Description:

Hypnotherapy and psychotherapy have been developing over time through various phases. Directive therapies with an intervention orientation have shifted over the years to suggestive and client centered approaches. More recently both research and practice has opened our minds to relational and responsive approaches. The concept of “client responsiveness” is discussed in my book with Ernest Rossi, The Practitioner’s Guide to Mirroring Hands. We are continuing the ideas and practices of Milton Erickson, who was ahead of his time. Many examples of Erickson’s prescience can be found throughout the 16 volumes of The Collected Works of Milton Erickson, edited by Rossi, Rossi and Erickson-Klein. This presentation explores the foundational elements of being client-responsive and how to utilize these concepts in a creative and emergent way. This session will explore i) language principles ii) sensitive observation and iii) improvisational responsiveness. We will both discuss and experience these qualities in a series of activities. These elements, and others we describe in our book, truly allow for the co-creation of a therapeutic experience that fully embraces both the qualities of the therapist and the implicit expertise within the client to mutually discover what needs to be done.

Educational Objectives:

1. List and demonstrate various language principles of client responsive therapy.
2. Describe and demonstrate practical activities that enhance the therapist’s sensitive observation of the client.
3. Describe and demonstrate how to be responsive to the client and co-create the therapeutic experience.

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*