Dealing with Resistance in Psychotherapy

Download or read book Dealing with Resistance in Psychotherapy written by Althea J. Horner and published by Jason Aronson. This book was released on 2005 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Resistance is an unfortunate term for the manifestation of defense mechanisms in the treatment situation. Use of the word to a psychoanalytically unsophisticated patient may evoke undesired consequences because to a patient, it implies deliberate intent and thus, blame. From the patient's unconscious, or at time conscious, point of view, these defenses protect the individual from a variety of intrapsychic or interpersonal dangers. As long as these defenses are in play, the process of exploration and discovery comes to a halt. They must be understood and carefully analyzed for they are at the heart of the treatment impasse. This book is written for the professional psychotherapist who may be puzzled why work with a particular patient or client is going nowhere. It brings to the therapist's attention a wide variety of these defenses, these resistances, so that they can be addressed and resolved.