Now try identifying some action reflections.
Pic 22: The screen transitions to one titled “Identify Action Reflections.” It includes an example statement and multiple response options with feedback. The text on the slide reads, “Let’s look at different possible responses to see which action reflections best turn a barrier or statement of how, when, or where into a possible action step.” The example statement reads “A sport would be a great way for Jayda to get more activity, but she’s very shy.”
- A sport will help her grow out of that.
- This isn’t a reflection of what the parent said, it’s advice. This could provoke a “Yes, but” response or derail the parent’s consideration of change. Instead, a health coach should stick to the parent’s implied suggestion.
- She could try an individual sport like gymnastics or tennis.
- This isn’t a reflection of what the parent said, it’s advice. This could provoke a “Yes, but” response or derail the parent’s consideration of change. Instead, stick to the parent’s implied suggestion.
- Sounds like you might be looking for a sport where shyness wouldn’t be a problem.
- This is correct. This parent suggested a potential roadblock (shyness), and it reflected that as a potential action step. That would be a great way to transition to discussing an action plan.
Pic 23: The screen transitions to the next slide, with the example statement being “Sometimes it’s hard to get the kids to behave without the TV.”
- If there were another way to get them to behave, you could cut back on their screen time.
- This is a great action reflection. It takes a barrier the parent expressed and turns it into an avenue for brainstorming. This way, you can keep the conversation moving forward.
- You have to find another way to get them to behave.
- This isn’t what the parent said, it’s advice. This could provoke a defensive response or derail the parent’s consideration of change. Instead, a health coach should turn the barrier the parent expressed into a potential action step.
- TV is a convenient way to get them to behave.
- This is a reflection of what the parent said, but it emphasizes what the parent likes about the status quo. An action reflection should build momentum toward change.
Pic 24: The screen transitions to the next slide, with the example statement being “I have friends who bike to work, and they seem to like it.”
- Your friends like biking to work.
- This is a simple reflection of what the client said, and it highlights an interest in change, which is great! But an action reflection presents a possible action step.
- You want to try biking to work.
- This does present a possible action step, but might overstate the client’s interest in change. With action reflections, it’s better to understate, which allows the client to inject their own enthusiasm and commitment to make the change plan their own.
- You seem to think biking might work for you, too.
- This response is good. It picked up on the implied “how” and “when” the client suggested and reflected them. It also erred on the side of understating the client’s interest, which gives them room to make the change plan their own.
Pic 25: The screen transitions to the next slide, with the example statement being “I tried running before work. But it took too much time, so I stopped.”
- Running didn’t work for you.
- This is a simple reflectionof what the client said, and it focuses on what didn’t An action reflection should help build momentum toward change by focusing on a potential action step.
- You’d need an activity that fits better with your schedule.
- This is right! It turned a barrier into the starting point for a brainstorm, and in a way that respects the client’s autonomy.
- You don’t have to run that long each time to get health benefits.
- This isn’t an action reflection, it’s information sharing. This could provoke a “Yes, but” response or derail the client’s consideration of change. Instead, turn the barrier the client expressed into a potential action step.
Pic 26: The screen changes to one which includes the symbols and text for “Simple Reflections,” “Complex Reflections,” and “Action Reflections.”
Simple reflections, to show you’re listening, complex reflections, to add meaning and move a conversation forward, and action reflections, to transform barriers into plans, are all powerful tools to help clients move toward change.
Pic 27: The images and text fade away and the screen returns to a close-up of Eva.
As the experts on their own lives, people are naturally inclined to trust their own judgment over any outsiders, even yours! Research shows that by avoiding a directive tone and using reflections as part of motivational interviewing, even a single session with an empathetic counselor can lead to favorable outcomes.
Pic 28: Eva disappears and is replaced with an image of a health coach with a word bubble above their head containing a figure on a treadmill talking to a client who has their hands on their hips and a word bubble above their head that contains an image of a figure on a bicycle.
By listening to and emphasizing a client’s own arguments for change, you can work with their ideas instead of fighting them.
Pic 29: The client and health coach move closer together, both smiling and extending their arms with an image of a figure on a bicycle above their heads.
and make it far more likely that they’ll follow through with a plan. After all, it was their idea!
