Institute for Integrative Psychotherapy

Integrative Psychotherapy
Training Programs and Workshops

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Developmental Attunement, Relational-Needs and Therapeutic Presence

Richard Erskine, Ph.D. hosted by: nscience UK

New
A one-day training workshop : Monday, November 13 2017 10:00-17:00
Dublin, Ireland

“The healing of cumulative neglects, traumas, and attachment disruptions occurs through a contactful therapeutic relationship”

A contact-oriented and Relational psychotherapy through inquiry, attunement and involvement responds to the client’s current needs for an emotionally nurturing relationship that is reparative and sustaining. The aim of such therapy is the integration of the affect-laden experiences and an intrapsychic reorganization of the client’s beliefs about self and others while acknowledging, validating and normalizing the client’s essential relational needs. As therapists, how do we allow affective, behavioural, cognitive and physiological dimensions to inform our therapeutic direction while effectively interpreting whether ego state regression, activation of the intrapsychic influence of introjection and presence of defence mechanisms are indications of contact deficits that seek fulfilment?

At this unique and practical training workshop, Dr Richard Erskine draws on an integrative therapeutic approach and explains Relational Psychotherapy as a process of making whole: taking disowned, unaware, unresolved aspects of the ego and making them part of the cohesive self. He especially highlights how ‘developmental attunement’ is key to this reparative process – through which, we as therapists can sensitise our therapeutic responses to a client’s regression, while remaining aware that such regression allows clients to access defended memories and experience otherwise forbidden affect.

Through lecture, case vignettes, videos & therapy demonstrations and clinical discussions, the workshop helps us comprehend a series of psychotherapeutic methods that include:

  • the creation of interpersonal contact;
  • the formation of a healing relationship;
  • the therapeutic use of phenomenological inquiry;
  • the relational centrality of attunement to the client’s affects and rhythm;
  • the timing of relational-inquiry;
  • the significance of resonating with the client’s level of emotional development;
  • the affirming use of acknowledgement, validation, and normalization;
  • the distinction between a reactive and responsive countertransference;
  • the centrality of therapeutic presence

Keeping in mind the therapeutic challenges we face as psychotherapists, psychologists, counsellors and psychiatrists, Richard describes the Eight Relational-Needs essential for human development and wellbeing. He focusses on the centrality of an involved therapeutic relationship while emphasizing the in-depth methods of a psychotherapy that integrates the client's affect, cognition, physiology and behaviour.

Suggested readings in preparation for this workshop include:

Beyond Empathy: A Therapy of Contact in Relationship

by Richard Erskine, Janet Moursund, and Rebecca Trautmann, 1999,

Relational Patterns, Therapeutic Presence , by Richard G. Erskine, 2015.

Both of these books are available through www.karnacbooks.com or Amazon.com

Bookings: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/developmental-attunement-relational-needs-and-therapeutic-presence-tickets-33775505446

Contact: Helen Smith, nScienceUK
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7096 1722
Web page: www.nscience.co.uk
Venue: THE FITZWILLIAM HOTEL DUBLIN, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
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The Institute for Integrative Psychotherapy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists, by the National Board of Certified Counselors for counselors and by the American Board of Examiners in Pastoral Counseling for pastoral counselors. The Institute for Integrative Psychotherapy maintains responsibility for this program and its content.