Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy - Mick Cooper

What does it mean to connect to others in an in-depth way in therapy, and what is its impact?

Research shows that relational depth with clients is associated with improved therapeutic outcomes.

This workshop will give participants an opportunity to explore their experiences of relational depth and how it feels to meet others at this level of intensity and intimacy: in both their therapeutic practice and everyday life. The workshop will look at the impact of, and psychological processes behind, relational disconnection, and the mechanisms by which relational depth can have a positive effect.

The second part of the workshop will focus on means by which we can deepen our relating with clients; and we will focus on both face-to-face work and online/telephone counselling. Recent research shows that relational depth can be reached in online therapy, and we will explore the factors that can facilitate, and inhibit, the experience of relational depth in this particular modality.

Participation in the workshop is on a self-selected fee basis, and a self-completion CPD certificate will be available for participants. Our one ‘ask’ is that participants commit to attending for the full day (10.00-16.00, see schedule below) so that we have a consistent community of participants throughout the day.

Participation in the workshop will be via the online platform Zoom. Please ensure that you have tested use of this platform prior to the event, so that technological problems are minimised on the day.

Once you complete your registration you will receive an email with the link to a Zoom online meeting room.

The workshop will consist of theoretical input, self-reflection exercises, and whole group discussions. All formats will be hosted via Zoom, and procedures for participating in the different formats will be explained on the day (they’re very straightforward). We ask all participants to commit to maintaining strict confidentiality: not disclosing something that has been shared by another participant outside of the workshop.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand the nature of relational depth

• Articulate their own experiences of in-depth relating

• Understand the latest research findings on the nature, impact, and prevalence of relational depth in therapy

• Recognise means of deepening levels of relating with clients, both face-to-face and online

• Recognise their own ‘chronic strategies of disconnection’ and other barriers to relational depth

RECORDING

This workshop will be recorded and you can use the ticket function to pre-purchase the recording before the event. This will be useful for colleagues who are not able to attend the event live and also for those who attend the event live and want to watch it again.

ZOOM

This workshop will be hosted on the Zoom meeting platform where we will use our cameras and microphones to interact with each other as a group.

SELF-SELECT FEE

The self-select fee is a radical inclusion policy to open learning for all colleagues. We appreciate that income varies greatly in different locations and circumstances. Please contribute what you can to help us maintain inclusive professional training.

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All the colleagues at ONLINEVENTS and the presenters we collaborate with are committed to working in a manner consistent with the BACP Ethical Framework, which can be accessed on the link below. When registering for this event you are agreeing to be present and interact in a manner that is consistent with this Framework.

https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions/

Mick Cooper

Mick Cooper is an internationally recognised author, trainer, and consultant in the field of humanistic, existential, and pluralistic therapies. He is a Chartered Psychologist, and Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton.

Mick has facilitated workshops and lectures around the world, including New Zealand, Lithuania, and Florida.

Mick's books include Existential Therapies (Sage, 2017), Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Sage, 2018), and The Handbook of Person-Centred Psychotherapy and Counselling (Palgrave, 2013).

His latest work is Integrating Counselling and Psychotherapy: Directionality, Synergy, and Social Change (Sage, 2019).

Mick’s principal areas of research have been in shared decision-making/personalising therapy, and counselling for young people in schools.

In 2014, Mick received the Carmi Harari Mid-Career Award from Division 32 of the American Psychological Association. He is a Fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and the Academy of Social Sciences.