Overcoming Resistance and Priming for Change (9.75 CE Hours)

A Masterclass on the Power of Language and Therapeutic Dialogue Towards Superior Client Outcomes

   Watch Promo

Open enrollment for the course is currently closed

For anyone who has worked in counseling, psychology, and/or as another mental health professional, at some point there is the experience of therapy not "progressing" in the ways that we desire. The change that we are trying to facilitate is not happening, and this can leave us with with frustration towards our clients, ourselves, and/or the work in general.

But therapists do not need to get stuck in this experience of “resistance.” Highly regarded psychologist, professor, and seminar presenter, Dr. Clifton Mitchell, provides guidance and practical tools to effectively work with highly resistant client situations

And beyond this, Dr. Mitchell also lays out the groundwork for techniques to create positive priming to help facilitate therapeutic growth and change in some of the most effective ways research has shown.

Join us in this comprehensive masterclass where Dr. Mitchell unpacks his insights and methods for both overcoming client resistance and priming for positive change.

This course comes included with *9.75 clock hours of approved continuing education (CE) for many behavioral health professionals (CE content is delivered in a home-study format).

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Articulate the context of client resistance and verbalize alternative theoretical approaches to addressing its presenting difficulty.
  • Describe 6 of the common errors that therapists make in trying to therapeutically address client resistance.
  • Apply the principles and techniques for effectively managing client resistance.
  • Demonstrate 9 techniques for effectively managing client resistance.
  • Utilize the methods for psychological priming to facilitate therapeutic change.
  • Compare 3 only research resources regarding the dynamics and roles of client resistance in a psychotherapeutic context.

And know you can buy this course without any risk. We have a full refund policy for anyone who decides they do not want to keep the course within 14-Days of purchase.


Dr. Mitchell will transform how you approach client resistance


*Continuing Education Approvals

PsychMaven is responsible for all aspects for this program.

*PsychMaven has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP)- ACEP No.6624. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. PsychMaven is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. PsychMaven is approved for both Live/Real Time and Home Study continuing education (CE) programs. This program is designed to meet the standards of NBCC content areas No.1 (Counseling Theory/Practice and the Counseling Relationship).


*Note for Georgia licensed clinicians (LPCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and Psychologists).

  • For Georgia LPCs/LAPCs, PsychMaven's NBCC approval means the continuing education (CE) hours for this training meet criteria for core hours for continuing education under Georgia Rule 135-9-.01
  • For Georgia licensed social workers, PsychMaven's Texas Social Work Board approval means the continuing education (CE) hours for this training meet criteria for core hours for continuing education under Georgia Rule 135-9-.01.(5)(c).
  • For Georgia LMFTs/LAMFTs, PsychMaven's NBCC approval means the continuing education (CE) hours for this training meet criteria related hours for continuing education under Georgia Rule 135-9-.01
  • For Georgia licensed Psychologists, PsychMaven's NBCC approval means the continuing education (CE) hours for this training meet Area V hours under Georgia rules. Contact the Georgia psychology board if you have questions.


*Note for Florida licensed clinicians (LMHCs, LMFTs, and LCSWs). PsychMaven's approval with NBCC is approved automatically for continuing education (CE) credit by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, pursuant to the rule 64B4-6.002(1)(e)1. However, PsychMaven is not registered with the systems of CE broker. Therefore, CE hours need to be self-reported by following the instructions found at the bottom of each CE certificate.

*Note for Ohio licensed counselors. PsychMaven's approval with NBCC is approved automatically for continuing education (CE) credit by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for counselors. However, PsychMaven is not registered with the systems of CE broker. Therefore, CE hours need to be self-reported by following the instructions found at the bottom of each CE certificate.

For the latest on the the CE Approvals of PsychMaven, as well as guidance on CE requirements for different disciplines, visit us at www.psychmaven.org/ce-approval.

"It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I recommend Dr. Clifton Mitchell's mental health training seminars! Dr. Mitchell resistance training was so well received that we brought him back a second time to present it again!"

