How do psychotherapists deal with resistance?

Resistance is a normal part of the therapeutic process and therapists should be prepared to deal with it. By establishing a positive relationship, using paradoxical interventions, and working toward mutually created goals, you can tear down the walls of resistance and help your client make the progress they desire.

What is client resistance in counseling?

Response content resistance is a client’s attempt to restrict or control the type of information communicated to the counselor. This may manifest itself in several different forms. Often times, clients engage in small talk about irrelevant topics, such as gossip or rumors.

What does resistance mean in therapy?

1. generally, any action in opposition to, defying, or withstanding something or someone. 2. in psychotherapy and analysis, obstruction, through the client’s words or behavior, of the therapist’s or analyst’s methods of eliciting or interpreting psychic material brought forth in therapy.

Why Some clients resist help?

Many clients resist because counselors focus too quickly on the clients’ feelings, behaviors or sense of responsibility. If a client resists because they feel everyone else has the problem, then focusing on the client presents a miscommunication.”

What causes resistance in therapy?

What should a therapist do when a client exhibits resistance?

If the client is exhibiting resistance, it is the job of the therapist to assist in reducing it as much as it is the client’s responsibility to change their behavior. Whatever your definition, one thing is sure, resistance is negatively related to treatment success (Beutler, Moleiro & Talebi, 2002).

How do you deal with resistance in counseling?

Many clients resist because counselors focus too quickly on the clients’ feelings, behaviors or sense of responsibility. If a client resists because they feel everyone else has the problem, then focusing on the client presents a miscommunication.” A dose of reality Wubbolding uses a reality therapy approach to reduce resistance.

What is actively fighting resistance in therapy?

Actively fighting resistance is an approach that rarely works in therapy (Beutler, Moleiro & Talebi, 2002). Instead, this strategy involves noting the resistance so you can explore what is causing it. Pointing out that a client appears to be exhibiting some resistance allows you to process it and move beyond it (Austin & Johnson, 2017).

What does it mean when a client is resistant?

Mitchell defines resistance as something “created when the method of influence is mismatched with the client’s current propensity to accept the manner in which the influence is delivered.” When counselors label a client’s behavior as resistant, typically, one of two things has occurred, Mitchell says.