Therapy is successful when clients are able to experientially realize positive life changes. While the identification and transformation of symptoms is important in this regard, the activation of the client's creative capacity to change is even more important. This paper outlines 6 steps in this therapeutic process: (1) opening a mindful field, (2) setting positive intentions, (3) developing and maintaining a creative state, (4) identifying a “storyboard” for achieving goals, (5) transforming negative experiences, and (6) everyday practices. Methods and case examples will be given to illuminate this core process.
Traditional Western European therapy operates from hidden assumptions: (a) disorders reside in individuals, (b) disorders are departures from conventional (statistical) norms, (c) psychological principles derived from the dominant group are universally applicable, and (d) therapy consists of a series of strategies and techniques detached from the cultural context. When imposed upon clients of color, however, they potentially produce therapeutic harm.
It is not that difficult to produce change within a session, but a far greater challenge to ensure that these changes are lasting. In this conversation, Robert Dilts and Stephen Gilligan will each identify the key dimensions of sustainable change, then open a conversation about how to generatively apply them.
Poetry and Presence: Each can lead to client change. This session explores the intersection of two experiential methods, gestalt practice and Ericksonian therapy.
In the aftermath of experiencing traumatic and victimizing experiences, most individuals are impacted, but some 75% go onto evidence resilience, and in some instances Post Traumatic Growth. If the “body keeps score”, then what distinguishes the 75% resilient group from the 25% who develop PTSD and related disorders? This debate will address this question and the treatment implications for psychotherapeutic interventions.
The modern perspective of hypnosis considers the role of attention and absorption in catalyzing adaptive responses. Hypnosis provides a context for developing new associations on multiple levels that have therapeutic potential. In this clinical demonstration, a hypnosis session will be conducted to assist the client in evolving resources that may be helpful to facilitate personal growth.
Cultural factors are present in all therapeutic relationships. Engaging the totality of individual clients by addressing their intersecting identities can promote self-affirmation and clarity about internalized oppression. The cultural competency paradigm and the Dimensions of Personal Identity model will serve as the primary reference points.
Join the father of Positive Psychology in this session as we explore the world history of Agency and its relation to the past, present, and future of Positive Psychology, Positive Education, and Positive Psychotherapy. Highlighted concepts will include PERMA, Causal Intervention, Well-being, Future Mindedness, Learned Optimism, and Learned Helplessness, among others. How are the Age of Progress and Positive Psychology related? What possibilities could arise from effectively using Positive Psychology in overcoming personal and global challenges? Attendees will be able to define, understand, and potentially implement Positive Psychology in their professional setting.
Dr. Burns’ new book, Feeling Great, is based on 40 years of research on how this cognitive therapy actually works, and more than 40,000 hours of therapy with depressed and anxious individuals, and includes powerful new tools to melt away therapeutic “resistance.” This opens the door to ultra-rapid treatment for the first time.
Having just celebrated his 80th birthday, 55th year of clinical practice, research and supervision, and 24th year as Research Director of the Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention. Don Meichenbaum will be discussing the “lessons learned”, including what “expert” psychotherapists do to achieve lasting changes and ways to spot HYPE in the field of psychotherapy. This will include a critique of the “state of the art” of both psychotherapy and cognitive behavior therapy.