Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy pp 2509–2511Cite as

Resistance in Couple and Family Therapy

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:

  • 71 Accesses

Name of Concept

Resistance

Introduction

Resistance in family therapy has been defined as all behaviors of individuals within the system which prevent the progress of the system as a unit. Such behaviors can be manifested through each individual, the relational aspect to family dynamic, or even from therapists’ level of engagement with the family (Anderson and Stewart 1983). A couple and family therapist will encounter a level of resistance from a client at some point in their career. For beginning therapists, the concept of resistance is one that can be particularly frightening. Novice therapists have the tendency to internalize a family’s resistance and subsequently becoming hostile, frustrated, or hopeless (Anderson and Stewart 1983). Nevertheless, resistance is not always an indication that the therapeutic relationship is flawed or at risk; many times individuals and families become resistant due to their behaviors being challenged or subject to change. That resistance then can...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   799.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   999.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Anderson, C., & Stewart, S. (1983). Mastering resistance. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coché, J. M. (1990). Resistance in existential-strategic marital therapy: A four-stage conceptual framework. Journal of Family Psychology, 3(3), 236–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Shazer, S. (1989). Resistance revisited. Contemporary Family Therapy, 11(4), 227–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frankel, Z., & Levitt, M. H. (2006). Postmodern strategies for working with resistance: Problem resolution or self-revolution? Journal of Constructivist Psychology, 19, 219–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, W. A., & Evans, J. W. (1986). Resistance: A reconceptualization. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 23(3), 426–433.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, M., & Epston, D. (1990). Narrative means to therapeutic ends. New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Sandra Espinoza & Melani Kovarkizi

Authors
  1. Sandra Espinoza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Melani Kovarkizi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sandra Espinoza .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Family Institute at Northwestern University, Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Jay L. Lebow

  2. The Family Institute at Northwestern University, Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Anthony L. Chambers

  3. The Family Institute at Northwestern University, Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Douglas C. Breunlin

Section Editor information

  1. California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, Sacramento, CA, USA

    Sean Davis

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Espinoza, S., Kovarkizi, M. (2019). Resistance in Couple and Family Therapy. In: Lebow, J.L., Chambers, A.L., Breunlin, D.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_547

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation