The focus and re-focus of attention is represented everywhere in psychotherapy; nowhere more pointedly than in hypnosis, meditation and the gestalt concept of concentration. Expanding on these techniques, Dr. Polster offers three options for heightening attention in the ordinary therapeutic relationship: tight therapeutic sequences, the reconstruction of storyline and the spotlighting of selves. Each of these impels attention, helping to create an imbeddedness into previously squandered ingredients of the patient's life.
Panel 15 from the Evolution of Psychotherapy 1995 - Resistance
Featuring James F.T. Bugental, Ph.D.; Albert Ellis, Ph.D.; Otto Kernberg, M.D.; and Erving Polster, Ph.D.
Moderated by Camillo Loriedo, MD
For the past half-century there has been a remarkable and continual evolution in the theory and practice of psychotherapy. Now that evolution shows signs of becoming a revolution. Many elements of these changes are, as yet, only scantily represented in the literature, but they are the stuff of bull sessions, the more liberated case conferences and solitary, sometimes fearful, experimentations. This transition comes about from a variety of influences, among which three are particularly worthy of examination for what they suggest about what is likely to emerge a half-century from now.
Clinical Demonstration 11 from the Evolution of Psychotherapy 1995 - Humanization of Technique, featuring Erving Polster, PhD.
Educational Objectives:
To describe and illustrate the difference between ordinary human engagement in therapy and technical engagement.
To describe a moment when you could discern a felt meeting of minds between patient and therapist.
Panel 02 from the Evolution of Psychotherapy 1995 - History of Psychotherapy
Featuring Erving Polster, Ph.D.; Ernest Rossi, Ph.D.; Margaret Singer, Ph.D.; and Thomas Szasz, M.D.
Moderated by Janet Edgette, PsyD.
Erving Polster (1995) demonstrates with Delisa, who is troubled by her work with geriatric patients. Polster leads Delisa quickly and deeply into her own fears of death and loss. Polster jokes, confronts, and directs Delisa into a greater self-awareness. Following the demonstration Polster explains his work and addresses questions.
The human reflex to summarize and animate experiences is a springboard for the formation of selves. Through lecture and live therapy demonstrations, Dr. Polster will show how to identify the population of selves within and how to restore linkage among them, creating a dependable sense of personal identity.