Block 1 The Essence of Modern Group
Workshop Description:
The essence of the modern group process can be attributed to a systematic method of enhancing identifications between and among the group members. In addition to being alert to the multiple transferences and resistances being played out in the group setting, we utilize the theoretical construct of bridging to bring the members together for therapeutic advantage. This workshop will address the basic concepts differentiating modern group process from traditional group process and explore the techniques and interventions that are unique to the application of modern group process.
Learning Objectives:
This workshop is designed to help you:
1. List and describe at least three uses of bridging to empower the group process;
2. Utilize different types of bridging in the group setting;
3. List the protective and maturational functions of contact function when working with
pre-oedipal patients in group;
4. Explain how group process facilitates the projection of internal conflicts onto group member;
5. Utilize countertransference feelings as a tool for resolving resistances;
6. Apply techniques to work with the under- and over-insulated group member;
7. Describe the purpose of “joining” a group member’s defenses;
8. Describe how joining, mirroring, and reflecting are used in a dyad to further
maturation/progressive communication.
Block 2 Forming a Group
Workshop Description:
The foundation of a successful group depends not only on the diagnostic and interpersonal acumen of the group leader, but also the ability of the group therapist to build therapeutic connections between members. This workshop will utilize a didactic and experiential format to discuss and demonstrate Modern Analytic Group techniques that assist group therapists in establishing, and then creating a dynamic group that is an agent for therapeutic change. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to explore and discuss key topics such as the use of the treatment contract for structuring a boundaried, safe, group; recognizing and addressing group resistances that can threaten the group process; tools for creating connection between members; and methods for fostering immediacy in the here and now. Case examples and group supervision will be provided to augment the didactic and process experiences provided.
Learning Objectives:
This workshop is designed to help you:
1. Explain the modern analytic approach to preparing patients to enter group therapy;
2. Describe how bridging with a new group creates group cohesion;
3. Observe and utilize different types of bridging;
4. Summarize the role of identification in the process of group change;
5. Describe common resistances to immediacy and how they manifest in group process;
6. Observe how working with immediacy in group is a powerful therapeutic tool;
7. Demonstrate techniques to promote immediacy in modern group;
8. Explain how stable and changing seating arrangements in group can express group relationships.
Block 3 Introduction to Group Resistances
Workshop Description:
Utilizing didactic and experiential formats this weekend training program will address and explore the subject of resistances in group. Workshop participants will learn how to identify, manage, and resolve different types of resistances and countertransference resistances as they are demonstrated in the process group interaction and case presentation. Workshop topics will include the following: how resistances manifest from pre-group through the various stages of the group process, the purpose and communication function of resistances, and the recognition and use of the therapist’s countertransference feelings to resolve resistances in group. Case examples and group supervision will be provided to augment the didactic and process experiences provided.
Learning Objectives:
This workshop is designed to help you:
1. Apply the group contract as a tool for understanding and resolving resistances;
2. Observe demonstrations of techniques that help surface resistances in the individual member and in the group;
3. Utilize the group process to resolve resistant patterns in individuals and in the group;
4. Explain the concept of a "group resistance" and how it is manifested in group process;
5. List practical issues involved selecting members for group;
6. List countertransferential issues involved in selecting members for group;
7. Apply techniques for resolving resistances to aggression in group therapy;
8. Describe the challenges of working with negative countertransference in working with borderline patients in group therapy.
Block 4 Transference/Countertransference Issues in Group
Workshop Description:
Transference and countertransference are key concepts in analytic group treatment. Utilizing didactic and experiential formats, this weekend training will discuss and demonstrate the unique ways in which transference and countertransference manifest and are used therapeutically in the group setting. Topics will include: recognizing induced feelings, defining and working with subjective and objective countertransference, and techniques for formulating maturational interventions. Case examples and clinical supervision will be provided to augment the didactic and process experiences provided.
Learning Objectives:
This workshop is designed to help you:
1. Explain how the group setting and group contract elicits transference reactions;
2. Explain the differences between transference and countertransference;
3. List the characteristics of transference reactions;
4. Summarize and compare subjective and objective countertransference;
5. Apply when to use concordant, complimentary, repetitive and reparative countertransferences reactions;
6. Discuss common transference resistances encountered by the group analyst;
7. List three ways in which destructive aggression manifests in group process;
8. Explain how Modern Analytic training in transference and resistance enhances student resilience, tact, courage and spontaneity in clinical work.
Block 5 Technical and Special Issues in Group Psychotherapy
Workshop Description:
Harnessing the therapeutic power of group therapy is a complex and multi-faceted process. This workshop utilizes didactic and experiential approaches to examine and discuss specific factors that if not addressed can prevent a group leader from establishing and sustaining an effective group. Topics to be examined include: 1) Modern Analytic innovations in the treatment of pre-oedipal disorders; 2) methods to facilitate integration of new members and the prevention of premature termination; 3) the application of Modern Analytic theory and technique to short-term treatment; 4) the impact of gender on resistances and group process. Recent research on neuroscience and the impact of the interpersonal matrix of the group on neuroplasticity will be examined.
