Therapist Development

This collection focuses on specific ways that you can improve your therapeutic practice. Whether that means incorporating a more artistic approach, managing homework assignments, improving empathy, or increasing creativity, you'll find a wide array of inspiration here.

Art of Psychotherapy

Groundbreaking educational series only found at the Erickson Foundation. Renowned psychotherapist Jeffrey Zeig conducts a live clinical demonstration of a brief psychotherapy session. Each session Dr. Zeig spends an hour working with a new client. After each session, there is a discussion of the techniques and approaches used in the session.

Attunement

A definition of attunement ‘is a kinesthetic and emotional sensing of others knowing their rhythm, affect and experience by metaphorically being in their skin, and going beyond empathy to create a two-person experience of unbroken feeling connectedness by providing a reciprocal affect and/or resonating response’. (Erksine 1998). One could say it is our ability to be present to, and with, another’s expression of their experience.

Humor

There is abundant evidence that documents positive physical and psychological health benefits of humor. The power of humor allows us to create rapport with the client, helping to put them at ease. You don't have to be a comedian to use humor effectively in therapy, and we can show you how.

Law and Ethics

Conducting therapy sessions is one part of being a therapist. However, there are myriad legal and ethical issues that health practitioners of all disciplines should be cognizant of. Topics range from confidentiality, privilege, record keeping, coping with subpoenas, dealing with complaints and ideally avoiding complaints in the first place with best practices.

Multicultural Considerations

Multicultural competency is become a more and more important facet in every therapist’s toolbox. Multicultural education allows therapists to hone their critical thinking skills on topics surrounding cultural and social issues like institutional racism, classism, and sexism. The goal of multicultural education is to help clear up misconceptions people may have towards certain cultural groups and backgrounds, helping to eradicate the stigma placed on these groups. Some of the most difficult but most necessary work in multicultural education involves helping those who are used to being in charge learn to listen to and take seriously those they have learned to dismiss.

Therapeutic Relationship

The therapeutic relationship refers to the relationship between a healthcare professional and a client or patient. It is the means by which a therapist and a client hope to engage with each other and effect beneficial change in the client. Developing a good working relationship with the client or patient is an essential step to building a rapport.

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