The counselor's verbal response to inconsistency (smiling but saying sadness) is known as

• A. Interpretation
• B. Confrontation
• C. Reflection
• D. Clarification

Answer: (B)

Spotting when a client’s verbal report doesn’t match their nonverbal cues is a common counseling skill. If someone says they’re sad but smiles, the counselor can name that discrepancy and invite the client to explore what they’re really feeling. That direct, reflective push to examine the inconsistency is called confrontation. It helps clients move beyond surface statements and consider underlying emotions or defenses.

Interpretation would go beyond noting the mismatch to inferring hidden meaning or motives. Reflection would simply restate or mirror back feelings to show understanding, not call out the incongruity. Clarification would ask for more information to ensure you understand the message, not deliberately highlight a mismatch between expression and words.