63rd Annual Conference

Saturday, February 25

Afternoon Workshops

2:15-5:30 P.M.

Workshop 93

Here & Now and There & Then-Paradoxes Present in Group Psychotherapy

Chair:         

Robert Carlson, M.Div., M.S.W., Private Practice, Seattle/Bellevue, Washington

Existential paradoxes and dilemmas emerge in all psychodynamic groups.  The creative tension between attachment and autonomy, desire and dread, perception and projection, in addition to several other polarities, present challenges for even experienced clinicians.  In this experiential workshop we will explore helpful perspectives from existential philosophy and relational psychotherapy.

Experiential-didactic-demonstration-sharing of work experiences

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Identify several paradoxes that present themselves in groups.

2. Analyze the dilemmas that paradoxes evoke.

3. Differentiate existential angst from psychopathology.

Course References:

1. Botton, A. (2000). The Consolations of Philosophy.  NY, NY: Pantheon Books.

2.Ghent, E. (1992). Paradox and Process. Psychoanalytic Dialogues, 2, 135-159.

3. Smith, K. & Berg, D. (!997). Paradoxes of Group Life: Understanding Conflict, Paralysis and Movement in Group Dynamics. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.