Learning Objectives:
This workshop is designed to help you:
1. Summarize the use of maturational interventions in short-term group;
2. Discuss what resistances the leader’s gender can stimulate in group members;
3. Describe how the gender of the group member can promote progressive communication;
4. Analyze how gender specific resistances can manifest in group;
5. Identify the treatment destructive resistances elicited by the addition of new members to a group;
6. List two interventions used to prevent current group members from inducing new members to terminate prematurely;
7. Describe how Modern Analytic techniques of creating the narcissistic transference and joining are effective with preoedipal disturbances;
8. Explain how the emotion-laden group environment can impact the brain’s ability to change (neuroplasticity);
9. Identify and describe four pathways of neural integration through group process.
10. Utilize parallel process effectively in supervision of group treatment.
Block 6 Working with Pre-oedipal Patients in Group
Workshop Description:
Pre-oedipal patients in group therapy challenge the skill, discipline and self-awareness
of the group leader. Using a didactic and experiential format, this workshop will address
how the pre-oedipal patient affects the group structure and content. We will focus on
resistances to progressive emotional communication presented by the pre-oedipal patient.
Participants will be offered a theoretical and technical structure from which to understand the concept of induced feelings—a specific type of countertransference feelings which can be clinically useful when conceptualizing and formulating therapeutic interventions. Workshop material will be presented through participant discussion, experiential demonstration, case material and clinical examples.
Learning Objectives:
This workshop is designed to help you:
1. Compare and contrast Modern and Traditional approaches to working with pre-oedipal patients.
2. List the unique resistances used by pre-oedipal patients in group.
3. Utilize techniques that respect and support defenses in the early stages of group.
4. Observe techniques for working with the narcissistic defense.
5. Explain the concept of induced feelings and its use when working with pre-oedipal patients in group.
6. Describe specific forms of aggression utilized by pre-oedipal group members.
7. Apply modern group techniques to resolve resistances to progressive communication.
8. Analyze common countertransference reactions experienced with pre-oedipal patients in group.
Block 7 Specialized Topics in Countertransference
Workshop Description:
Countertransference is an essential source of information which enables therapists to understand their clients and formulate curative interventions. Utilizing didactic and experiential formats, this weekend training will discuss and demonstrate the unique ways in which countertransference feelings manifest and are used therapeutically in the group setting. Topics will include: recognizing induced feelings, defining and working with subjective and objective countertransference, tolerating and working with negative countertransference, and techniques for formulating maturational interventions. Case examples and clinical supervision will be used to demonstrate key technical and theoretical themes.
Learning Objectives:
This workshop is designed to help you:
1. Summarize different types of countertransference;
2. Explain the concept and experience of induced feelings;
3. Apply Modern Analytic theory to formulate and time interventions using induced feelings;
4. Demonstrate how countertransference feelings can be used to reconstruct group members’ early experiences;
5. List the reasons why it is critically important for group therapists to be comfortable with negative countertransference;
6. Utilize aggressive countertransference to further group progress.
7. Observe how regression in the group therapy setting offers opportunity for growth.
8. Explain how induced feelings are used to identify an anaclitic countertransference.
Block 8 Working with Unconscious Material: Dreams, Symbolic & Non-verbal Communications
Workshop Description:
Unconscious material prevents group members from functioning with one another in a mature way. It can be both a resistance and a rich source of information. This workshop will address how the group leader helps the group members reveal the significant information hidden behind a dream or other form of non-verbal communication. This workshop will review analytic theory of dream interpretation and its application to group: symbolic and non-verbal communication and will demonstrate interventions that are unique to modern group that bring these processes into the here and now in the group interactions.
Learning Objectives:
This workshop is designed to help you:
1. List three of Freud’s contributions to the analysis of dreams;
2. Analyze the differences between classical and modern use of dream material in treatment;
3. Apply Modern Group theory to decipher the emotional meaning of symbolic communications in group;
4. Utilize dream material to further the group process;
5. Demonstrate how immediacy leads to progressive emotional communication;
6. Apply modern group techniques to bring non-verbal communications into the group process
7. Describe the developmental function of eye contact in the group setting;
8. List the ways in which the leader can invite and utilize symbolic communication to further treatment goals;
9. Explain how silence in a group member can be maturational and constructive, as well as an expression of resistance.
Block 9 Resolving Transference Resistances and Termination Issues
Workshop Description:
The process of termination in group psychotherapy is a complex and multi-faceted process and frequently complicated by resistances in patient and therapist. Utilizing both didactic and experiential formats, this weekend workshop will address and explore key aspects of the process of termination, and how transference resistance in the therapist interferes with, blocks, and /or facilitates effective termination of treatment.
Learning Objectives:
This workshop is designed to help you:
1. Discuss the early family issues that get reenacted through precipitous and premature
terminations by group members;
2. Analyze how subjective countertransference reactions can impede the therapist’s ability to work successfully with treatment destructive resistances and termination issues;
3. Explain the roles played by both the group therapist and the group during the treatment termination process;
4. Summarize how group techniques can be used to build observing ego;
5. Articulate how a training group can be used as a tool to resolve treatment impasses;
6. Describe how resistances to developing an observing ego is manifested in group process;
7. Discuss how training group members can operate as maturational agents for fellow group members in their efforts to resolve transference-countertransference feelings.
8. Describe the therapeutic benefits of having a termination phase in treatment.