Types of Resistance
Which type of resistance is this statement an example of:
Client: "You don't understand what I'm going through"
Arguing (challenging, discounting)
How is silence often negatively perceived?
Impolite/Rude
Manipulative
Lack of care/Interest
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
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
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
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)
What feelings may silence generate?
Anxiety, Discomfort, Sense of failure, Anger, Frustration, Confusion
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
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
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”
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)
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
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
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
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
Which type of resistance is this statement an example of:
Client: "Anyway, what are you having for dinner tonight?"
Ignoring (sidetracking)
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
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
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
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
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"
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
What is the other word for resistance we learned in class?
RELUCTANCE!
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
We should focus on _______, rather than on the resistant behavior
Reasons behind the resistance