Reframing paradoxical psychotherapy.

Discusses the conceptual confusion regarding paradoxical psychotherapy (PPT) and suggests an explanation of the change process inherent in the use of paradoxical techniques in terms of cognitive dissonance (CD). PPT requires a cognitive set that is distinct from that required for more conventional approaches. To many, the approach seems counterintuitive. Ethical issues such as the use of deception arise. It is argued that this counterintuitive cognitive set seems to be more a reflection of lack of conceptual clarity of the approach rather than anything inherent in the methods themselves. Empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of PPT techniques is primarily anecdotal and equivocal, due in part to the lack of a coherent theory to guide research. It is suggested that CD theory fills this conceptual void and brings paradoxical techniques within the same arena as other therapeutic techniques. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)