A form of complex reflection: the therapist reflects the client's viewpoint with greater amplification than the client expressed. The goal — without sarcasm or irony — is to create conditions in which the client themselves takes the other side of the ambivalence. If the client says "I sometimes drink a little", the therapist may reflect: "Alcohol is not a problem in your life at all." The client will most likely correct — and formulate change talk themselves.
Step-by-step guide
- Hear sustain talk or minimization
- Amplify it slightly — not to absurdity, but above what the client said
- Deliver without sarcasm, neutrally or with a gentle intonation
- Go silent — wait for the reaction
- The client will most likely correct you — reflect their correction (change talk)
When to use
- In persistent sustain talk
- When the client minimizes the problem
- When there is an unwillingness to change in a client with a high level of reactance
Key phrases
It seems to you that alcohol does not affect your life at all.
Follow-up questions
(Client: "No, it does of course, sometimes…" — that is change talk!)
Alternative phrasings
So you do not need to change anything, in principle.
Warnings
- ⚠️ No sarcasm, no irony, no mockery — it destroys the alliance
- ⚠️ Do not overdo it — too strong an amplification sounds implausible
- ⚠️ Use rarely — it is a powerful instrument that requires accuracy
Source: Miller & Rollnick, 2013
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.