Navigating Resistance in Psychotherapy after Acquired Brain Injury
Date: Wednesday, March 11th, 2026
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm EST
About the Presentation:
This presentation will review the theoretical constructs from different psychotherapeutic schools of thought pertaining to challenges with resistance in Psychotherapy sessions for individuals with acquired brain injuries. Further, this presentation will explore various internal factors and external manifestations of resistance, and how to address resistance in Psychotherapy, including the role of the working alliance and therapist contributions. The discussion will be supplemented with a case study demonstrating examples of resistance in Psychotherapy, and therapeutic interventions to address it.
Learning Objectives:
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Define and identify theoretical constructs related to the resistance phenomenon in Psychotherapy for survivors of acquired brain injury in a holistic milieu setting.
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Explain the role of clinical considerations related to schools of thought, patients’ external manifestations and internal mood problems, and working alliance factors that facilitate versus mitigate resistance.
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Formulate the treatment approach for the patient and therapist to manage resistance using case study material related to personal growth, socialization, and productivity.
About the Presenter:
Pamela Klonoff, Ph.D. ABPP
Pamela Klonoff has been affiliated with the Center for Transitional Neuro-Rehabilitation at Barrow Neurological Institute, Dignity Health, Phoenix, Arizona since its inception in1986. She was named the Manager in 1986 and became the Clinical Director in 1993.
Dr. Klonoff’s passion and primary clinical endeavors are in holistic milieu-oriented neuro-rehabilitation designed to treat the “whole person,” especially psychotherapy for patients and families, group interventions, cognitive retraining, and mentoring therapists. Dr. Klonoff has participated in over 55 publications. She has completed three books, Psychotherapy after Brain Injury: Principles and Techniques (2010), Psychotherapy for Families after Brain Injury (2014), and Holistic Neurorehabilitation: Interventions to Support Functional Skills after Acquired Brain Injury (2024), which is a handbook about holistic neurorehabilitation. She has presented nationally and internationally on theoretical, clinical material, and efficacy research in the areas of acquired brain injuries, holistic milieu-oriented treatment, psychotherapy, cognitive retraining, and patient and family group interventions, as well as their benefit in transitioning patients to greater independence, productivity at school and work, and overall quality of life.
Joseph Murthy, PsyD
Dr. Murthy is a neuropsychologist at the Center for Transitional Neuro-Rehabilitation at the Barrow Neurological Institute. His clinical interests include providing services tailored to the adjustment to brain injury, including neuropsychological assessment, psychotherapy, psychoeducation, and cognitive retraining. Research interests include psychosocial adjustment and behavioral management after brain injury. Dr. Murthy obtained his Psy.D. from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology – Washington D.C. Campus. He completed his post-doctoral fellowship in neurorehabilitation at the BNI. Dr. Murthy completed his pre-doctoral internship at VA North Texas Health Care System. He completed clinical externships at Cognitive Rehabilitation of Georgia, Restore Neurobehavioral Center, Atlanta VA Medical Center, and the Emory University Department of Rehabilitation.
WE WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK THE BARROW NEUROLOGICAL INSTITUTE FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND SPONSORSHIP OF SINR
