Ambivalence is not a problem to be solved. It is one of the most human experiences there is — wanting two contradictory things at the same time, feeling pulled in opposite directions, knowing something intellectually while feeling something very different emotionally. Most significant change involves ambivalence. Most difficult conversations do too.
In homelessness support work, ambivalence and apparent resistance are constant companions. The person who says they want to stop using drugs but keeps using. The person who says they want stable housing but keeps sabotaging their tenancy. The person who misses appointments they had agreed to attend. From the outside, these can look like lack of motivation, dishonesty, or self-sabotage. From the inside — understood through the lens of ambivalence — they often make complete sense.
This module builds on the foundations of Motivational Interviewing and the Stages of Change to explore ambivalence and resistance in depth. It is an Advanced-level module designed for practitioners who are already familiar with the basics and want to develop their ability to work with the more complex and challenging aspects of supporting change.
This is an Advanced-level module within Subject 3: Professional Practice and Reflective Skills.