In Free Association, resistance may indicate what?

• A. That there is nothing important.
• B. Resistance may indicate that there is important information requiring further probing.
• C. That the client is not honest.
• D. Therapy should end.

Answer: (B)

Resistance in free association signals that there is important information the client is guarding because it feels threatening. The hesitation or edits are defenses aimed at avoiding distressing material, so resistance guides the therapist to probe more deeply, using gentle questions or interpretations to access underlying conflicts. It’s not evidence that nothing important is present, nor a verdict on honesty, nor a reason to end therapy. Instead, resistance points to material that can be explored to advance insight and treatment.