Educational Objectives:
To describe the method of "orienting toward."
Given a patient, demonstrate appropriate use of the technique of guiding associations.
Educational Objectives:
To list three reasons for working with dreams in the initial interview and in brief psychotherapy.
Given patients with no dreaming, list techniques for eliciting dreams and for "dream substitutes."
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.
Zeig (1995) demonstrates the Ericksonian approach to psychotherapy while working with Carol, a woman whose nail-biting habit is rooted in anxiety. After gathering information on her personal history, Zeig helps Carol utilize her values and history to affect change. The process is both humorous and dramatic. After working to change associations linked to the problem behavior, Zeig offers Carol an ordeal that will produce a "guaranteed cure." Hypnosis is offered as the "dessert", rather than the main course. Ericksonian approach to psychotherapy.
Otto Kernberg (1995) demonstrates a supervision session with a therapist who presents a case of a 42-year-old male with a narcissistic personality and self-destructive tendencies. This male therapist feels as though the therapy has reached a stalemate. Kernberg suggests various hypotheses about the case. The volunteer then describes his reaction to the supervision.
Methods for training therapists customarily are directed to developing cognitive abilities. Using Milton Erickson as a model, an alternate, experiential approach is offered. The "evoking style" of the therapist determines the outcome of the treatment more than the theoretical and clinical methods to which the therapist ascribes.