ABSTRACT
Overcontrolled patients demonstrate excessive self-control and hold rigidly to their interpretations of experiences. This chapter guides the clinician to use playful irreverence to challenge a patient’s fallible interpretations while demonstrating cooperative social signaling, showing affection, and building social connection. Although overcontrolled patients struggle to build relationships, introducing warmhearted teasing helps the patient not only feel connected to the clinician but also models how to build relationships outside of the clinical encounter. Building rapport with the overcontrolled patient enables the clinician to better aid the patient in reaching their treatment goals.
