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VIDEO: Desiring Change, but Clinging to the Familiar
David Burns on Turning Resistance into the Voice of Change
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One of the most fascinating things about the human mind is how it's influenced by both motivation and cognition. We often desire change, especially when we find ourselves in difficult or unpleasant situations, but the compulsion to stay with what is familiar and comfortable creates resistance to that change.
Facing this resistance with clients who suffer from depression is a major challenge for many therapists. The client knows they need to change in order to improve, and they may even say they want to change, but getting them to take the actionable steps necessary to make that change may require an extra push from the therapist.
Watch this clip to hear David Burns talk about a technique that he employs with resistant clients to turn them into the voice of change.