Training and Supervision

Training Overview

Course presentations combine didactic and videotaped case material. Introductory and advanced courses are offered. The introductory course begins with basic principles and their application in the evaluation and treatment phases of therapy. A small group format is employed for the training. Both instructors and students will present video recordings of their work with patients during these group training sessions. Advanced courses present techniques for working with specialized patient populations. The value of exploring patient-therapist interactions will be studied. Licensed therapists and students enrolled in graduate and postgraduate, psychotherapy training programs are invited to apply.

Introductory Course

This course will emphasize the importance of the experience of affect. Theory explaining the connection of affect to symptoms will be discussed and techniques to be used by patients and therapists to gain access to affect will be explored. After learning how to recognize and gain access to affect, therapists will learn how to help their patients bear and regulate affect. The following topics will receive special attention:

The Origin and Function of Defenses

Defense Analysis
Empathy
Empathic Interaction
Affect Related Sensations
Experiential Techniques
Grief, Guilt, Love & Anger

Videotaped vignettes will be used to illustrate theory and technique.

Advanced Course

Participants in advanced courses must be practicing psychotherapists. All will be required to bring videotapes of a patient currently in treatment with them at times during the course. The participants will begin by studying patient/therapist interactions and proceed to linking thse interactions to patient symptoms and past history. The techniques presented in the introductory courses will be used to help patients understand themselves as well as to tolerate and make use of the affect(s) they had previously feared.

As the avoidance of affect decreases, defensive behavior and symptoms decrease. Improvement leads to mixed feelings in patients about themselves and past events. When patients and therapists explore these mixed feelings and the increasing sense of connection that patients have with their therapists, another series of reactions occur. Exploring these reactions leads to a deeper understanding and satisfaction.

Supervision Overview

Supervision is available to individuals and small groups. The frequency of supervisory sessions ranges from one-hour weekly to several hours once every two months. Supervision arrangements are tailored to the experience and requirements of each therapist. Supervisees will be required to bring video recordings of the therapeutic work which they plan to present for supervision. Request a consultation to discuss options and formats available to you.

For Further Information

To discuss these courses or supervision, please leave a voice message at The STDP Institute, (212) 213-6156. Please indicate whether or not you are interested in courses at the New York or New Jersey location.