Responding to Resistance Module 13 Blake Beecher Ph

Responding to Resistance Module 13 Blake Beecher, Ph. D Eastern Washington University Adapted with permission from Anjali Nandi

Learning Objectives 1. Increase knowledge about Rolling with resistance, and Phase II of MI 2. Demonstrate ability to use a rolling with resistance technique in a peer role play 3. Values Focus instead of symptom focus

Resistance What is resistance? How is resistance expressed? Negating l Blaming, disagreeing, excusing, minimizing, unwillingness to change Ignoring l Inattention, sidetracking, nonanswer Arguing l Challenging, discounting, hostility Interrupting

Resistance Counselor behaviors that elicit resistance l Arguing for change (the trap of taking sides) l Assuming the expert role/claiming preeminence l Labeling l Being in a hurry l Criticizing, shaming, or blaming

Resistance is a product of the interpersonal relationship Hence, there are things we can do to diminish resistance Resistance is a signal to respond differently, it is valuable feedback

Change Talk Generally falls into one of these four categories: l Disadvantages of the status quo l Advantages of change l Optimism for change l Intention to change

Change Talk Disadvantages of the status quo “I can see that in the long run, this is going to do me in if I don’t make a change. ” “I am ruining my family life. ” Advantages of change “My boys would like it. They’re always after me to quit. ” “Probably I’d feel a lot better. ” “At least it would get the courts off my back. ”

Change Talk • Optimism About Change “I think I could probably do it if I decided to. ” “I did quit smoking a few years ago. That was tough, and it took a few tries, but I did it. ” “My family would be there to support me. ” • Intention to Change “I definitely don’t want to keep going the way I have been. ” “I’ve got to do something. ”

Handling Resistance v. Simple reflection v. Amplified reflection v. Double-sided reflection v. Shifting focus v. Coming Alongside v. Agreement with a twist v. Reframing v. Emphasizing personal choice/control v. Disclosing feelings Reflective Responses Strategic Responses

Reflective Responses v. S imple reflection v. A mplified reflection v. D ouble-sided reflection

Simple Reflections l Repeating, rephrasing, paraphrasing, reflection of feeling

Amplified Reflection Exaggerated to encourage some retreat l Client: I couldn’t just give up drinking. What would my friends think? l Interviewer: You couldn’t handle your friends’ reaction if you quit.

Double-Sided Reflection Captures both sides of the ambivalence l Client: Okay, maybe I’ve got some problems with gambling, but it’s not like I’m addicted to it. l Interviewer: You see that your gambling is causing problems for you and your family, and it’s also important that people not think of you as some kind of addict.

Strategic Responses v. S hifting focus v. C oming Alongside v. A greement with a twist v. R eframing v. E mphasizing personal choice/control v. D isclosing feelings

SHIFTING FOCUS “We’ve talked about who required you to come here; now let’s talk about…”

COMING ALONGSIDE (Paradox) “It sounds like the pros of using still far outweigh the cons. So it may be that you decide smoking is something that you don’t want to give up”

Agreement with a Reflection with a REFRAME

Reframing Acknowledges validity of client observations but offers new meaning or interpretation (useful with resigned client)

EMPHASIZING PERSONAL CHOICE/CONTROL “It really is your choice about what you do in this situation” “You’re right, no one can force you to be here or to change. ” “No one can make you do this. The decision is yours” “I’m here to help you in whatever way you see as helpful. ”

DISCLOSING FEELINGS “I’m getting a stuck feeling as we sit here. And I’m wondering whether you feel the same? ” When stuck with a resistant client, sometimes it helps for the counselor to acknowledge that he/she feels stuck. This can help to normalize the situation and creates potential for some movement.

Handling Resistance v. Simple reflection v. Amplified reflection v. Double-sided reflection v. Shifting focus v. Coming Alongside v. Agreement with a twist v. Reframing v. Emphasizing personal choice/control v. Disclosing feelings Reflective Responses Strategic Responses

CLIENT INTERVIEWERS L I S T E N E R S

FISHBOWL EXERCISE

MI ACRONYMS D E A R S evelop express mplify oll w/ upport D E A R S iscrepancy mpathy mbivalence esistance elf-Efficacy O A R S pen Questions ffirmations flections ummarizations I Q L E D G E D A R N C mportance Ruler uery Extremes ooking back/ahead vocative Questions ecisional Balance oals & Value Exploration laboration esire bility easons eeds ommitment Q P C B E L D I R N S A D S C A R E D uestion/Answer remature Focus onfrontation laming xpert abeling esire for status quo ability to change easons for status quo eeds for status quo imple Reflections mplified Reflections ouble-sided Reflections hift Focus ome Alongside gree w/ a Twist eframe mphasize Personal Control isclose Feelings

MI ACRONYMS D E A R S O A R S I Q L E D G E D A R N C O M M I T M E N T Q P C B E L D I R N R E S I S T A N C E S A D S C A R E D

This module was originally developed by Anjali Nandi of the Justice System Assessment and Training Center. It was supplemented and refined for this audience.

References 1. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (1999). Enhancing Motivation for Change in Substance Abuse Treatment. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 35. ) Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from: http: //www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/books/NBK 64967/ 2. Miller, W. R. & Rollnick, S. (2002). Motivational interviewing (2 nd ed. ): Preparing people for change. New York: Guilford Press.