66th Annual Conference

Thursday, February 19

Afternoon Workshops

2:30 - 5:00 P.M.

Master Workshop 25

Co-Therapy: Harmonizing Two Distinct and Equal Partners

Presented under the auspices of the Co-Therapy Special Interest Group

Chairs:                

Barbara Kidder, M.A., Private Practice, Seattle, Washington

Eugene Kidder, M.Div., CGP, Private Practice, Seattle, Washington

Open to participants with more than ten years of group psychotherapy experience

This workshop demonstrates how a co-therapy team creates and maintains a group therapy container, exemplifying ways co-therapists sustain their partnership. Criteria for selecting a co-therapist are addressed. Effective understanding and use of transference and countertransference between therapists and between members and therapists receive prime consideration. Co-therapist selection process for group members will be studied. Competition between therapists, conflict and intimacy questions will be attended. Leaders experience totals over 70 years, so this workshop is suitable for both less and more experienced group therapists.

experiential-demonstration-didactic-sharing of work experiences

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Develop criteria for choosing a co-therapist, develop skills in co-therapy team management.

2. Refine complementary styles in co-therapy leadership.

3. Learn the deeper uses of transference and Countertransference in the total uses.

4. Construct a framework for co-therapist selection process of group members.

Course References:

1. Roller, Bill and Nelson, Vivian (The Art of Co-Therapy) London, New York: Guilford Press, 1991.

2. "Co-therapy: An Interpersonal Encounter", Gail Polsby, M.S.W. CGP. National Group Psychotherapy Institute, 1996.

3. "Compatibility Between Co-therapists: An Empirical Report Psychotherapy", Volume 24, Spring 1987. Bernard et al.