Reframing is a way to use language to help someone see something from a new perspective. Without being aware, for example, people often focus on the worst possible outcome in health situations. A psychological term for this perspective is awfulizing. When that is happening, what they most need is a change in perspective. You can help others change unhelpful perspectives in two ways: (1) Change the content of what they say, or (2) change the context (time and/or place) of their statement.
Statement: I’m always in pain.
The content is “pain.” The context is “universal.”
Reframing content: How will you know when you’re feeling less discomfort? [Reframes “pain” to “discomfort.”]
Reframing content: You’re only saying that because the pain had been especially bad this year. [Reframes content from general to specific.]
Reframing context: How long have you been thinking you’ve always been in pain? [Reframes context from universal to past.]
Reframing context: How do you know you’ll be in pain tomorrow? [Reframes context from universal to future.]