In establishing a therapeutic relationship one must accept the behavior of the client and facilitate the expression of the behavior. It is the role of the therapist to indicate to the client that his behavior can be used in a way that can be of help to him. Thus, the important thing is not for the therapist to agree with his behavior but for the individual to be able to use the behavior to successfully meet any situation. The inexperienced hypnotist tries frequently very hard to correct such behavior immediately and tell the client how to behave. Of course, such a tendency to give advice goes against sound therapeutic practices.
Resistance needs to be respected by the therapist.
We need to recognize that when resistance is exhibited, it means that we, as therapists. The expression of resistance is symbolic of the beginning of change. One wants to get well or he would not be coming to my office, the other does not want to get well, or he already would be well. Too much of the wrong kind of reassurance to the first might make an immediate enemy of the second, sabotaging treatment. The goal should be instead to contact that aspect looking for its positive force and make an ally instead of conceiving it as a resistance.