For the first time in history, empowered women are asking for emotional intimacy in their relationships. Many men are coming up short leaving them unfulfilled, frustrated, bewildered and unloved. Traditional therapy sidesteps this basic asymmetry - Rational Empowerment Therapy addresses it. In this address, participants will be introduced to the art of relational empowerment. This radical new approach to intimacy and couples therapy will look at the five losing agendas that waylay good people from fulfilling their goals. This address also will introduce participants to the fundamental techniques of Terry Real's Relationship Turnaround, a method of producing quick, profound and permanent change in troubled couples.
From Freud to Erickson to the current practice of psychotherapy, the nature of human problems has remained the same. What has changed is which problems we consider are within the realm of psychotherapy to elucidate. When Erickson introduced the concept of directive therapy, the field changed, not only in terms of how to do therapy, but also in terms of what are the issues a therapist must address. Is there a place for the concept of evil, for the practice of justice, and for the spiritual realm in therapy? What do we know today that we didn't know a hundred years ago? How can we preserve the existence of the therapist as humanist, social activist and systemic thinker?
The implication of current research in neuroscience is that psychological experiences of novelty, enrichment, and exercise activate gene expression and brain plasticity (growth) in therapeutic hypnosis and psychotherapy. What does this mean for the actual clinical practice and rehabilitation as well as creative everyday living?
In working with students in Study Abroad Programs, I have observed that often students develop natural trance states especially in the first three stages of the adjustment period. These natural trance states can be utilized and deepened using Ericksonian hypnosis to allow the students to experience a trance state within the therapeutic setting and rapport. Utilization of hypnotic resources that occur spontaneously helps the students to minimize or avoid the more negative aspects of Culture Shock or Adjustment Disorder.
First half of life is about adaptation to gender and social norms and expectations at which a person succeeds or fails. Midlife raises the question: is this all there is? What now? What next/ A time for questions about the meaning and purpose of life, about responses to suffering and loss, creative expression, spiritual insights.