Toward an integrative perspective on resistance to change

Abstract

This article presents an integrative perspective on resistance. The phenomena of resistance can be seen at the behavioral, interpersonal, cognitive, and affective levels. A set of integrative working assumptions is proposed in which resistance reflects meaningful information about clients' conflicts among various aspects of their selves relating to change. In this view, resistance is determined by intrapersonal and interpersonal factors and can occur with or without conscious awareness. Integrative approaches to working with these conflicts are described.