EP13 Topical Panel 06 - Resistance - Judith Beck, PhD; Harriet Lerner, PhD; and Cloé Madanes, Lic. Psic.

Description:

Educational Objectives:

1. Compare and contrast clinical and philosophical perspective of experts.

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*

Outline:

Judith Beck on Resistance in Therapy

• Shares story of a Kansas farmer to illustrate resistance to change.

• Emphasizes resistance as universal and protective, not just defiance.

• Notes that change in one area often forces change in others (Margaret Mead quote).

• Personal examples: son’s reaction to her success; coping with her mother’s cancer.

CBT Perspective on Resistance (Judy Beck)

• Identifies resistance through client behaviors (e.g. criticism, no-shows, self-harm).

• Encourages therapists to:

  • Define the problem clearly.

  • Rule out therapist error first.

  • Vary their style to fit the client.

  • Seek feedback regularly.

• Categorizes unhelpful beliefs that block progress:

  • Engagement in treatment

  • Avoiding negative emotions

  • Solving problems

  • Fear of improvement

Cloe Madanes’ “Therapy of Action”

• Promotes taking action rather than just talking about problems.

• Uses paradoxical interventions to bypass resistance (e.g., give unexpected or “irrational” directives).

• Employs leverage (e.g., future projection, highlighting potential success) to motivate change.

• Example: engaged a resistant trader by connecting casually and aligning with his language.

• Stresses adaptability and respect if a method doesn’t work.

Panel Discussion Highlights

• Beck emphasizes pros/cons analysis of change vs. staying the same.

• Madanes focuses on joining the client’s worldview and using leverage.

• On “professional fault finders”: Madanes recommends using playful techniques to shift awareness.

• Both panelists stress flexibility, cultural sensitivity, and tailoring approaches to each client.