64th Annual Conference

Thursday, March 8

Morning Workshops

10:00 A.M.-1:15 P.M.

Workshop 8

Therapist Responses to Patient Challenges to the Therapist

Open to participants with less than four years of group psychotherapy experience.

Chairs:         

William Piper, Ph.D., CGP, DFAGPA, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Vancouver, British Columbia

Rene Weideman, Ph.D., Director, Clinical Psychology Centre, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia

We will compare interpretive and supportive therapist responses to challenges in group therapy. Examples of challenges are: Persistent Lateness, Failure to Pay Fees, Scapegoating, and Rule-Breaking, and Outside Contact between Group Members. Lecture, discussion, handouts and role-plays will bring contrasting approaches to life.

demonstration, experiential, didactic, sharing of work experiences

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Differentiate supportive and interpretive therapist responses to challenges.

2. Select interventions according to treatment objectives when challenges occur.

3. Revise responses if initial interventions are not useful.

Course References:

1. Gans, J. and Alonso, A. (1998). Difficult Patients: Their construction in group therapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy. 48(3), 311-326.
2. L. Motherwell and J. Shay. (Eds.) (2005). Complex Dilemmas in Group Therapy: Pathways to resolution. New York: Brunner/Routledge.
3. Piper, W., McCallum, M., Joyce, A., Rosie, J., & Ogrodniczuk, J. (2001). Patient Personality and Time-Limited Group Psychotherapy for Complicated Grief. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy. 51(4), 525-552.