The distinguishing elements of a psychotherapy conducted from an existential orientation and holding humanistic values. Topics briefly dealt with include centering on process rather than content; authenticity of encounter; commitment; presence; concern; the subjective; intentionality vs. causality; and developing depth of inquiry. Didactic presentations, questions and discussion, and demonstrations.
Like lock and key, illness and treatment are matching, symmetrical terms. Because the term "mental illness" is misleading, I prefer to avoid the term "psychotherapy," which refers (or ought to refer) to a particular kind(s) of dialogue, discourse, or situation of personal influence.
Edited video of thirty-five hours of family therapy conducted along with co-therapist, David Keith. Psychotic episode occurred in the father and three sibs but not in the mother.
New developments will be presented in the theory and technique of strategic therapy with individuals, families, and couples, including prescribing the metaphor and the use of confusional techniques with families. Concepts will be illustrated with videotaped examples.
Change in psychotherapy is a gradual process with predictable stages which can be understood and prepared for. Integrating new perspectives and behaviors requires attention to the needs of each of three phases: support, accommodation, and assimilation. These stages will be defined and demonstrated in work with volunteer workshop participants.
This approach is a short-term, focused psychotherapy that uses clear contracts for change, respect for the autonomy of the client, imaginative games, effective self-reparenting, and client redecision. Emphasized will be freeing the client from early "stuck" spots. Lecture, case presentation, and large-group exercises.
This workshop will center around a videotape of my work. Discussion will focus around what I see, how I choose the moment of intervention, and the kinds of intervention I choose. Concepts will be related to the theory underlying my practice as a family therapist.
An exposition of the methods of obtaining from neurotic patients the information necessary for selection of techniques, description of the most common techniques, demonstration of relaxation training and assertive training.