67th Annual Conference

Friday, February 26

Afternoon Workshops

2:30 - 5:00 P.M.

Workshop 57

Beyond Theory: Can We Throw Out the Book?

Chairs:      

Irene Harwood, Ph.D., Psy.D., CGP, FAGPA, Assistant Clinical Professor, UCLA School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Los Angeles, California

Marvin N. Kaphan, M.S.W., CGP, Private Practice, Valley Village, California

Our theoretical orientations dictate our techniques. Group Therapists are known to get positive results using any of a wide range of techniques. This raises questions of whether something else than our theories is really the source of healing, what else may contribute, and whether theories might sometimes limit our creativity.

didactic, sharing of work experiences, demonstration, experiential

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Summarize the factors in his/her theoretical orientation that lead to healing.

2. Compare that orientation with others that apparently conflict with it.

3. Question whether theoretical differences really determine outcomes, or are other factors such as a "healing personality", “working alliance” or subtle interpersonal interactions at work.

Course References:

Bemak, F., & Epp, L. R., (1996). The 12th Curative Factor: Love as an agent of healing in group psychotherapy. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 21, 118-127.

Hersoug, A. G., Hoglend, P., Monsen, J. T., & Havik, O. E. (2001). Quality of working alliance in psychotherapy. Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research, 10, 205-216.

Kaphan, M. N., (2006). The changing face of group psychotherapy: Adventures in fifty years of practice. Group Psychotherapy Association of Southern California Articles of Interest, Retrieved from http://www.gpasc.org/articlesofinterest.cfm