DAY 100+ 40: Complex Reflections - Double-Sided

Double-sided reflections are sometimes the best way to engage

Nov 05, 2025

Double-Sided Reflections are often the best way to engage

A double-sided reflection, marked by the preamble, “One the one hand” and followed with “And on the other hand” are an incredibly useful part of the MI toolbox.

You can engage with the speakers ambivalence.
You can give empathy for the obstacle and still hold out for hope.
You add direction by evoking change talk.

And, its pretty simple. Just connect two things that are true, and use the word AND.

You want to quit smoking and at the same time you're not sure you can do it.
On the one hand, you like staying up late, and on the other hand, you know you are not getting enough sleep.
You know you feel betterafter you go to the gym, and it's really hard to get yourself there

“Double-sided reflections can be particularly helpful
when someone is ambivalent.”
Bill Miller, Listening Well

Give it a Try

Try a double-sided reflection, and don't forget to use the word AND!

And let me know how it goes!

Sky

We can help you practice your reflections

Join us at a free practice, Mondays or Fridays at noon, nyc time. Reserve Your Spot!

And we also have a Making Reflections AI practice tool in the MI-AI Practice Room if you want to give it a try.

And Thank you!

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Comments from earlier, on Complex Reflections

Thanks for focusing on complex reflections! This is so helpful. Yesterday at the TNT, we did round robin reflections and I have a new way of teaching complex reflections. As we went around, others spoke the reflection I was going to use so I challenged myself to do a complex reflection that I thought ‘might be wrong’ to get more information. Now I want to create an exercise where trainees actually do this so they can see that wrong guesses still get us moving forward and it will give them confidence that it’s ok! With gratitude, Jalene Szuba

(Practicing with Sky’s MI AI Pop-up and loving it). Smoker considering quitting: “Yeah, having someone to check in with could really make a difference. I think I'd feel more motivated if I knew someone else was rooting for me. Maybe I should look into a support group or find a friend who can help."
Me, the helper: “You’d feel more assured if you knew someone had your back” - Melani

He told me:”I am in more pain everyday”
Reflection: “Not knowing why really scares you” - Firouzeh

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Sky Kershner, LPC, ALPS, LCSW, DMin
Assistant Professor, WVU School of Medicine
MINT Certified Trainer of Motivational Interviewing
AAMFT Approved Supervisor / Member IEDTA / PACT L2
304-220-0088 / www.wv-mi.com / the mi-ai practice space