{"title":"Resistance as an Invitation to Tighten the Therapeutic Relationship Using a Dynamic, Empathetic Movement Approach","authors":"Tami Seifert, Shlomit Yaron","doi":"10.1007/s10465-021-09349-8","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Resistance necessarily erupts in a surprising, spontaneous and authentic manner, manifested as an emotionally powerful, often physical phenomenon. Resistance signifies the client's unwillingness to participate in the therapeutic process. Scholars have tried to understand resistance, and proposed therapeutic interventions. The present study relies on Kohut's approach to the \"self-object\" as the relationship for consideration. A mixed-methods paradigm using quantitative and qualitative tools, collected therapists' viewpoints on their clients' resistance patterns, to clarify therapists' coping methods, when facing, different emotional, behavioral and physical resistances. It also investigated whether clients could be equipped with professional tools to provide a space for anchors, alternative innovative viewpoints, variation of emotional, behavioral and movement expressions and other ways of expressing the resistance experience. Respondents included 14 occupational therapists, 23 para-medical carers and 17 students on a group leaders' course. Data were collected from questionnaires, eliciting therapists' reactions to resistance situations, and perceptions of the resistant client and from the therapists' observations, reflective writings, case presentations and works on children resisting therapy. Findings indicate that learning in an experiential workshop, field work and reflective writing altered therapists' perceptions of resistance as expressed in movement, behavior and emotions. There was a change in the therapeutic relationship and the intervention methods, and in the therapist's self-image and professional identity. This study alters the image of the resistant other, being perceived not as belligerent, but rather as struggling to experience their self and to express their inner world.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":44552,"journal":{"name":"AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DANCE THERAPY","volume":"43 2","pages":"132 - 156"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6000,"publicationDate":"2021-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1007/s10465-021-09349-8","citationCount":"1","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DANCE THERAPY","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10465-021-09349-8","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 1
Abstract
Resistance necessarily erupts in a surprising, spontaneous and authentic manner, manifested as an emotionally powerful, often physical phenomenon. Resistance signifies the client's unwillingness to participate in the therapeutic process. Scholars have tried to understand resistance, and proposed therapeutic interventions. The present study relies on Kohut's approach to the "self-object" as the relationship for consideration. A mixed-methods paradigm using quantitative and qualitative tools, collected therapists' viewpoints on their clients' resistance patterns, to clarify therapists' coping methods, when facing, different emotional, behavioral and physical resistances. It also investigated whether clients could be equipped with professional tools to provide a space for anchors, alternative innovative viewpoints, variation of emotional, behavioral and movement expressions and other ways of expressing the resistance experience. Respondents included 14 occupational therapists, 23 para-medical carers and 17 students on a group leaders' course. Data were collected from questionnaires, eliciting therapists' reactions to resistance situations, and perceptions of the resistant client and from the therapists' observations, reflective writings, case presentations and works on children resisting therapy. Findings indicate that learning in an experiential workshop, field work and reflective writing altered therapists' perceptions of resistance as expressed in movement, behavior and emotions. There was a change in the therapeutic relationship and the intervention methods, and in the therapist's self-image and professional identity. This study alters the image of the resistant other, being perceived not as belligerent, but rather as struggling to experience their self and to express their inner world.
期刊介绍:
American Journal of Dance Therapy informs the international mental health community on the latest findings in dance/movement therapy theory, research, and clinical practice by presenting original contributions, case material, reviews, and studies by leading practitioners and educators in the field. The journal, reflecting the dramatic expansion of the profession over the last half-century, publishes timely articles on working with new populations, changing goals, innovative techniques, and new methods of training. Current professional issues, outcome research, and assessment tools are also examined and evaluated. This biannual forum encourages dance/movement therapists and allied mental health professionals to test their theoretical premises and share their ideas. It is a valuable resource for administrators, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and creative arts therapists in the disciplines of music, art, and drama.