What do I say next? When a client discloses something difficult to handle. 10-28-9

2 Hours of Continuing Education credit offered for; LCSW, LMFT, LMHC

Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling - CE Provider # 50-462 expires 3-31-2011

All participants receive a certificate of completion.

Description

All counselors have had the experience of a client disclosing information that is difficult to deal with. This frequently seems to happen when there is less than five minutes left in the session. The information may be something that needs to be reported to authorities (e.g.; abuse), requires further evaluation (e.g.; self-harm), a revelation that upsets the therapist (e.g.; bigoted remark, engaging in behavior the therapist finds abhorrent), or that brings potent new information into the therapeutic relationship (e.g.; graphic reports of abuse or incest in the past, bigamy, criminal behaviors). These are but a few of the many things a therapist hears that requires him or her to quickly think on their seat.

This workshop is designed to provide an interactive environment where counselors will bring in actual case experiences, explore their reactions to the material, and brainstorm about appropriate therapeutic responses. Participants are encouraged to bring in case examples where a client said something that caused the counselor to ask themselves: What do I say next?

Learning Objectives

After attending this workshop participants will be able to:

• Identify their own emotional reaction to a client's disclosure and engage in anxiety containment.
• Evaluate the client's immediate motivation for saying what they said when they said it.
• Identify short-term means of containing the affect in the session while maintaining realistic boundaries.
• Develop strategies for responding to "difficult" material on the spot.

Participants are encouraged to bring in examples where a client said something that caused the counselor to ask themselves: What do I say next?

Presented by

Robert Glaser, Ph.D.  Bob is a licensed clinical psychologist who retired from actively practicing psychology after maintaining a 15 year private practice in Tampa. His practice included the treatment of children, adults and marital therapy. He has advanced credentials in the treatment of substance abuse, hypnotherapy and sex therapy.