Your client is resistant to change in therapy. How can you ignite their self-motivation for transformation?
Encountering resistance in therapy can be challenging, but it's possible to light the path towards self-motivation for change. To facilitate this journey:
- Explore their values: Discuss what truly matters to them to find a personal reason for change.
- Set small, achievable goals: Help them see progress and build confidence with manageable steps.
- Reflect on past successes: Remind them of times they've adapted to encourage belief in their ability to change.
What strategies have you found effective in inspiring self-motivation in clients?
Your client is resistant to change in therapy. How can you ignite their self-motivation for transformation?
Encountering resistance in therapy can be challenging, but it's possible to light the path towards self-motivation for change. To facilitate this journey:
- Explore their values: Discuss what truly matters to them to find a personal reason for change.
- Set small, achievable goals: Help them see progress and build confidence with manageable steps.
- Reflect on past successes: Remind them of times they've adapted to encourage belief in their ability to change.
What strategies have you found effective in inspiring self-motivation in clients?
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Encountering resistance in therapy is a common challenge, but tapping into a client's own motivations can be transformative. Start by exploring their values—what truly matters to them. This can reveal a deeply personal reason for change that resonates beyond clinical goals. Next, set small, achievable targets, allowing them to experience incremental wins and build self-confidence. Lastly, reflecting on past successes helps remind clients of their resilience and adaptability, reinforcing their belief in their ability to change. Together, these steps create a pathway that honors their journey, building self-motivation from within.
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I love the examples provided already! One thing that I like to do first when I’m sensing resistance from a client is to check in with myself and consider if I’m valuing my worth based upon my perception of their resistance. I’ve found that clients who are “resistant” require the most patience and compassion and that starts with how I show up. I have learned to do my best not to be attached to an outcome, of course I want them to improve but everyone’s journey is different, therapy can be a slow burn!
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Totally get it! Sometimes a little nudge can help. Try asking them about their goals and what they truly want. Tap into their interests and values, and maybe share some success stories. It's all about finding that spark that gets them excited about the process!
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Quando um cliente resiste à mudança, é importante ajudá-lo a encontrar o próprio impulso para a transformação. Pergunte sobre os pequenos sonhos ou metas que ele tem e mostre como a mudança pode ser a chave para alcançá-los. Compartilhe histórias de quem superou desafios com passos pequenos e consistentes. Assim, ele pode ver a terapia não como uma imposição, mas como uma jornada própria, que respeita seu ritmo e o que leva ao futuro que deseja.
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When a client resists change, I don’t see it as my role to ignite their motivation but to hold space for their autonomy. Change, after all, is deeply personal and cannot be imposed or prescribed. My job is to explore what resistance protects—fear of failure, loss of identity, or perhaps mistrust in the process. I ask questions, not to guide them toward my vision of transformation but to help them articulate their own. Resistance often carries wisdom, signaling areas where the client isn’t ready—or perhaps doesn’t yet see the need—to move forward. When they own their reasons for change, it becomes authentic and sustainable.
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