Modern psychot
herapy is about 125 years old - during that time it has grown and expanded
from its origins in the late 19th century into the rich and diverse field
of the psychological therapies that we have today\, a fifth of the way in
to the first century of the new millennium.
\nBeyond the traditional
three great branches - psychoanalysis\, behaviourism and the humanistic mo
vement - we now have a dizzying and confusing multitude of approaches. Try
ing to transcend the limitations of the traditions\, we now have many new
hybrid approaches that combine bits and pieces from the whole history\, of
ten unknowingly reinventing the wheel. The fragmented field is hard to com
prehend for us as practitioners\, it's impossible to meaningfully navigate
for a layperson.
\nThis isn’t a good state of affa
irs for the general public\, nor for us as a profession. The feedback to u
s as a profession from the general public is equally confusing: some peopl
e say that therapy is the best thing ever\, that it profoundly improves li
ves and everybody should have it\; others say that therapy is damaging and
dangerous and exploits human suffering with very little benefit to the cl
ient\; many are indifferent and overwhelmed and put off by the confusion.<
/div>\n
\nOn balance\, the whole field of the psychological
therapies these days is probably more or less as effective\, dangerous or
useless as it has been throughout the last 125 years. This is partly beca
use some inherent limitations have dominated the field since its inception
\, and continue to do so.
\n
\nAs a therapist\
, with sincere and good intentions - to alleviate unnecessary suffering an
d to support self-actualisation and fulfilment - how do you position yours
elf in the field and deliver therapy's true potential\, or at least do jus
tice to your claims?
\nAs a member of the general pu
blic\, how do you orient yourself in this bazaar of promises and find the
kind of human support that will deeply facilitate your life process?
\n
\n
Having made psychot
herapy his vocation in his early 20s\, Michael has been engaged in the fie
ld for 40 years\, as a client\, therapist\, supervisor\, teacher and consu
ltant. In this free talk\, he will share his experience\, and some of the
conclusions he has come to: what are the important key principles that wil
l enhance the learning\, practising and teaching of therapy?
\n<
em>He will spend about 40 minutes talking\, followed by a question and ans
wer session.
\n
