In motivational interviewing, what does rolling with resistance mean?

• A. Avoid confrontation and guide the client through ambivalence.
• B. Directly confronting the client to force change.
• C. Ignorning resistance and proceeding with the clinician’s plan.
• D. Labeling the client as noncompliant.

Answer: (D)

Rolling with resistance means recognizing that resistance is a natural part of change and responding in a collaborative, nonconfrontational way. In this approach, you avoid arguing or pushing the client to change. Instead, you stay empathetic, reflect what the client is saying, and invite further exploration of their ambivalence. This helps reduce defensiveness and puts the client in the driver’s seat, encouraging them to articulate their own motivations for change and the steps they’re willing to consider. By guiding the conversation through ambivalence, you foster autonomy and elicit change talk, which is more likely to lead to lasting decisions.

Direct confrontation to force change creates more resistance and defensiveness and undermines trust. Ignoring resistance or proceeding with the clinician’s plan dismisses the client’s feelings, and labeling someone as noncompliant is stigmatizing and harmful to rapport.