ABSTRACT

I am a strong believer that we don’t continue to engage in a behavior unless we get something from it. is does not imply, in any way, that our clients are masochistic. It does imply, however, that what we do holds conscious or unconscious meaning, expectation, and assumptions. Our clients may perpetuate behaviors to gain mastery, power, or control over something or someone. Other behaviors are chronically repeated because the outcome, or secondary gain, is pleasurable and gratifying. Frequently, behaviors are held on to because clients hope or expect the next time they engage in it an unsatisfying result will finally change for the better. In any case, it is important to address this part of the cycle with clients who chronically engage in selfdestructive behaviors.