[Haniah Zahoor]

Double Binding:
This therapeutic approach involves presenting clients with two options, each of which leads to the desired therapeutic outcome, thereby circumventing resistance and promoting positive change.

Impact: Clients gain a sense of empowerment from having choices, even if those choices achieve the same result, which helps in overcoming subconscious resistance and fosters a more collaborative therapy process. This method also enhances client motivation and involvement in therapy.

Examples: For relaxation techniques a therapist might ask, “Would you prefer to relax deeply now or focus on feeling calm and at ease as you listen to my voice?”Both choices result in relaxation which is the therapeutic aim. For behavioral change a therapist could ask a client trying to quit smoking “Would you like to stop smoking immediately or reduce your smoking gradually until you quit completely?” Both options lead to quitting smoking which is aligning with the therapeutic goal.

Conclusion: Double binding is an effective method for promoting positive change by offering choices that all achieve the desired outcome, helping to overcome resistance, empower clients, and boost their engagement in therapy.

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