EP17 Speech with Discussant 02 - The Primacy of Creativity in Effective Psychotherapy - Stephen Gilligan, PhD and Jean Houston, PhD

Description:

Therapy is successful when clients are able to experientially realize positive life changes. While the identification and transformation of symptoms is important in this regard, the activation of the client's creative capacity to change is even more important. This paper outlines 6 steps in this therapeutic process:: (1) opening a mindful field, (2) setting positive intentions, (3) developing and maintaining a creative state, (4) identifying a “storyboard” for achieving goals, (5) transforming negative experiences, and (6) everyday practices Methods and case examples will be given to illuminate this core process.

Educational Objectives:

1. Demonstrate how creating new experiential realities is the primary focus of therapy.
2. Identify 3 methods for developing a client's creative state.
3. List three examples of how this creative state can be beneficially used. 

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*