The Confrontational Method
June 1st, 2012
By Jennifer Lipack, LMHC, CASAC, Drug & Alcohol Addiction Topic Expert Contributor
There are many different forms of counseling techniques that clinicians will learn throughout their training and years of experience. Whether a therapist will choose to implement one technique over another is based on that person’s comfort level, experience, and preference. The question that counselors often ask themselves is whether a particular therapeutic approach meets the individual needs of the client.
A technique that is occasionally implemented with substance abuse clients is confrontational counseling. In this approach, the therapist confronts the client on his behavior, attitude, and beliefs. The purpose of this technique is to have clients take ownership for their behavior, and it urges them to be honest with themselves and their environment. This approach may be seen as being unfair and overly abrupt. At times, this technique works for clients who need someone to make them personally responsible for their lies or other detrimental behavior. This is especially beneficial for clients who are lying and trying to justify their behavior (i.e., usually it is their substance use they are trying to justify).
At times, this approach can be brutally honest, which can cause clients to feel defensive and believe they are being judged. If the confrontational approach is not used in the context of a soft tone, it can come across as being biased. When dealing with substance abuse, the ultimate question for the therapist is what method of counseling will best meet the needs of the client. If a client is relapsing and using illicit substances, he or she will need to be confronted about the negative behavior. These clients need to comprehend that their behavior can cause harm to them and that they are hurting the people around them. But does that mean they should not figure this out on their own? Should the therapist guide them through the path of self-realization?
Often in counseling programs, we are taught to be sympathetic and understanding and nurture clients toward the goal of self-realization of their mental health issues. The confrontational method is really the opposite of what many therapists are taught. The confrontational approach usually results in instructing clients about what they are doing, telling them how they should be acting to correct the negative behavior, and making judgments about them. It leaves no room for softness, sympathy, and understanding. Sometimes clients may become confused because they do not understand the point of confrontation, while other times they may be appreciative.
This is not to say that the confrontational method is not an effective method to use for individuals who are struggling with substance abuse. This method is useful for clients who want someone to be honest with them and tell them about their behavior and show them that they are not being truthful. This method seems to work with individuals who are looking to be confronted so that they can come to terms with the reality of their substance use. The confrontational method is not good for individuals who are looking to work through their issues and wanting to come to the conclusion of substance use on their own. The individual who is looking for an unbiased method and softer tone also would not seek this type of therapy. Whatever method is implemented, it is strongly recommended that therapists recognize the strengths of their training and carefully consider what method the client will respond to positively.
Related articles:
What Is Recovery?
Identifying and Treating Addiction and Substance Abuse Problems
Do I Really Have a Drinking Problem?
©Copyright 2012 by Jennifer Lipack, LMHC, CASAC, therapist in Melville, NY. All Rights Reserved.
-
Find the Right Therapist
-
9 Comments | Click here to leave a comment.
Comments
With most addicts I have known confrontation isn’t going to get you too far. Most of them get very defensive very quickly and will back away from treatment when they feel like they are cornered.
What good is confrontation when there are so many more effective ways to talk to people?
Confrontation can feels os demeaning to most people, especially if it is not doneby someone who is trained in this method or in an environment where the addict can feel safe.
I am just not sure that with all of the different modes of therapy that are avilable if this is the one that I would choose to use on a regular basis.
Yes, there will be those one or two people who will probably respond well. But overall I think that there are better ways to go about this.
This is an article about one method that some therapists use or agencies use. This was an unbiased perspective explaining the method, as well as going with the pros and cons. Whether one client may or may not like it is up to the individual. This is not to say ALL therapists use this. There are times this method has worked, and the client did not respond well to the therapist who used a different approach.
You know, I can see how for some addicts this could be the only thing that hits home for them. Too many times they have only been surrounded by their enablers, those who say the things and do the things for them that only supports their habit. They might not be buying the drugs and alcohol, but by enabling them they are giving them permission to continue their ruinous behavior. But when someone really stands up and confronts them, shows them that they DO NOT support their actions and will not continue to enable them if they saty on this road of addiction, then maybe that is the slap in the face that some of them need to change their ways. It might work and it might not. A good therapist will be able to see if this is making a difference in a good way, and if it isn’t her or she will not be afraid to try something different until they find the thing that will reach them and help them make that connection to sobriety.
It must be hard doing that-trying to figure out to what the client will respond positively.because people into substance abuse can be picky and moody and they may exhibit swinging behavior and it can become very hard to predict what would be the right technique in such a scenario.
Why would you think that an addict like me might respond well to someone confronting me? I know that you don’t want to hold my hand, but confrontation I don’t need.
Have you given any thoughts, Alec, what method of intervention would help, or are you just not ready to go there yet?
Max- I honestly don’t know. There is a part of me who thinks about getting straight and how much better life would probably be without all of the drugs and crap. But then, I don’t know. I think that in the end I am scared to live without them. I have always had this crutch, for way longer than I haven’t. And it’s kind of scary to give that up, understand? I know that’s being a coward, but it is what it is. I have tried going straight and it did not work. I never felt any better, so it kind of gets to where you wonder the point of all the trying is.
A confrontational method to me only sets the addict up to be defensive.
I think that we all know that going on the defensive is not the best route to take for recovery.
Leave a Reply
By commenting you acknowledge acceptance of GoodTherapy.org's Terms and Conditions of Use.