The New Wave for Paradox Psychology

Welcome to ‘The New Wave for Paradox Psychology’.

Another psychology website? Aren’t there enough theories?! What makes this so different? 

This site is different because it is dedicated to the art and science of influencing change in the treatment-resistant client; the client who has ‘no desire, intent, or motivation’ to change his behavior.  

These clients are often mandated for treatment by the court system, job, school, or frustrated parents. Such clients tend to downplay the seriousness of their issues and are often in denial of the negative impact their behavior has on others.

While those making the referral are hopeful the client will recognize the importance of changing his attitude and behavior, the client himself may lack the internal desire or motivation to do so.  

For the most part ‘conventional wisdom’ has assumed that unless the client is willing to make some effort to “cooperate and participate” then there is little the clinician can do to advance treatment. This has done a great disservice to the profession as it has allowed clinicians to blame the client for lack of progress, rather than recognizing that  the treatment techniques being employed are inadequate.

It is important to note, that while research indicates that behavioral, cognitive, and psychodynamic interventions are successful when working with the motivated client, these methods have little success with those who resist treatment.  Therefore clinicians who use these methods with such clients will likely feel frustrated that their efforts produce little results.   

For the resistant client, research indicates that paradoxical interventions have the highest rate of success.

A primary goal here is to introduce theory of paradox psychology and explore how this is relevant to paradoxical intervention techniques in working with treatment resistance. The focus of these ideas are geared toward educating mental health providers  and others interested in the dynamics of working with treatment resistance.  

Paradoxical interventions are generally recognized as counter-intuitive. For this reason is important for the clinician to gain a working knowledge of the underlying theory, rather than simply learning ‘bag-o-tricks’ techniques. By learning the “method behind the madness” it is hoped that clinicians will gain a better understanding of the mechanism that drives this exciting approach.  

In addition, a  key advantage is that unlike other approaches, the paradoxical method does not depend on the client’s “good will, cooperation, and participation” in order to be successful. 

Webster’s Dictionary: Paradox: A proposition that is seemingly self-contradictory or absurd;  An argument which through a valid process of deduction arrives at a self-contradictory conclusion.

Paradox psychology focuses on a simple yet obvious truth: The essense of human existence is a paradox!  Through a valid process of deduction, it is evident that we are self-contradictory beings.

…How so? -We live in a finite body, but we think unlimited thoughts; -We walk on dry land, but our ‘head is in the clouds’; -Our DNA is programmed to act upon animal instinct, yet we insist on exerting ‘free-will.’ 

 As rockstar, Sting, best puts it: We are spirits living in the material world! 

Contents:

1) Surf’s Up - 1a) Introduction; 1b) About Paradox Psychology; 1c) Paradigm Shift; 1d) Scientific Bridge; 1e) 5 Learning Objectives

2) About Eliot P Kaplan

3) Definitions

4) Background / Research - 4a) A Simple Example; 4b) Research; 4c) History; 4d)

5) Theory - Win-win Double Binds

6) 15 Paradoxical Interventions

7) Sex Offender Treatment -

8) Rants and Raves

www.ParadoxPsychology.com             EPK 1-21-12