Alternative Interpretations

Who’s Against Who?

—Counter Techniques in the Making—

Situation:

A client’s boyfriend said she had fat legs.

First interpretation:

• My legs are grotesque.  I’m deformed.  I feel like I shouldn’t wear shorts or pants because everyone will see them.  Nature gave me a raw deal.

Alternative Interpretations:

• He’s an idiot!

• He was angry at me for not going to his basketball game.  He knows I am sensitive about my weight and was trying to hurt me back.

• He has fat legs and he’s projecting.

Situation:

• The client developed agoraphobia six years ago.  She still has panic attacks despite four months of counseling with two therapists.

First Interpretation:

• I’m crazy!  I’ll always be afraid to go out, and if two professional therapists can’t help me, no one can.

Alternative Interpretations:

• My therapists were no good.

• The techniques they used weren’t appropriate for my problem.

• I didn’t give the therapy enough time.

•  It takes more than four months to get over agoraphobia.

• I didn’t work at it.