A condition in which one's collected meta-messages (Bateson) or para-messages (Grinder) are said to be at odds with each other. Grinder speculated that this reflects presence of competing perceptual models in need of integration. Grinder refers to two types of incongruence: Simultaneous Incongruence One's meta/para-messages at time zero are inconsistent with each other. Perhaps easiest to see (and work with) in those situations where the client exhibits lateral incongruence where the left side of the body sends a set of messages consistent with each other but at odds with the set of meta/para-messages sent by the right side of the body, said messages themselves being consistent. Sequential Incongruence Behavior, and consequently meta/para-messages are consistent within time zero and within time n, but the set from time zero are at odds with the set from time n. This is typical of substance abuse and domestic violence.