Narrative Therapy Course Spring 2018

This monthly class takes place on four Friday afternoons from 1-4:15 pm.
Dates: Fridays March 16, April 13, May 18, June 15, 2018
Location: Watertown MA
12 CEs

Course Description

The meaning we make of our experience affects how we feel, what we think, what we believe, how we get along with others, and the choices we make. It affects our relationships and our feelings. Narrative Therapy developed in Australia and New Zealand in the political and social context of the sixties, as a response to the social conditions of indigenous people and people who were suffering from mental illness and other forms of marginalization. It was a practical approach to working with problems, which focuses on thinking about what makes situations better or worse, and what people aspire toward, their goals and values.

The guiding assumptions are that people have their own ideas about what is best for their lives and that there is more to their lives than their problems. The narrative therapist’s role is to invite people into conversation to look at what they have experienced, what has gone well and what has gone poorly, what they would like their lives to have more of and less of and what they can do about that. The therapist’s map of interviewing emphasizes the relationship between lived experiences, the meanings they are given, and how people might feel more engaged and empowered to act on behalf of their own hopes and goals.

You are welcome to attend this course is you are familiar with narrative practices and interested in honing your skills or are looking to begin your learning about this school of systemic thought.
Course is limited to twelve participants.

This Course is limited to twelve participants.

Each class will include an introduction to critical ideas and skills of narrative therapy, experiential exercises and an opportunity to practice applying concepts to case material as follows:
Class one:

the collaborative helping map,
separating the person from the problem
naming and externalizing the problem story

Class two:

recognizing unique outcomes and sparkling moments
co-authoring a rich preferred story
remembering practices

Class three:

outsider witness practices
the absent but implicit

Class four:

integrating the ideas from the course
interviewing using the ideas and skills
applying the ideas and skills to consultations about cases

Outline of each class meeting:

Sharing and discussion of key concepts from narrative therapy 1 to 2 pm
Demonstration of the use of key concepts from narrative therapy 2 to 3 pm
Break 3 to 3:15 pm
Practice of new concepts 3:15 to 4:15 pm

Learning Objectives:
Participants will discuss ideas that contribute to making narrative therapy a strength based approach to working with people.
Participants will utilize those ideas in practice.
Participants will discuss how narrative ideas may contribute to the way they work in their own practice settings.

Faculty

Corky Becker, PhD. is a clinical psychologist, family and couple therapist, family therapy supervisor, teacher/trainer and consultant. She is a Teaching Assistant in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical, at Cambridge Health Alliance. She consults to the Project on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. She was on the faculty of the Family Institute of Cambridge for 25 years. She is a senior associate at Essential Partners formerly the Public Conversations Project. Corky was on the faculty of the Family Institute of Cambridge for 25 years, where she co-directed the Intensive Program in Family Systems Therapy, and taught courses in Narrative and Couple Therapy. She has also taught at the Narrative Conferences in Australia, Chicago and Atlanta. Her private practice focus is couple and family therapy. Corky is a respected teacher whose style is to be warm and engaging, while demonstrating high quality clinical work.

Target Audience

This course is designed for helping professionals interested in the principles and practices of narrative therapy, including, but not limited to, social workers, psychologists, mental health counselors, marriage & family therapists, and nurses. We design the learning methodology to further develop beginning, intermediate, and advanced helping professionals by supporting improvement of skills for direct practice, supervision, and management positions.

Cost

Individual Registration Fee
$490.00
Early registration: $475.00

Group Registration Fee, per person
$475.00
Early registration: $455.00

National Association of Black Counselors, NEAFAST, Black Therapists Rock and BIPOC
$450.00
Early registration: $450.00

Registration Instructions

You may register and pay online using a credit card, your PayPal account, or a check.
You may register by snail mail by downloading the registration form and sending it with your check. Group registrants must register together online or mail multiple checks in the same envelope to get the discount. Your space is not secured for an event until we receive payment.

Course CEs

Participants MUST attend 100% of the program to earn the 12 CEs approved. CE certificates will be given at the end of the event after you are fully paid and have completed the evaluation form. Details for approved professions: 12 CEs have been approved for licensed Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology and Nursing professionals by Commonwealth Educational Seminars. Licensed Mental Health Counselors can earn 12 CEs as Therapy Training Boston has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6707. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Therapy Training Boston is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. For more detailed information about CEs, read this.

Cancellations and Refunds

Workshops and courses may be cancelled by Therapy Training Boston if minimum enrollment requirements are not met. In this case, full fees will be refunded or applied to future programs. Otherwise, no refunds are provided for registrants.

Policies

For all event policies, including detailed CE information and special accommodations, read this.