Practicing Difficult Conversations

Practicing difficult conversations

click each circle to see examples of responses.

Instead of showing

try showing

openness and calmness.

dismiss and minimization,

affirmations with belief.

blame and accusation,

understanding and comfort.

anger,

validation of their feelings.

denial of severity,

immediate action.

a lack of action

Dismissive/Minimizing

"Oh, come on, Riley. You're probably exaggerating. These things happen online. Just ignore it."

Blaming/Accusatory

"What did you do to get into this situation? You should have been more careful. This is your fault."

Lack of Action

"Well, deal with it on your own. I'm busy right now. Just block the person and move on."

Affirming/Believing

"I believe you, and it's not your fault. Let's figure out how we can address this together. You're not alone."

Openness/Calmness

"I'm here for you, Riley. Take your time. Can you share more about what happened? Your safety is my priority."

Validation of Feelings

"I understand that this is distressing for you. Your feelings are valid, and we'll navigate through this together. What do you need right now?"

Denial of Severity

"It's just a threat. Nobody is going to do anything. Don't overreact."

Take Immediate Action

"Thank you for sharing this with me. Let's report this and take the necessary steps to ensure your safety. I'm here to support you through the process."

Anger

"I can't believe you got yourself into this mess! Do you realize how much trouble you've caused?"

Understanding/Comfort

"I can see this is really difficult for you. It's not your fault, and I'm here to support you through this. Let's find a solution together."