ABSTRACT
The primary purpose of challenging or confronting clients’ key issues is because one believes that it will help them reach their therapeutic goals. The desired outcome, at least from the therapist’s perspective, is to keep the issue in the present moment so that it cannot be ignored. The term confrontation may lead to images of the therapist in an adversarial role battling with the client and arguing for change. Some approaches to counseling, such as some cognitive-behavioral models, include direct confrontation as a key component of effective counseling. Rational-emotive behavior therapy, for example, includes confrontation as a critical therapist skill along with genuineness, empathy, and concreteness. Much of the literature on challenging therapy situations or confrontation focuses on specific client populations including those in prison, or clients with drug or alcohol problems. Motivational interviewing is an approach to counseling centered on preparing people for change by helping them resolve ambivalence and low motivation.
