This is a list of examples of dialectics: two things that seem opposite – and are at the same time true. A therapy resource for clinicians or counseling students.
For other therapy resources, see 60 Awesome Resources for Therapists and 37 Powerful Therapy Metaphors. Read an article from Psychology Today on the use of dialectics in psychotherapy here.
Examples of Dialectics in Therapy
| 1. I am strong… | yet vulnerable. |
| 2. You can have both fear… | and courage at the same time. |
| 3. You feel like you can’t go on… | and you still go on. |
| 4. You can be intelligent… | and lack self-awareness. |
| 5. I want to change… | and I’m afraid to change. |
| 6. You are happy with yourself… | and want to improve. |
| 7. I’m doing the best I can… | and I need to try harder. |
| 8. I am capable… | and I need support. |
| 9. You enjoy the finer things in life… | and don’t take the small things for granted. |
| 10. I can love someone… | and still hurt them. |
| 11. I love my partner… | and I was unfaithful to them. |
| 12. I hate what someone did to me… | and I still love them. |
| 13. I am angry with you… | and I will treat you with respect. |
| 14. You can care about someone deeply… | and still not want them in your life. |
| 15. You feel happy for someone… | and are envious of them. |
| 16. I am happy for you… | yet sad for myself. |
| 17. You can feel sorry about something… | and not regret it. |
| 18. I acknowledge and accept others’ views… | and have my own beliefs. |
| 19. You can accept someone… | and disagree with them at the same time. |
| 20. I disagree with you… | and I understand your perspective. |
| 21. You want to be sober… | and you want to get drunk/high. |
| 22. You experience strong cravings… | and you don’t want to get drunk/high. |
| 23. I had a bad childhood… | and I can live a good life. |
| 24. What happened wasn’t okay… | and you can learn from it and move forward. |
| 25. I didn’t cause all my problems… | and I need to solve them. |
Free Printable PDF for Download:
Wow… This is good. I liked it.