The Psychology of Patient/Client Change 

A practical, evidence-based framework for understanding coping patterns and reducing resistance. 

Course Overview

Many compassionate health professionals feel frustrated when some clients seem unmotivated, resistant, or disengaged, despite applying their best efforts and evidence-based advice and interventions.

The Psychology of Patient/Client Change helps to reframe these difficult encounters through a modern understanding of coping, safety, and readiness. Participants learn why traditional directive communication can backfire with certain patients/clients, and how to use psychologically attuned strategies that restore trust, motivation, and agency. 

If you’re a health professional who prides yourself on empathy and evidence-based practice, you’ve likely met a few clients who leave you puzzled — the ones who nod, agree, and promise to follow through, but somehow never do. It’s frustrating, not because you doubt your skill, but because you care. You see their potential, yet your usual tools — education, coaching, even motivational interviewing — don’t seem to reach them.

What You Will Learn 

The Psychology of Patient Change helps practitioners to understand what’s really happening beneath that “resistance.”


Drawing on health psychology and resilience research, this training reveals the hidden coping patterns that shape how people respond to change — patterns like unmitigated agency, unmitigated communion, avoidant coping, pessimistic attribution, and rumination.


You’ll learn to recognise these mindsets in real consultations and adapt your communication to match, so even your most “stuck” clients begin to shift. 

The course will provide clear explanations, real-life case studies, practical exercises, and engaging discussions to ensure that your interest is maintained throughout the training.

About Your Facilitator 

Karen is a postgraduate in health psychology, a therapist, a clinical supervisor and educator, with expertise in behavioural change and clinical hypnotherapy.

Her work sits at the intersection of behaviour change, resilience, and communication — helping health professionals translate psychological theory into compassionate, effective patient/client conversations.

For over 20 years, Karen has worked with individuals, groups, caregivers, and professionals, navigating lifestyle, health and biopsychosocial challenges. She has seen first-hand how many caring clinicians feel frustrated when empathy alone doesn’t shift behaviour — and how easy it is to blame themselves when patients and clients disengage.

Her mission is to change that narrative! 

Through HealthTalk Psychology and her flagship training The Psychology of Patient/Client Change, Karen equips health and medical professionals to:

• Understand the hidden coping patterns that drive resistance.

• Communicate in ways that meet clients where they are — without confrontation or exhaustion.

• Reignite motivation, restore connection, and protect their own empathy and wellbeing.

Karen’s teaching style blends clinical depth with clarity and compassion. She’s known for translating complex psychological concepts into language clinicians can use the next day — and for creating learning spaces that feel safe, reflective, and practical. 

Professional highlights 

• Qualifications: MSc Health Psychology, BSc (Hons) Psychology, Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma, Advanced Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy

• Expertise: Health psychology · Behaviour change · Communication skills · Motivational interviewing · Resilience training · CBT · Advanced clinical hypnotherapy · Practitioner/caregiver wellbeing

• Experience: 20+ years across health promotion, clinical consulting, training, and education, therapy & coaching

• Approach: Evidence-based · Person-centred · Compassion-first · Practical

“I created this program for the clinicians who care the most — because they’re the ones who feel the weight of resistance most deeply. When we understand why people resist, we can respond with clarity instead of frustration — and that changes everything.” ~ Karen 

Dates & Availability 

This training is hosted once per month. Choose the intake that suits your schedule:

OPTIONS & PRICING 

2-day attended online training with addition online support,  course materials, and supervision, for additional learning. 

Group and/or individual post-course supervision is highly recommended for further clarity and learning.