This workshop seeks to provide a venue for clinicians to develop and hone specific skills derived from the fast-growing social neuroscience, acceptance/commitment and mindfulness empirical literatures in order to stave off negative personal outcomes in clinical work.  Using minimal jargon, and relying on engaging discussion, case examples, well-developed training activities and exercises and an interactive format, this workshop aims to fill a gap in continuing education for clinicians.

         This workshop is an intensive training in acceptance and mindfulness-based strategies for developing skills in managing one’s reactivity to clients.  With development of skills for increased flexible awareness of thoughts, feelings and behavior in reaction to clients, clinicians will be more able to remain connected to their work, and to the clients themselves.  Such intervention is likely to not only benefit the therapist, but improve the treatment as well by way of improved ability to manage the therapeutic relationship.

         In the domain of psychotherapy, the “therapeutic alliance” or the helping relationship between therapists and clients, has been shown through decades of research to be the best predictor of outcome in treatment.  Technique, theoretical orientation, client or clinician personality, gender – none of these match the predictive power of the alliance.  And yet, we have few tools, specific and concrete, readily available to clinicians , for building and maximizing this relationship.  This workshop helps clinicians develop the core skills of inner management to maximize the healing connection with clients.

         When clinicians are more present, aware, and flexible, they are also more able to demonstrate compassion, attunement and even set appropriate limits on client behavior in sessions.  They are better able to “lead” the treatment toward positive outcomes.  When therapists develop and exhibit a strong presence in the therapy room, clients connect, learn and heal.

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