What about the Maladaptive Role?

• What is the Therapist's Role? by BOL Editor, 10/31/98
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    • The Question as the Problem by Scott D. Miller, Ph.D., 11/9/98
      
      

The principle that Scott has suggested makes a whole lot of sense to me. As I read his post, it occured to me that I do this with at least some of my clients. My question then, is what happens when the role that the client designs for the therapist is maladaptive? For example, one client that I am seeing now is attempting to push me into a role that would require me to do all the work. She is able to identify a need for her children, but then expects me to provide for her (e.g., "Can you get me a car seat?"). To participate in this kind of relationship would be damaging in my humble opinion. I have been responding to this by building on what she has already done for herself, but then helping her plan what to do next. I guess this is my answer to my own question, but I am certainly interested in the opinions of others.

• The client's theory of change by Scott D. Miller, Ph.D., 11/16/98