Which paradoxical intervention involves projecting a negative behavior in an exaggeratedly negative light to challenge the client’s self-image?

Which paradoxical intervention involves projecting a negative behavior in an exaggeratedly negative light to challenge the client’s self-image?

• A. Positioning
• B. Relabeling
• C. Prescribing the symptom
• D. Thought stopping

Answer: (A)

Positioning uses the therapist’s description of the client’s behavior to place the client in a particular role or self-image, often by exaggerating the problematic behavior to an extreme. By projecting the negative behavior in an exaggeratively negative light, the client comes to see how distorted their self-view is, which can provoke insight and motivate change. This approach leverages the surprise and cognitive dissonance of seeing oneself portrayed in a harsher light than they believe, helping to loosen defenses and invite a more flexible, healthier self-perception. Relabeling would shift the meaning of the behavior into a different interpretation, not amplify it; prescribing the symptom would direct the client to engage in the symptom itself; and thought stopping targets extinguishing intrusive thoughts rather than reframing self-image through role framing.

Positioning uses the therapist’s description of the client’s behavior to place the client in a particular role or self-image, often by exaggerating the problematic behavior to an extreme. By projecting the negative behavior in an exaggeratively negative light, the client comes to see how distorted their self-view is, which can provoke insight and motivate change. This approach leverages the surprise and cognitive dissonance of seeing oneself portrayed in a harsher light than they believe, helping to loosen defenses and invite a more flexible, healthier self-perception.

Relabeling would shift the meaning of the behavior into a different interpretation, not amplify it; prescribing the symptom would direct the client to engage in the symptom itself; and thought stopping targets extinguishing intrusive thoughts rather than reframing self-image through role framing.