Clinical Practice SWES Practice Exam

For a client displaying significant resistance to treatment, what initial therapeutic approach is generally advisable?

1. Long-term psychotherapy

2. Short-term engagement efforts

3. Psychoeducational groups

4. Family therapy

The correct answer is: Short-term engagement efforts

In cases where a client is exhibiting significant resistance to treatment, the initial therapeutic approach typically involves short-term engagement efforts. This approach is designed to build rapport and establish trust between the client and the therapist, as well as to assess the client's readiness to engage in deeper therapeutic work. Short-term engagement can include strategies such as motivational interviewing, which helps to address ambivalence towards change. This allows the clinician to understand the client’s perspective, reducing resistance while facilitating communication. Engaging clients through short-term efforts can also demonstrate that the therapist is supportive and understands the client’s situation, making it more likely for the client to open up and become more receptive to further treatment. Long-term psychotherapy might be overwhelming for someone resistant to treatment, as it can require a commitment and self-exploration that the client may not be ready to undertake. Similarly, psychoeducational groups and family therapy may also not be suitable initially, as they often require a certain level of willingness to engage with the material or the dynamics involved, which the resistant client might not exhibit yet. Therefore, starting with short-term engagement can create a foundation for progress in the therapeutic journey.