ABSTRACT
The literature pertaining to clinical hypnosis has generally had quite a bit to say about the issue of client resistance. Overwhelmingly, resistance was considered to be a manifestation of the client's defenses for coping with sensitive intrapsychic conflicts. "Proper" treatment was a confrontive inquiry about the resistance, first acknowledging it, next attempting to uncover its origin and function, and then collaborating on its resolution. From this perspective, resistance was always considered the client's problem, serving as an intrapsychic coping device requiring analysis and interpretation. When it interfered with the progress of therapy, as it inevitably did, the client was blamed as the saboteur. Accusations and interpretations were thrust at the client, who obviously "really didn't want to change," or perhaps was "too resistant to succeed."
