People, at least sometimes, describe themselves when they describe others. This is what is known as psychological projection. Projection is a block to self-understanding and therefore to self-development. While it may provide comfort to the projector in the short term, it inevitably causes unhappiness and fractured relationships in the long term – as diminished understanding […]
Dealing With Difficult Clients Articles by Mark Tyrrell
Let’s face it, some clients are just harder to work with. Some clients have us racking our brains wondering just how we can serve them best. In this section I’ve written about how we might best work with the more difficult clients. So here you’ll find articles all the way from how to work with the narcissistic client all the way to trying to help the avoidant and overly analytical clients.
Working With the Avoidant Client
I’m not one for labelling people. Therapy should, I feel, help clients transcend their labels. But I think looking at some people through the frame of personality disorders can be useful, as long as we don’t fall into the trap of not seeing the unique individual behind the label. In this piece I’ll focus on […]
How to Help 10 Types of Difficult Psychotherapy Clients
Here I want to address 10 types of clients that I’ve found to be the most ‘difficult’. I offer, too, pointers for helping you deal with such clients.
3 Ways to Deal With a Narcissistic Client
Just as the psychopath doesn’t tend to seek help to overcome their psychopathy, narcissists tend to be quite happy to be who they are. But if narcissism is, as the research suggests, on the increase, then by the law of averages you shouldn’t be surprised to find yourself sitting across from a narcissistic client, or […]
When NOT to Take On a Therapy Client
All kinds of clients can present tricky behaviour. They might seem resistant to help but still turn out to be great to work with. But sometimes taking on a client may prove to be much more trouble than it’s worth – for you, and ultimately also for them.
How to Deal with an Overanalytical Client
Analytical thinking has us narrowing our focus onto logistics, procedures, and linear sequences. But do this too much and contextual understanding and flexibility can be martyred to methodical thought. This Q&A session looks at how to help a man crippled by his paralysis through analysis.
How to Deal With Client Secondary Gains
During a Q-and-A call, I discuss what to do when a client may believe, on one level, that they want to get better, but then seems to put up roadblocks.
Should You Ever Pass Judgement on Your Clients?
Three tips to help you work effectively with clients who challenge your therapeutic objectivity.
What to Do When You Feel Hopeless About a Client
When a client is unresponsive to therapy, it can feel deflating. Here are five ways to think outside the box and regain your therapeutic motivation.
How to Help the Client Who Doesn’t Want Therapy
Arguing against a reluctant client will push them further away. Follow these reframing tips to help them see the benefits therapy can bring.
