Gah! All those electrons wasted trying to discuss reasonably and rationally a way to get someone operating on an emotional level to think reasonably and rationally!
Folks operating on an emotional level who actually want to think, let alone operate, on a reasonable and rational level pay to spend "quality" time with a therapist who, as long as the copays and insurance reimbursements keep coming, have the patience to go over the same conversation which confirms to the person acting on an emotional level that 1) yes, they are acting on an emotional level, 2) yes, they "state" that they would like to operate on a reasonable and rational level, and 3) that for all the talk and dollars that have been exchanged not much has changed.
I've spent 45 minutes standing next to a blue-haired old lady who professed to be so afraid of the mere sight of a gun that she broke out in a cold sweat and felt as if her heart were racing "a mile a minute". We talked about the art fair we were both at, the wonderful weather, the way youngsters these days dress and act in public, and her grandchildren. And about her being afraid of guns - even the ones cops had. All with me OCing and moving around so that she was put in positions to observe that I did in fact have a honking big old gun strapped to my hip. At the end of our conversation I brought up the fact that we had been talking for 45 minutes and that I had been wearing a gun all that time. Her response? "But you were so nice and polite* from the very beginning that the thought of your gun never entered my mind."
(* - for those that do not know me, "nice and polite" are terms usually not associated with me. But I can play the part when it is advantageous.
)
It can be done on a 1-on-1 situation, but expecting carryover from that to the rest of life is like believing in the Tooth Fairy - a nice dream but not something you expect folks much past kindergarten to hold as unquestionably true.
stay safe.