therapist reflects both sides of the client's ambivalence in one utterance, using the connector "and" (not…
MI
Evoking Change Talk (DARN-CAT)
Evoking Change Talk (DARN-CAT)
Change talk is any statement by the client in favor of change. It is the heart of MI: the therapist does not convince, but creates condition…
MI
Open-Ended Questions (OARS)
Open-Ended Questions (OARS)
A basic MI skill. Open-ended questions invite the client to tell their story in their own words, without steering them in a particular direc…
MI
Reflective Listening (OARS)
Reflective Listening (OARS)
The fundamental MI skill — the expression of empathy through reflection. The therapist forms a hypothesis about what the client meant, and v…
MI
Summarizing (OARS)
Summarizing (OARS)
A summary is an extended reflection that gathers several key elements from the conversation. It does three things: it confirms careful liste…
MI
Working with Sustain Talk
Working with Sustain Talk
Sustain talk — the client's statements in favor of keeping the current behavior. In MI, sustain talk is a normal part of ambivalence, not an…
UP
Motivation Enhancement
Motivation Enhancement
Working with ambivalence by analyzing short-term benefits and long-term costs of emotional avoidance and clarifying life goals.
Yalom
Paradoxes and Polarities (van Deurzen)
Paradoxes and Polarities (van Deurzen)
Life is arranged through unresolvable paradoxes: life–death, freedom–limits, loneliness–closeness, meaning–meaninglessness. Van Deurzen show…
Materials are informational and educational and summarize publicly available scientific sources. They are not medical or psychological advice, are not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.