- Martha Culbertson, Training Coordinator, McNabb Center (Knoxville, Tennessee, USA)

"One of the best, if not the best, 4+ hours I've experienced in my career. Energetic, engaging and useful to the end. Made me want to shuck all the administrative stuff I do and go back to being a therapist."

- Frank Moore, Mental Health Director, Oregon Commission on Children and Families (Albany, Oregon, USA)

"Clifton Mitchell was one of the most well-received speakers we have had the pleasure to host. Training participants gave him rave reviews. His presentation skills are exceptional as he translates state-of-the-art research and knowledge into relevant, accessible, practical gems for the therapy practitioner. Not only is he highly intelligent, diligent and thoughtful, he is funny, kind and humble. What a delight it is to work with him!"

- Liz & Trev Sheean, PsychOz Publications (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)

Your Instructor


Clifton Mitchell, PhD
Clifton Mitchell, PhD

Dr. Clift Mitchell is an international clinical trainer and keynote speaker who has a love for teaching and several decades of training experience. He delivers practical information in a uniquely entertaining, fast-paced style that is filled with humor and examples from his experience in mental health. He has studied and presented seminars on methods for dealing with resistance in therapy. In his book, Effective Techniques for Dealing with Highly Resistant Clients, he presents cutting-edge approaches for managing psychological resistance. He has also trained thousands of mental health professionals in the management of legal/ethical issues. In his latest book, Priming: Programming the Mind for Habit Change and Success, he teaches a scientifically-based system for partnering with the subconscious to eliminate bad habits and create success-advancing behaviors. He also demonstrates how to use priming to radically intensify therapeutic communications and improve outcomes He has also been the keynote speaker at conventions and taught hundreds of mental health organizations, businesses, leadership groups, and civic organizations effective techniques for improving communications and for creating change through the precise use of language. He is a contributing author in therapy books and published in numerous professional journals including the Psychotherapy Networker, Psychotherapy in Australia, Journal of Personality Assessment, Perceptual and Motor Skills, Psychology and Education, Journal of Psychological Type, The Professional School Counselor, Vistas, and The Advocate. His research includes investigations of therapeutic resistance, legal and ethical issues, subliminal message tapes, stress and coping, PMS, and personality types. His ideas and writings have also been published in Men’s Health Today and Barron’s Financial Weekly. Dr. Mitchell is currently a professor Emeritus at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee, where he received the Teacher of the Year award in 2002. For more information please visit: www.cliftonmitchell.com


Course Curriculum


  Course Introduction & Orientation
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Theories and Therapeutic Context for Client Resistance
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Common Errors Therapist Make That Create and Foster Resistance
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Basic Principles for Managing Resistance
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Priming: Using the Hidden Power of Language for Superior Client Outcomes and Self Improvement
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Articles on Resistance
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Bonuses
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Evaluation, Post-Test, and Continuing Education (CE) Certificate
Available in days
days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course is open to new students during our general launches and other special enrollment periods. Once you enroll, you have 18-months of enrollment access to the course and all it's material, across all of your devices. All of the lectures are fully automated, so you can go through the course your own pace.
How long do I have access to the course?
This home-study course will be available to you for 18-months after the your date of purchase. You will be able to access all of the course material during your enrollment period.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
At PsychMaven, we deeply desire for students to have a positive course experience. And as a part of this, we want students to feel good about their decision in purchasing a course with us, and for them to know that they can purchase without risk. If you enroll in the course, and then decide that it is not a good fit, just reach out before 14-days after your purchase and we will gladly give you a full refund.
Does this course offer continuing education (CE) credit?
Yes! The course offers 9.75 approved continuing education (CE) clock hours under multiple CE approval organizations (as listed in the course description) and can cover the approval needs of many mental health/professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, psychologists, and addiction professionals. However, all students are responsible for confirming if the CE approval of this course meets their CE needs. We can offer you further information about PsychMaven's CE approvals and resources, by visiting us at www.psychmaven.org/ce-approval
How much does this course cost?
The course is available in this current launch for $267 for the 18-months of access.

This course is closed for enrollment.