1. Resistance: Overcoming Barriers to Positive Outcomes
W. Rand Walker, Ph.D.

2. Objectives Cover useful concepts related to positive change
Develop some ideas about how to use the tools in your work with youth
Provide a useful framework for assessing and intervening effectively
Not intended to cover prevailing models of optimal programs

3. Types of Resistance Externalizer/Blamer Stonewaller (Silence)
Deniers (“Fine”)
Nonverbal provocateur
Non-compliers and testers (late for meetings, “I forgot”)
Attackers (The best defense is an offense)
Apathetic
Creative resistance

4. Activating the Victim Triangle

5. Impact of Resistance on Professionals
Rattles
Irritates
Causes us to do things we don’t ordinarily do
Frustrates
Burns us out
Role of interpretation

6. Reasons for Resistance
They don’t believe they can do it and lack confidence that the preferred vision will really happen.
They don’t see what is in it for them.
They don’t want to give up things necessary to change successfully.
Peers and other influences that reinforce the status quo.
They don’t believe change is necessary.
Fear and uncertainty
Environment

7. Stages of Change Pre-contemplation Contemplation Preparation Action
Maintenance

8. Pre-contemplators
Are not even thinking seriously about making a change
The goal of work with pre-contemplators is to get them into contemplation
Usually ends with an eye opening event
Change is relevant to them

9. Contemplators Have decided it is time to seriously look at change
Persuasion
Mentorship
Motivation
Fear

10. Motivation Extrinsic Intrinsic Reinforcement value Response cost
Outcome expectancy

11. Authority Versus Power Rules/Laws Versus Values
Laws and rules
Punishments and rewards
Rules and laws are actually a very low standard of behavior
Don’t confuse power with authority
Values
Values are a high standard
Influence, persuasion, and the relationship are primary
Natural Consequences

12. Preparation Ideas about how to make changes Planning and organizing
Clarity about what change “looks like” (what am I going to see that is different from what we have been doing?)
Goal setting

13. Target Areas for Change
Environment
Parenting
Behavior modification
Thoughts that help (self instruction)
Lifestyle
Experiencing and self-efficacy
PERMA

14. Goal Setting Vision goals (dream goals) Proximal goals Focus goals
Task goals
Benchmarks (with scheduled accountability)

15. Action Implementing the change Following the plan
Doing it until it works

16. Elements of Successful Change
Motivated
Clarity about what is to be changed
Goal setting
Accountability
Tools and skills
Mindset
Grit
People

17. The Problem of the “Comfort Zone”
We react to causing discomfort
We have an aversion to being a part of discomfort
We get caught up in comfort being a goal or a positive outcome

18. Struggle

19. The 8 P’s Permanence Pervasiveness Personalizing Projecting blame
Persecution-victim stance
Procrastination
Perfectionism
Prediction

21. Keys to Being a Successful Change Agent
Relationship
Consistency and follow-through
Unpredictability
Be a coach

22. Maintaining the Positive Change
Life pattern

23. Relapse

24. “It just happened”
No. You put yourself in a situation where it can happen.
Friends
Pleasure
Habits and patterns
Discomfort
Low skill
Role transition
Role conflicts
Grief
Impulsivity
Peer pressure
Impairment
Identity

25. Closing thoughts