Resistance in Counseling and Psychotherapy

Jeffrey T. Guterman describes the progressive reconceptualization of the concept of resistance in counseling and psychotherapy.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• guterman
• resistance
• counseling
• psychotherapy
• solution-focused
• erikson

[JINSARA7]

What happened when the horse realized that it had been tricked and how would an individual respond to this method.

[jguterman]

PART I:

Good question. Milton Erikson told the story of the horse in his writings, and I did not get the horse's reaction after it was led into the barn. As for individuals, the point of Erikson's horse tale is that change is often easier when we go with the resistance.

[jguterman]

PART II:

Erikson's story is both a literal and allegorical example to show how sometimes how best efforts can take us further and further away from the desired outcome. Sometimes when we go with resistance, the inclination to not change, we are then able to somehow move forward.

[jguterman]

A "resistant" adolescent grudgingly attends family counseling. They might refuse to talk in the sessions or be disruptive. Rather than cocreating resistance, I might suggest to the adolescent that it might be better if they not attend further sessions. I have gone so far as to insist that such clients not come back. These "resistant" clients sometimes return to the counseling verbose and contributing meaningfully.

[cchurley20]

first I acknowledge the resistance. The client and I agree he/she doesn't want to be in session. I'll say that they can sit there, and not say anything if they choose for the entire session, and I'll do the talking for them. essentially putting "words in their mouth." Clients will often open up and say, "that's not what I''d say," or "I wouldn't say it like that." Now we're talking!

[comboman]

I believe 'resistance' is rooted in old survival issues that are based on the fear of loss. That 'loss' can be related to outright abandonment issues or the loss of a parent's love or approval. I believe that the amount of resistance is in direct proportion to the individual's rage connected to feelings of parental rejection.

[mywindyhorse]

My parents make me go to therapy and I don't want to be there so I sit there for an hour and I don't say a word

[jaylaine74]

great channel and vids

[bucklaw]

Redefine resistance as something positive, something intriguing. Sometimes resistance can be fun.

[Guitarstring187]

@jguterman I agree. I think resistance needs to be completed as to be able to put the energy associated with the resistance is a resolution phase which then makes other more logical choices more evident and balance's the energy.

[fntime]

Counseling & pyschotherapy, the emperor has no clothes. Without joining the body with the mind, this is all non sense. Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, once a week, twice a week, three times, talk talk talk, talk, talk, talk, nothing accomplished but supporting the therapist in a style of living that they don't deserve, based on ability & wisdom. It would be better to bring back fortune tellers, they are smarter and actually has a better record than therapists.

[aghoranathi]

I went to a therapist. I helped myself and as for her she said that our interaction was indicative of some real life situation and it was that that I later decided was BS. Well, because I never meet anyone that acted like her, the pretense of interest, she is well respected but I hope in the future I meet an honest person who can be , um, less professional? Is the horse fooled by reverse psych or did i miss something?

[aghoranathi]

You have the longest comment replies on youtube :)

[wabri20]

i think the reason for the resistance is the ego. which i believe we have allowed to go on auto pilot. it is quite a shock to it to allow another person to tell (even if well advised) them what they are doing wrong. so naturally the ego will resist when it is threatened. in times of crisis we resort to our earlyest state of memory. either isolation or absolute dependency... ya, that sounds about right to me...

[nadsab1]

This causes the therapist to believe that rejection on the part of the client towards the therapy is not due to the clients belief that she or he is wasting money on a snake oil psychotherapy huckster, but rather that the therapist has something helpful to offer, other than a pile of psychobabble laced with self aggrandizing pomposity.