Philippa and Julie introduce the first episode in a two-part series on resistance, focusing here on children and young people in therapy (with a follow-up episode planned on resistance from parents, carers, and other professionals). Drawing on their different approaches—TheraPlay (more adult-led) and child-centred play therapy (more child-led)—they explore what resistance can look like: refusing or tweaking an activity, avoiding certain play areas, repeated toilet breaks, zoning out, overly compliant behaviour, or constant chatter. They discuss how resistance can trigger therapist feelings of hurt, rejection, or self-doubt, especially early in training, and how experience and supervision help reframe it. A key theme is distinguishing resistance (a workable growth edge) from distress/terror (a signal to stop and back off), and responding based on what the behaviour means for that specific child (including children who take control to stay safe versus those finding their voice). They share examples from practice—including a young person who began therapy hiding under a table—and connect resistance to children’s histories of disrupted relationships, uncertainty, and fear of loss. The episode closes with the message that resistance is not failure but valuable information, inviting curiosity about what the child is communicating and how adults can scaffold safety, connection, and change.

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