This workshop will explore the assessment of the functioning of couples in their sexual life, their daily interactions, and their individual and jointly arrived at value systems. The techniques of this assessment, the combination of couples’ and individual partners’ interviews will be followed by an overview of alternative therapeutic strategies.
The majority of people who seek psychiatric care have histories of trauma, chaos or neglect. Advances in the neurosciences, attachment research and in information processing show how brain function is shaped by experience, and that life itself can continually transform perception and biology. Overwhelming experiences alter the capacity for selfregulation and memory processing due to changes in sub-cortical, i.e., “unconscious” levels of the brain.
This workshop will outline the use of attachment theory in the assessment of Relationship problems, setting of treatment goals, creation of change events and moment to moment interventions in emotionally focused couples therapy.
Mindful awareness has been scientifically proven to promote social, emotional and physical well-being, and is an effective part of treatment to prevent relapse of drug addiction and chronic depression. Mindfulness also enhances empathy, and in that way may promote healthy interpersonal relationships. This ancient practice of being fully aware in the present moment, without grasping onto judgments, has been found in cultures around the world. At the heart of this proposal is that the state of mindful awareness harnesses specific social and emotional circuits in the brain. The development of these “resonance circuits” creates an integrated brain state that creates the benefits of improved immune and cardiac function, enhanced empathy and self-understanding, and a deeper connection to oneself and others.
Starting with a review of recent studies on the neurobiology of trauma, Dr. van der Kolk will examine the utility of approaches from the fields of hypnosis, body oriented therapies and EMDR, both with research data and videotaped clinical interventions. The integration of these approaches during different stages of treatment will be discussed.
This workshop will offer a Semi-Structured Guide for interviewing couples, either together or individually, using hypnotic language and circular crossed questioning. A format will be given to lead the first and subsequent sessions. It will show how to construct questions, reframing and tasks using Ericksonian hypnosis and solution-focused therapy to get good results in about four sessions.
In this workshop, you will learn how to recognize and track troublesome trances that couples trigger in one another. You will discover how the utilization of these stuck psychological states can act as the point for subtle and precise therapeutic interventions. With the use of metaphor, this technique is minimally invasive and elicits maximal receptivity from clients.