Pre-Internship August 31, 2009

Today’s Outline… Podcasting tutorial (1:00-1:45) Dyads/triads (1:45-2:15) Break (2:15-2:30) Essential therapist characteristics (2:30- 3:15) Check-in (3:15-3:30) Student representative election (3:30- 3:50)

PODCASTING TUTORIAL

DYADS/TRIADS

BREAK 2:15-2:30

ESSENTIAL THERAPIST CHARACTERISTICS

Essential Therapist Characteristics What are the essential characteristics or behaviors of the therapist that lead to constructive behavioral change in the client? Genuineness Nonpossessive warmth Accurate empathy

Nonpossessive Warmth Definitions Nonjudgmental acceptance of the client Commitment, effort to understand, & spontaneity Client actions are seen as natural, normal, & expected given his/her circumstances & perceptions

Nonpossessive Warmth Ranges from high to low High – warmly accepting client’s experiences as part of that person w/o imposing conditions Low – evaluating a client or his feelings, expressing dislike or disapproval, or expressing warmth in a selective and evaluative way

Genuineness Definitions Openness to experience Ability to be a real person, presenting self with defensive phoniness, without hiding behind professional role The therapist is really whatever his/her response denotes How can we expect authenticity in clients if we are not authentic in therapy?

Accurate Empathy Definitions Sensitivity to current feelings & verbal facility to communicate understanding in a language attuned to client’s current feelings Ability to perceive & communicate Being “inside” the client, yet remaining “outside”

Accurate Empathy Why is empathy important? What does it actually do in therapy? (Egan, 1994) Builds the relationship Stimulates self-exploration Checks understanding Provides support Lubricates communication Focuses attention Restrains the helper Paves the way

Percentage of Improvement in Psychotherapy Patients as a Function of Therapeutic Factors (Lambert, 1992)

Accurate Empathy How do I “do” accurate empathy? Ask yourself, “What core message(s) are being expressed in terms of feelings & the experiences & behaviors that underlie these feelings? What is most important in what the client is saying to me?” Check your accuracy with client. Formula: “You feel _____ because _____.” Give yourself time to think. Use short responses. Gear your response to the client, but remain yourself.

Accurate Empathy What not to do No response Ask question A cliché An interpretation Advice Parroting Sympathy & agreement

The Movement Caused by Accurate & Inaccurate Empathy (Egan, 1994) Client’s Statement Helper’s Empathic Response INACCURATE Verbal or Nonverbal Indication of Inaccuracy by Client Restatement, Modification, or Correction by Helper Confirmation of Accuracy by Client Plus Further Clarification or Elaboration ACCURATE Verbal or Nonverbal Confirmation of Accuracy by Client Plus... Further Clarification and Elaboration by Client Next Round in Dialog

Accurate Empathy Signs that you are accurate Verbal or nonverbal indication that you are right Client moves forward in helping process Signs that you are inaccurate Clients stops talking Client fumbles around Client changes subject Client tells you that wasn’t what was meant Client tries to be empathic with you to help get you back on track

PRACTICING RECOGNIZING DEEPER FEELINGS & EXPERIENCE

CHECK-IN

ELECTION OF STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

For Next Week… Topics: Genogram construction & APA style review Readings McGoldrick et al, 3-4 MFI Policies & Procedures Manual