Another way of putting this is scrupulously to "Avoid argumentation".

As soon as the practitioner tries to argue for change s/he is failing to Express Empathy and risks an ironic process, in which the young person "digs in his/her heels".

Sometimes Rolling with Resistance should be explained explicitly:

"I am thinking to myself that whatever arguments I might have about what I think might be a good course of action for you, I will never ever win an argument with you - because this is about you, and not me. So I won't tell you what to do, and if you catch me doing that, you must please tell me, so I can put that right!"

Consider the martial arts such as Aikido - where an attack is countered not by counter force (like boxing), but by using the attacker's momentum. The Aikido master avoids the blow by moving around it and then slightly redirecting it, rather than countering it 'head on'. Do not take this analogy too far - Motivational work is not combat!

Respect due

Always acknowledge resistance - reminding oneself and the yougn person that Ambivalence is normal. The offer is thus to "..take what you want - what might be helpful to you - and leave the rest".

Resistance is seen as a cue for a different approach.

The practitioner is flexible - at times a complete change of tack is required to avoid argumentative confrontation (look for QuickWins to shift to, that will keep a sense of momentum in the therapy.)