A motivational interviewing perspective on resistance in psychotherapy

This article applies the motivational interviewing approach to resistance, which is conceptualized as the product of an interaction between the therapist and client rather than a static client characteristic. The underlying principles of motivational interviewing also are discussed, as are the overall therapeutic goals when using this approach. Sources of the resistance between the therapist and client are reviewed, as well as specific recommendations for responding. The motivational interviewing approach to resistance is applied to each of the three case vignettes.