Stage 6: Working Through the Confrontation

Once the confrontation begins, the clinician should not expect the patient to immediately agree with or appreciate the confrontation. Often, patients will object to confrontations by increasing the symptomatic picture surrounding their maladaptive relational patterns. They may express feelings of unhappiness or confusion with the therapeutic process, increase demands for help from the therapist, act out, cancel appointments, or be late for sessions.

Stage 6 may last several weeks or even months, depending on the degree of resistance the patient musters to protect his or her weak self-formation. Remember that the maladaptive relational pattern is a protective shield surrounding the fragile and wounded self. It is a shield not easily dropped. The therapist can counter the patient's resistance by remaining firm in the confrontation and by not yielding to the pressure of increased relational symptoms, acting out, depression, anxiety, or confusion in the patient. When the patient breaks through the resistance to self-honesty, the symptoms decrease and he or she will often express relief and excitement about self-discovery and finding new ways of relating.



Please note this material has been published elsewhere.
©Copyright information is at bottom of this page.


Return