ABSTRACT
Irreverent strategies provide the dialectical contrast to the reciprocal communication strategies of warmth, genuineness and self-disclosure. The therapist employs irreverent strategies when the client or client and therapist become stuck in a dysfunctional pattern of emotions, thoughts or behaviours. Metaphorically, therapists use irreverence when the therapy train appears in imminent danger of crashing at high speed into the buffers, and only diverting the train will avert an accident; irreverence is the verbal equivalent of changing the points. Although irreverence differs substantially from the reciprocal strategies, it also must arise from genuine compassion towards the client, not from a position of frustration and anger. Irreverence aims to help the client alter his or her perspective and let go of rigidly held views. Employing irreverence in anger reduces the likelihood of a shift in perspective by the client and increases the possibility that the client will hold more ®rmly to the very perspective that the therapist hopes to change.
