Paradoxical Intention — Adler's Individual Psychology

The client is invited to deliberately intensify or bring on the symptom. When a person tries to do on purpose what they fear, fear loses its power. Adler used this technique long before Frankl, who later systematized it within logotherapy. It rests on the principle: what you do on purpose stops being involuntary.

Step-by-step guide

Identify the symptom the client is trying to control (insomnia, stammering, anxiety)
Suggest: 'What if we tried to do it on purpose?'
Explain the logic: when you try not to be afraid, the fear grows. Try being afraid on purpose
Discuss the result in the next session
Analyze: what happened when you stopped fighting the symptom?

When to use

In insomnia: 'try to stay awake for as long as possible'
In anticipatory anxiety: 'try to induce the anxiety on purpose'
In stammering: 'try to stammer on purpose'
When fighting the symptom only strengthens it

Key phrases

What if, instead of fighting it, you tried to do it on purpose?

Try tonight to stay awake as long as you can — on purpose

Follow-up questions

How was it to try to produce the symptom on purpose?

What happened when you stopped fighting?

Alternative phrasings

Since your anxiety is so strong — give it fifteen minutes. Be afraid with everything you've got

Try to stammer three times in a row on purpose — let's see what happens

Warnings

⚠️ Do not use with suicidal thoughts or self-harm
⚠️ Deliver with humor and warmth, not as provocation
⚠️ Explain the logic — otherwise the client may hear it as mockery

Source: Adler A. The Practice and Theory of Individual Psychology