A direct confrontation between the client's wish for help and the resistance that blocks help, used only when alliance and anxiety tolerance are sufficient.
Step-by-step guide
- Clarify the client's wish for help
- Name the resistance blocking help
- Show the contradiction
- Invite the client to choose whether to continue the resistance
- Return to feeling if the defense loosens
When to use
- With high resistance and sufficient alliance
- When repeated defenses block all access to feeling
- When anxiety remains in striated muscle
Key phrases
You came here for help, and this defense is preventing me from helping you.
Follow-up questions
Can you see the contradiction?
Do you want to keep this wall between us?
Alternative phrasings
I am on your side, and the defense is in the way.
This is the moment of choice.
Warnings
- ⚠️ Never use HOC with fragile clients without adaptation
- ⚠️ Do not use it as aggression
- ⚠️ Stop if anxiety dysregulates
Source: Davanloo, H. Abbass, A
Materials are informational and educational and summarize publicly available scientific sources. They are not medical or psychological advice, are not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.