Question

How does a coach resolve client ambivalence when their current behaviors conflict with their stated long-term values?

Accepted Answer

A coach resolves client ambivalence, which is the experience of having conflicting thoughts or feelings about change, by using Motivational Interviewing techniques to increase the client&#x27;s internal motivation. The coach begins by practicing accurate empathy, which means reflecting the client&#x27;s statements back to them to show they are being heard without judgment. This creates a safe space for the client to explore their own contradiction. The coach then uses value-based inquiry to help the client identify their core values, which are the fundamental principles or beliefs that guide a person&#x27;s life, and asks how their current behaviors align with or hinder those values. By asking open-ended questions, which are questions that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no, the coach encourages the client to articulate their own reasons for change. This process highlights the discrepancy, defined as the gap between where the client is now and where they want to be based on their values. When a client speaks about their desire to change, the coach identifies these as change talk, which are statements that favor moving toward a goal. The coach reinforces this change talk to build the client&#x27;s self-efficacy, defined as the client&#x27;s belief in their own ability to succeed. For example, if a client values health but continues to smoke, the coach asks how smoking interferes with their long-term ability to play with their children. This connects a harmful behavior to a personal value, allowing the client to resolve their own ambivalence by choosing the behavior that supports their desired identity.

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How does a coach resolve client ambivalence when their current behaviors conflict with their stated long-term values?

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