Everything we do - including our resistance - is an attempt to take care of ourselves or someone else.
What we call “resistance” is simply something in us that doesn’t want to do what another part of us thinks we should.
It’s that simple.
But getting unstuck from that internal battle is often not so easy.
Our job is not to fight against the so-called resistance or try to get it out of the way. The way to get unstuck is to actually build a relationship with both our resistance to whatever we’re trying to do and our motivation to do it.
Both our resistance and our motivation are communicating needs and wants can be equally taken into consideration before our system will let us move forward. (Including the needs we’d prefer not to have).
About The Resistance TherapistVirginia Jenkins, LPC
While my work fits under many titles, I am fundamentally a facilitator of our relationships with ourselves and others so that no part is left out, including our resistance. My professional roles include those of therapist, therapeutic coach, consultant, supervisor, speaker, and soon-to-be podcaster. In whatever way we cross paths, I’m here to support you in experiencing resistance as your unexpected ally in moving towards greater choice, freedom, and connection, whether for yourself or your clients.
My Approach
My work is informed by Contemplative Psychotherapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and other modalities based in a grounded, realistic self-compassion (not the “everything is love and light” kind, just to clarify).
In whatever way we work together, you will learn tangible skills and exercises to support you in reframing and collaborating with resistance as your ally, not your enemy.
The Resistance Roadmap
My Three-Step Process for Working With (Not Against) Resistance:
Explore your relationship to resistance, whether your own or your client’s.
Understand what resistance is trying to do for you or your client.
Move forward by working with both resistance and motivation.
My Background
Resistance functions as a compass, pointing us towards our deeper wants & needs.
Education
MA Contemplative Psychotherapy
Naropa University, July 2014
BA Environmental Policy and Hispanic Studies
College of William & Mary, May 2010
Training
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 2 - Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Online Circle: Foundations of the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model
Certified Professional Coach Training Program (ICF ACC Track)
Coaching for Self-Leadership - Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Introduction to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Certified Addiction Counselor Training
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Training
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Training
The Art & Science of Liberation: Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Awakening the Core Self: An Introduction to the Hakomi Method
Certification
Colorado Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
License Number: LPC.0014040
Disclaimer: My current scope of practice does not include the diagnosis and/or treatment of any mental health condition.
While I am licensed as a professional counselor in the state of Colorado, the services advertised and provided by me outside of Colorado are conditioned by the laws and regulations of Catalunya, Spain. Under no condition are my services to be construed as a medical mental health treatment. As stated above, my scope of practice does not include the diagnosis and/or treatment of any mental health condition. The nature of our professional relationship will be clearly defined in our contract. If you have any further questions about the difference between medical mental health treatment (diagnosis, treatment of a mental health condition, etc.) and the services I currently offer, feel free to contact me at theresistancetherapist@gmail.com.