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Psychological Therapy Session

Addressing Resistance or Breakthroughs

This session involves navigating moments where the client may be resistant to change or, conversely, experiencing significant insights or emotional breakthroughs.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
Therapist (Female)
Welcome back, Sarah. We ended last session talking about your feelings of being stuck in your career. How have things been since then?
2
Client (Female)
Honestly, it's been a bit of a mixed bag. I've been trying to apply some of the techniques we discussed, but I keep hitting this wall, like I know what I *should* do, but I just… can't.
3
Therapist (Female)
That's perfectly normal, Sarah. It sounds like you're encountering some resistance. Can you tell me a bit more about what that 'wall' feels like for you? What thoughts or feelings come up when you try to move forward?
4
Client (Female)
It's this overwhelming sense of 'what's the point?' Or 'it won't make a difference anyway.' And then I just freeze. It's frustrating because I *want* to change, but a part of me seems to be fighting against it.
5
Therapist (Female)
That's a very insightful observation, Sarah, recognizing that part of you fighting against it. It's often that protective part that's trying to keep you safe, even if its methods are no longer serving you. Perhaps we can explore what that protective part is trying to tell you.
6
Client (Female)
Hmm, I never thought of it that way. It just feels like self-sabotage most of the time. But now that you mention it, there's a fear there, like fear of failure, or even fear of success and what that might entail.
7
Therapist (Female)
Exactly. That's a huge breakthrough, Sarah. Recognizing those underlying fears is the first step towards understanding and working with them, rather than just feeling stuck. It gives us a new direction to explore today.

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

stuck

Feeling stuck means you cannot make progress or move forward, like being trapped in a situation. Use it in career or personal contexts, e.g., 'I feel stuck in my job.'

resistance

Resistance is an inner opposition to change or new ideas, often due to fear. In therapy, it describes reluctance to improve. Say, 'I'm facing some resistance to trying new habits.'

overwhelming

Overwhelming describes something too intense or powerful to handle easily, like strong emotions. Use it for stress, e.g., 'The workload is overwhelming.'

frustrating

Frustrating means causing irritation or annoyance because of difficulties. Common in daily talk, e.g., 'It's frustrating when plans don't work out.'

insightful

Insightful means showing a deep understanding or clever observation. Use in discussions, e.g., 'That was an insightful comment about my problem.'

self-sabotage

Self-sabotage is when you unconsciously harm your own goals or success. Useful in personal growth talks, e.g., 'I think I'm self-sabotaging my diet.'

breakthrough

A breakthrough is a sudden important discovery or progress. In therapy, it means a key realization. Say, 'This therapy session was a breakthrough for me.'

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

How have things been since then?

This is a polite way to ask about recent progress or changes. It's useful in conversations to check on someone's situation. The present perfect 'have been' shows ongoing time from past to now.

It's been a bit of a mixed bag.

This idiom means experiences have been both good and bad. Use it casually to describe varied situations. 'Mixed bag' is a common expression for inconsistency.

I keep hitting this wall.

This metaphor means repeatedly facing an obstacle that stops progress. Useful for expressing frustration in goals. 'Keep hitting' uses present continuous for repeated actions.

That's perfectly normal.

This reassures someone that their feeling is common and acceptable. Great for comforting in therapy or advice. 'Perfectly' emphasizes complete normality.

What thoughts or feelings come up when you try to move forward?

This probes deeper into emotions during an action. Useful in reflective talks. 'Come up' means arise or appear, and it's a question to encourage sharing.

That's a huge breakthrough.

This praises a major positive realization. Use it to celebrate progress in learning or therapy. 'Huge' intensifies the importance of the breakthrough.