Psychodynamics for All: A Three Part Series
Every day, we as therapists experience mysterious and bewildering relational moments. It makes for fascinating work, but it can also leave us unsure of how to help. Psychodynamic thinking offers a language and a lens for these confusing but engaging experiences, and you don't have to be a Freudian to find it useful. Whether you work using CBT, IFS, EMDR, or any other framework, an understanding of unconscious dynamics can add a layer of depth to your clinical work.
This free three-part series is an invitation to look at these patterns together—not just in theory, but in real sessions.
12-1pm EST · Zoom · Free
June 19- Listening for Latent Content
"Wait, are we talking about us right now?"
The people we work with often tell us their feelings and fantasies about the therapy relationship indirectly. They speak to us through stories, metaphors, and offhand remarks that may seem, on the surface, to be about something else entirely. Learning to hear these subtle moments and respond to them with curiosity can let us in on relational currents to which we might otherwise remain oblivious (though the relationship will not remain unaffected).
July 17- Neutralizing Passivity
“I’m not sure, what do you think you should do?”
Client passivity—waiting to be told what to do, deferring, struggling to take ownership of their own will—can create an almost irresistible pull on the therapist to become hyperactive and hyperresponsible. But this runs the risk of colluding with the very pattern at the root of the problems they want your help with! This session explores what it looks like to return responsibility to where it belongs, with compassion and tact.
August 21- Leveraging Devaluation
“Sounds like you’re angry with me, what’s that like?”
When clients respond with anger, criticism, or contempt, it’s stressful! It is easy to become defensive or apologetic, effectively shutting the process down. There are times when repair is the right move, but devaluation can also be a window into critical relational habits. If we can stay curious and open, inviting a deeper look into what's happening emotionally and relationally in the here-and-now, new pathways to change may reveal themselves.
Each session runs 12-1pm EST on Zoom
12:00–12:20- A brief theoretical overview
12:20–12:40- Real session video showing the concept in action
12:40–1:00- Open discussion and Q&A
Join for one or all sessions.
Because we'll be watching real therapy session video, registration is required and limited to licensed therapists and students in the practicum/internship phase of a related graduate program.
Sessions will be live only—no recordings.