EP21 Clinical Demonstration 05 - Creative Transformation in Generative Psychotherapy - Stephen Gilligan, PhD

This demonstration will show how activating a client's creative process is the key factor in generative psychotherapy. This process follows these steps:

(1) Opening a creative safe space

(2) Identifying a goal (A positive change or transforming a negative pattern)

(3) Identifying and welcoming both obstacles and resources

(4) Weaving and integrating the parts into a new "mosaic of self"

(5) Orienting to future application of changes.

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.

Learning Objectives

1. Demonstrate how symptoms can become solutions under proper conditions

2. Demonstrate 3 ways to practically activate a client's creative change potential

3. Demonstrate how to integrate conflicting parts into a new self-wholeness