Solution focused therapy
Solution focused therapy (SFT) has not only become one of the leading schools of brief therapy, it has become a major influence in such diverse fields as business, social policy, education, and criminal justice services, child welfare, domestic violence offender’s treatment. Described as a practical, goal-driven model, a hallmark of SFT is its emphasis on clear, concise, realistic goal negotiations. The SFT approach assumes that all clients have some knowledge of what would make their life better, even though they may need some help describing the details of their better life and that everyone who seeks help already possesses at least the minimal skills necessary to create solutions.
This one-day workshop will equip you with the skills and knowledge to work in a solution focused way, including goal setting, the use of scaling techniques and of course, miracle questions.
Systemic Approaches to Bereavement
Many approaches to bereavement treat it like an illness; with therapeutic models constructed to provide a path to the redirection of ‘emotional energy’ elsewhere. More recently, the idea of ‘continuing bonds’ and social constructionist, narrative approaches offer ways for the bereaved to maintain a relationship with the dead person. This one-day workshop is based on unpublished research Hugh undertook at the University of Hull, and will explore recent ideas of loss and consider how they might impact upon work with individuals, couples or families affected by bereavement. We will also explore the phenomenon of sense of ‘presence’ of the dead person reported by around 40% of bereaved people, yet neglected in much literature on grief.
This workshop is intended for anyone who is interested in working with people who have experienced loss or bereavement, including counsellors, psychotherapists, bereavement visitors and health/social care professionals.
Introduction to working with couples
This workshop is intended as an introduction for counsellors and psychotherapists who wish to develop the skills to work with couples. We will explore some of the principles of working with couples, including ethical working practices, maintaining neutrality, and systemic and psychodynamic approaches to thinking about both party’s family of origin using genograms, thinking about attachment patterns within the relationship and much more.
An Introduction to Systemic Approaches to Psychotherapy
In recent years, the benefits and applications of systemic therapy with individuals, in addition to its more traditional practice with families, has been increasingly recognized. This workshop will provide you with a lively, accessible and thoroughly practical introduction to the key theoretical concepts and techniques. The day will cover:
- An introduction to systemic theory and practice
- Systemic interviewing skills
- Understanding the impact of family dynamics, beliefs and values on relationships
- Using genograms to explore relationships and patterns
- Using a case study to help you use what you have learned so far
Hugh Palmer 