Chapter 3 presents in detail the NVR manual for entrenched-dependence interventions. The opening stage is devoted to building the therapeutic alliance, reframing the problem in ways that allow for new options, discussing parental accommodation, working on the parents' narrative of total responsibility, explaining the need for a support network, and training on how to prevent escalation. This stage concludes with the presentation of a therapy roadmap. The second therapeutic stage includes the formulation and delivery of the announcement, and the constitution of a support group. The third therapeutic stage is the gradual and systematic process of de-accommodation, consisting in a series of gradual exposures to diminishing services, infringement of prohibitions and, if necessary, change of living arrangements. The conclusion stage is usually open-ended, offering parents the option of returning to therapy for a short period if crises arise.

In Chapter 2, we argue why parental NVR is well-suited to treating entrenched dependence. We describe why attempts at individual therapy for the adult-child or traditional parental counseling usually fail. These failures have different forms, such as: (a) the adult-child refuses therapy; (b) the adult-child accepts therapy, but entitled dependence persists; (c) the parents are advised to show unconditional acceptance, but the dependence remains unaffected; or (d) the parents are advised to be tough, but are daunted when they stumble on frightening escalation. We argue that parents are almost invariably the motivated partners, that they deserve to be viewed as clients in their own right, and that involving the adult-child would distract the parents and the therapist from their job. We elaborate some central insights underlying parental NVR, such as: (a) that the parents' narrative of total responsibility actually prevents improvement; and (b) that parental accommodation aggravates and perpetuates the problem. The chapter concludes with a description of treatment goals and of what changes can be realistically expected.