Confrontation of clients and users - for better or worse!

Abstract

The use of confrontation in counselling and in social work is a controversial topic. There are contradictory comments in the literature and in the research findings. The history of confrontation is considered. In the past it has been emphasised as being of significance with some user groups such as those with drink and drug problems. Confrontation used to be seen to be of particular significance in work with problem drinkers and drug users in breaking down resistant behaviours and their excessive use of defence mechanisms, such as denial. Yet, while some of the recent literature on work with substance misusers has moved strongly away from the emphasis on such approaches, with a move to more empathic based interviewing, other literature has strongly confirmed the importance of confrontation, for example, in work with offenders or with ‘troubled and troublesome’ young people in residential settings. More recently, partner abusers have been seen as another user group for whom confrontational strategies are appropriate.