From Boring Theory to Exciting Practice John Sommers-Flanagan Rita Sommers-Flanagan Department of Counselor Education University of Montana Johnsommersflanagan.com

Today’s Plan Theories should be practical, relevant, exciting – and funny! Look at Psychoanalytic, Existential, and Feminist theory and . . . Identify listening focus linked to each theory Watch video clip demo of specific skills Offer in-vivo classroom demonstration

The Psychoanalytic Listening Focus The counselor listens for repeating themes Sexual/aggressive impulses/conflicts Repeating unsatisfactory relationship patterns Repeating defensive patterns

Psychoanalytic Demonstrations You have 1 minute to prepare a 1 minute presentation

Psychoanalytic Video Clip Sara and John Free association Interpretation Collaborative exploration of the past*

Existential Demonstrations Partner up: “What do you . . . Want?” And repeat

Existential Video Clip Peggy and Nilda Nilda is using topical focusing on something meaningful and joyful for Peggy

The Existential Listening Focus We listen for awareness We listen for meaning We listen for the existential psychodynamics (meaning, isolation, death, freedom) and how people handle them We listen for joy and awe and signs of being engaged with life

The Feminist Listening Focus We listen for oppression We listen for the gaining and losing of the self We listen for self-esteem We listen for and work with anger, sadness, and other emotions that should be honored

Feminist Demonstrations You wake up in the morning and . . .

Feminist Video Clip Amanda and Rita Listen for Rita pushing-guiding Amanda to focus on what she wants

Concluding Comments Theories classes should always have practice components You can access free materials at johnsommersflanagan.com The DVD is now available through Wiley