An interpersonal communication perspective on resistance in psychotherapy

Abstract

This article discusses resistance in psychotherapy using the contemporary interpersonal communication model of psychotherapy. This perspective defines resistance as moments during sessions when the patient and therapist are interacting with one another in such a way that the patient is kept from becoming aware of any covert experiences or transactional patterns that are conflictual and anxiety provoking. The ways in which resistance may be conceptualized and worked with are discussed and applied to three patient vignettes, with an emphasis on working with resistances as they are manifested in the patient-therapist relationship. Some of the potential reactions of the terapist to resistance are discussed, including some relatively beneficial and some problematic instances. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.