IC04 Topical Panel 02 - Brief Therapy - George Burns, B A . (Hons.), Steve de Shazer, M.S.S.W., Richard Fisch, M.D., Wendel Ray, Ph.D.
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- Not yet rated
- Topic Areas:
- Topical Panels | Brief Therapy
- Categories:
- Erickson Congress | Erickson Congress 2004
- Faculty:
- Steve De Shazer, MSSW | Richard Fisch, MD | Wendel Ray, PhD | George Burns, MA, PsS
- Duration:
- 1:00:34
- Format:
- Audio Only
- Original Program Date:
- Dec 03, 2004
- License:
- Never Expires.
Description
Outline:
Defining Brief Therapy & Its Evolution
- Brief therapy is introduced, with audience input on its definition.
- Historical context: a 10-session limit was common in the late 60s and early 70s.
- Experiments showed clients acted near the last sessions; unlimited sessions were most effective.
- Discussion on session averages: Steve averaged three, the team around four and a half.
Personal Approaches in Brief Therapy
- George Burns shares his private practice focus on metaphors, positive psychology, and nature-based therapy.
- Nature scenes in therapy reduce anxiety and aid healing.
- Wendell Ray discusses his background, influenced by MRI and Milton Erickson.
Therapeutic Similarities & Differences
- Discussion on shared minimalist approaches, focusing on client exceptions.
- Don Jackson’s influence: relationship and context matter.
- Importance of understanding client language and simplifying therapy.
Challenges & Criticisms of Diagnosis
- Debate on diagnosis and its role in understanding human problems.
- MRI’s approach: focus on attempted solutions, not problems.
- Concerns over pathologizing normal responses and over-labeling.
Alternatives to Diagnosis
- Discussion on medical perspectives and the need for more research in brief therapy.
- Emphasis on resolving problems over labeling clients.
- Questioning the classification of happiness as a disorder.
- Challenges with clients seeking specific diagnoses and medications.
Insurance & Diagnosis Requirements
- Diagnosis is often necessary for insurance billing.
- Success in Australia preventing mandatory diagnoses for coverage.
- Suggestion: Let clients choose their own diagnoses to satisfy insurers.
Effective Strategies & Client Empowerment
- Slowing therapy can lead to better results.
- Story about Duke Ellington illustrating patience in therapy.
- Panel reflects on valid diagnoses like autism and epilepsy.
- Focus on empowering clients beyond their labels.
Conclusion
- Gratitude expressed to the audience.
- Final takeaway: Practical, effective therapy matters more than diagnostic labels.
Credits
Faculty
Steve De Shazer, MSSW Related Seminars and Products
STEVE DE SHAZER, MSSW, is co-founder and Senior Research Associate at the Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is co-developer of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. He is the author of five books and various professional articles. Mr. de Shazer is on the editorial boards of various journals and has presented, trained and consulted widely in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.
Richard Fisch, MD Related Seminars and Products
RICHARD FISCH, MD, is a psychiatrist in private practice; consultant to the San Mateo County Juvenile Probation Department and Director of the Brief Therapy Center at the Mental Research Institute. Dr. Fisch has co-authored Change - Principles of Problem Formation and Problem Resolution and The Tactics of Change - Doing Therapy Briefly. He is recipient of awards for family therapy from AFTA and AAMFT.
Wendel Ray, PhD Related Seminars and Products
Wendel A. Ray, Ph.D, is Hammond Endowed Professor of Education and Professor of Family System Theory in the Marriage & Therapy Program, at The University of Louisiana-Monroe (ULM). The former Director of the Mental Research Institute (MRI) in Palo Alto, California, as well as a former member of the MRI Brief Therapy Center, and the MRI Strategic Family Therapy Project, Dr. Ray continues to serve as an MRI Senior Research Fellow.
George Burns, MA, PsS Related Seminars and Products
George Burns, MA, PsS, is internationally recognized for his seven books, including the best-selling 101 Healing Stories and his recent, much acclaimed Happiness, Healing, Enhancement. An Australian clinical psychologist, therapist trainer, George is also an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at Edith Cowan University and Director of the Milton H. Erickson Institute of Western Australia.