TEAM-CBT and Social Work: Skills to Breakdown Client Resistance and Promote Change in Micro Practice

Abstract

and Promote Abstracts Social workers often struggle with how to cope with client resistance. This paper provides social workers with additional resources for reducing client resistance, increasing motivation to change, and developing an empathetic alliance with clients by introducing key concepts used in TEAM-CBT. TEAM-CBT was created by David Burn, MD to assist clinicians to identify the source of client resistance, to develop critical empathy skills to foster a healthy therapeutic relationship, and to help the client find their motivation. TEAM stands for testing, empathy, assessment of resistance, and methods. This client-centered approach aligns well with the National Association of Social Work (NASW) values and Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) practice competencies by encouraging evidence-based assessment of treatment, focusing on empathy and client validation to encourage the growth of a strong therapeutic relationship, identifying the client’s strengths that are evident in their resistance, and using client self-determination to assist in the discovery of motivation. The authors critically examine the elements of TEAM-CBT as a mental health intervention approach that is compatible with social work values and the standards for competent social work practice. This critical analysis provides social workers with guidance for empowering clients to change problematic behaviors.