THERAPIST TRAINING: Strength Based Therapy

First Friday of the month December 2, 2011 through June 15, 2012

(Dec. 2, Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 2, April 6, May 1,  June 1 (June 15 or a date determined by participants))

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

33 Pleasant Street Concord, NH

Tutoring & Instructional Services

(parking behind the building)

16 CE cedits through co-sponsorship with NHPA

This is an eight month didactic and experiential intensive training for therapists in applying positive psychology, interpersonal neurobiology and mindfulness with clients. It includes a valuable workbook for your professional and personal use.

Having supervised many students and clinicians, Dr. Olson and Dr. Kamman believe that we therapists do our best work when we have a deep "gut level" knowledge of the tools we use. Therefore we will be applying much of what we learn on ourselves, before we use it with our clients.

You probably realize that for more than a century therapists have been doing a great job helping millions of people heal from depression, anxiety, trauma and much more. But, not being depressed is different from being happy; not feeling anxious is different from actually being relaxed.

Healing, curing, problem solving, and alleviating symptoms all resolve negative states, therapists do that well. Research begun during the last decade now adds new techniques to help clients increase well-being, fulfillment, life meaning and flourishing.

Research in Positive Psychology has identified useful and effective strategies to improve well being by increasing positive emotions, engagement, life meaning, positive relationships and accomplishment. In this training you will learn how to assess and apply these research based interventions with your clients (and in your own life) to help people move beyond healing to flourishing.

During the past decade, technology (e.g., fMRI, PET Scan) has made it possible to begin to learn how the brain works. Having this knowledge helps therapists understand why specific interventions are effective and provides opportunities for developing new ones. For example, research in the field of interpersonal neurobiology shows how the therapeutic relationship changes the physical structure of the brain; why habits are so difficult to change; and how to change them.

Mindfulness is simultaneously ancient and current. Mindfulness has its roots in the 2500 year old Buddhist tradition while it also is the subject of current brain research. Both paths of knowledge show how and why it is an important and useful tool for us therapsits.

This eight month training will incorporate didactic and experiential learning, as well as opportunities for case consultation.  Everything we do and talk about will be researched based. There will be homework, because neuroscience shows it helps learning.

16 CE's are offered through a co-sponsorship with the New Hampshire Psychological Association (accepted by the NH Board of Mental Health Practice for all licenses).

Although there are specific topics we will teach, we also are very responsive to your interests and needs.

Learning objectives:
    1.    Learn the acronym "P E R M A" from positive psychology to categorize the research and support therapeutic interventions..

    2.    Understand some basic facts from interpersonal neurobiology that facilitate life change:

                Hebb’s Law - “what fires together wires together” and “inspire to rewire".

                
Function of the brain stem, limbic region, cortex, medial prefrontal cortex.
             

                Function of the fight-flight-freeze center; the polyvagal theory and its impact on day-to-day thinking

                Learn how psychotherapy changes the physical structure of the brain.

3.  Use the hand model to demonstrate brain functioning.

4.  Learn to use two strength assessment tools to apply with clients.

5.  Apply well researched positive psychology exercises with clients including: “me at my best story”, “reflected best self letter” and “gratitude journal.”

6.  Understand Fredrickson’s Broaden and Build theory on the power of positive emotions to improve problem solving skills.

7.  Use activities to integrate strengths into daily life including: “using strengths in novel ways;” “using strengths to overcome obstacles;” and, “strength based portfolios.”

8.  Understanding how some pathology may be seen as the misapplication of strengths.

The fee is $600.00 and may be paid in two $300.00 payments. Call us for details 877 418 4234