Types of Resistance
Silence
Reframing Resistance
What SW should NOT do
How SW should respond
100

Which type of resistance is this statement an example of:

Client: "You don't understand what I'm going through"

Arguing (challenging, discounting)

100

How is silence often negatively perceived?

Impolite/Rude

Manipulative

Lack of care/Interest

100

Why might a client be showing resistance in the form of Self-Protection (what are they feeling)?

Not feeling safe

Putting up walls

They want to be in control

100

Why is it not helpful to argue with a resistant client?

Won't get us anywhere

Loses credibility, unprofessional

Looks defensive and like we don't know what we are doing

100

How can a Social Worker check themselves when dealing with a resistant client?

If what you are doing is increasing resistance, do something else

Stop and pause, what am I doing in this situation? What can I do different?

Counsel in a reflective, supportive manner and resistance will go down

200

Which type of resistance is this statement an example of:

Client: “You don't know what you're talking about, I'm not listing anymore”

Interrupting (cutting off)

200

What feelings may silence generate?

Anxiety, Discomfort, Sense of failure, Anger, Frustration, Confusion

200

Why might a client be showing resistance in the form of Indirect Expression of Feeling (what are they feeling)?

Not knowing how to express feelings

Feelings coming out wrong

Overwhelmed by feelings

Displacing feelings onto someone/something else

200

Why is persuasion ineffective when working with resistant clients?

Leads to defensiveness

People are less likely to meet us in the middle and follow what we are saying

It should be about the client, not the social worker

We aren't supposed to tell them what to do

Social Worker is not an expert on the client's life

200

What can a Social Worker do to honor resistance?

Join client in the middle of their resistance

Ask client what they think about some questions

“It feels like you are being resistant”

“It feels like you are angry”

300

Which type of resistance is this statement an example of:

Client: "I did nothing wrong, I don't even need to be here!"

Denying (blaming)

300

How can a Social Worker use silence as intervention purposefully with a client?

Grant client space to process thoughts and feelings without distraction

Encourage exploration

Recovery time from emotion/difficult conversation

Give client autonomy for setting pace

300

Why might a client be showing resistance due to the Social Worker's Behavior (what are they feeling)?

Something SW is doing something wrong

Feeling insulted or unheard by Social Worker

Triggered by something Social Worker said

Lack of respect for Social Worker

300

Why should social workers fight our reflexes of wanting things to be right and okay when working with resistant clients?

Minimizing the client's situation

Our job is not to smooth things over, we need to work through things

It joins clients in their thoughts

300

Why is emphasize the client's personal choice and control important when working with resistant clients?

Client should have control and power

Client should be able to talk about what they want

Client should be able to led the conversation

Give control and power back to client

400

Which type of resistance is this statement an example of:

Client: "Anyway, what are you having for dinner tonight?"

Ignoring (sidetracking)

400

How can a Social Worker respond to silence from a client?

Normalize the silence

Be comfortable with silence

Remove pressure from session and slow it down

Engage and affirm the client

400

Why might a client be showing resistance in the form of Attempting to Meet Needs (what are they feeling)?

Need for power or control in a situation

History of being hurt by person in power

Trying to protect themselves

Don't do well with authority

400

Why is remaining professional with resistant clients important?

Ex: SW presenting as unbothered when client puts their feet up during session

So that we stay on topic and do job

Maintain our credibility and respect

Allows client to express themselves fully and be more comfortable

400

How can slowing down be an effective way to deal with reistance?

Allows the client to process their feelings

Gives time for reflection on both ends


500

How could the Social Worker affirm the client in response to this resistant statement:

Client: "I hate that I have to be here it's a waste of my time."

SW could affirm client by saying

"You are very courageous for being here"

"This must be really frustrating for you"

500

How is silence a paradox as we learned in class?

Something is happening even when it seems like nothing is

Not talking is a way of talking: what the client doesn't say is as important as what they/she/he does say

500

What is the other word for resistance we learned in class?

RELUCTANCE!

500

How should the SW deal with a client who is continuously hitting on them

Act undaunted and keep boundaries

Respectfully, but firmly decline

Remind them for the reason they were here

500

We should focus on _______, rather than on the resistant behavior

Reasons behind the resistance

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