BT16 Workshop 42 – The Discriminating Therapist – Michael Yapko, PhD

Description:

In this workshop, we will explore the patterns of thought involved in how people make important life choices, especially those that carry the potential to really make a critical difference in their emotional wellbeing and quality of life. Instead of asking why and then theorizing why someone makes poor choices, our emphasis will be on how one decides to do this, not that, in especially vulnerable situations, i.e., those that hold great potential for causing psychological distress. Specifically, we will focus on helping our clients develop what are called “discrimination criteria,” the key factors that help one determine whether to take one path or another in some particular situation. The value of asking “how” questions during the client interview as a means for identifying quickly where the client needs discrimination criteria will be emphasized as the precursor to effective use of hypnosis in treatment.

Educational Objectives:

1. Describe and discuss the role of global cognition in peoples’ problems.
2. Model asking the “how” question to identify therapeutic targets.
3. List and describe the mechanisms for teaching discrimination criteria to enhance client decision making.

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*