Using Therapeutic Letters to Navigate Resistance and Ambivalence: Experiential Implications for Group Counseling

Clients in the early stages of changing addictive behaviors are typically not ready to assume active roles in making significant changes. Navigating these challenges with traditional talk therapy can prove ineffective. Experiential group activities help normalize the difficulties associated with making changes and help clinicians bypass client resistance and ambivalence. The application of one such experiential activity, “Writing a Letter to My Substance/Behavior,” is described and a case study is provided.