66th Annual Conference

Saturday, February 21

Afternoon Workshops

1:30 - 4:00 P.M.

Workshop 86

Using Focal Conflict Theory in a Counseling Skills Training Group

Chair:                

Cecelia Winkelman, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer, Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy

Drawing on psychodynamic and psychodramatic approaches, the session demonstrates working with defensiveness in the learning of counseling skills. Defensiveness prevents developing one’s capacity to tolerate the not-knowing and uncertainty that is part of the work of counseling and therapy. This method relies on the group process and psychodramatic enactment.

experiential-demonstration-sharing of work experiences-didactic

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Explain the focal-conflict model.

2. Demonstrate the roles of the empathic listener.

3. Identify obstacles that block the therapist from listening empathically to the client.

Course References:

1. Bramley, W. (1979). Group tutoring. Concepts and case studies. London: Kogan Page.  (See pp. 70-73.).

2. Clayton, M., & Carter, P. (2004). The living spirit of the psychodramatic method.  Auckland, NZ: Resource Books.

3. Leveton, E. (2001). A clinician’s guide to psychodrama (3rd ed.). New York: Springer.

4. Whitaker, D.S. (1985). Using groups to help people. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

5. Whitaker, D.S., & Lieberman, M.A. (2008). Psychotherapeutic change through the group process. New Brunswick: Aldine Transaction Publishers.