Harnessing the Power of the Incompetent Therapist Within
3 Hours, 0 Minutes
Thursday, January 16th, 2025 10:00 AM EST -1:00 PM EST Eliot Yisroel Kaplan PhD, LCSW-R / Naftoli Sobel LMSW
Thursday, January 16th, 2025 10:00 AM EST -1:00 PM EST Eliot Yisroel Kaplan PhD, LCSW-R / Naftoli Sobel LMSW
3 CEs
Price
Paid
$59.99
Yahoo!
Webinar Description
Therapists strive for competence and success in their practice, dedicated to facilitating client growth and change. However, paradoxically, the harder therapists work and the more competent they attempt to be, the greater the likelihood that clients may remain entrenched in their issues. This phenomenon often arises due to an automatic client resistance when therapists exert effort to be helpful. Interestingly, relinquishing the personal agenda to move the client forward can create a therapeutic space where clients feel more empowered to explore solutions that work best for them.
This advanced workshop is designed for both seasoned and novice therapists who wish to broaden their clinical repertoire by embracing the concept of the 'incompetent therapist.' In a counter-intuitive yet profound approach, therapists admitting their helplessness in directing the client fosters a deeper authenticity in the therapeutic encounter. By ‘wallowing’ in their perceived incompetence, therapists become more human, facilitating a more genuine connection that enhances treatment outcomes.
About the Presenter:
Eliot (Yisroel) Kaplan, PhD, LCSW-R has been in practice for over 30 years. He specializes in working with the difficult client (individuals, teens,, couples, and families). He is the author of 'Paradox Psychology - It's Not What You Think' which clarifies the mystery behind paradoxical interventions. Naftoli Sobel LMSW, is an outpatient clinician at Bayonne MHC. He attended The Rabbinical College of America, Morristown NJ and received rabbinical ordination (smeicha) in 2018.
Learning Objectives:
- Critically analyze the burden of always having to be competent as a therapist and its impact on the therapeutic process, including potential effects on both the therapist and client dynamics
- Develop and implement three advanced techniques to strengthen a clinicians ability to bond with clients effortlessly, incorporating principles of empathy, authenticity, and therapeutic presence.
- Evaluate and devise strategies to navigate three common traps that clients use to make therapists feel incompetent, employing advanced therapeutic skills and interventions to maintain effective therapeutic alliances.
Agenda:
Agenda - Outline
(10 min)
Introduction
- Discussion on the universal aspiration for competence in therapy
- Defining a successful therapist
- Exploring the concept of the therapist being 'held hostage' by the need to prove competence
- Recognizing the burden and fear associated with perceived incompetence
- Understanding that embracing 'incompetence' is not merely a technique, but a philosophical shift
(20 min)
Therapy Traps and Client Dynamics
- Case examples illustrating common therapy traps: "Yes, but...", "I tried that...", "Your life is perfect...", "Nothing works for me...", "You're the best therapist, right?", "You went to school for this, didn't you?"
- Analyzing how these traps create therapeutic deadlocks
(40 minutes)
Advantages of Embracing Incompetence
- Discussion on protecting therapists from feeling defeated
- How embracing 'incompetence' encourages client responsibility and engagement
- Implementing Carl Rogers' principles of empathy, warmth, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard to avoid power struggles
- Applying Fritz Perls' Here & Now approach
- Utilizing humor and recognizing absurdities in client situations (inspired by Bugs Bunny) to disrupt maladaptive patterns
- The therapeutic value of admitting helplessness, leading to a more truthful and effective therapeutic process
(30 min)
Video Examples and Discussion
- Viewing and discussing video examples:
- Failed Couples Therapy
- Turning the Tables on Borderline Personality Disorder
(40 minutes)
Practical Exercises
- Engaging in exercises to practice therapeutic 'incompetence':
- Telling clients “I don’t know”
- Offering 'bad advice'
- Demonstrating 'poor modeling'
- Removing oneself from the pedestal of expertise
- Modeling imperfection
- Mirroring client behaviors
(30 minutes)
Counter-Intuitive Outcomes of Embracing Incompetence
- Exploring the benefits:
- Reduced pressure and tension
- Lower risk of therapist burn-out
- Enhanced authenticity and honesty within the therapist
- Clients' increased autonomy and problem-solving capabilities
(10 Minutes)
Review and Summary
- Recapitulation of key points
- Final thoughts and takeaways
- Additional resources and references for further study
Disclosure: Eliot Yisroel Kaplan, PhD, LCSW-R, is the author of "Paradox Psychology: It's Not What You Think," which is included as one of the references for this course.
Accreditation - This Webinar Offers 3 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits
- Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0774.
- NEFESH International, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0116.
- CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
CE You! maintains responsibility for this program. - NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0046
- NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Mental Health Counselor #MHC-0082
This presentation is open to:
- Behavior Analysts
- Social Workers
- Professional Counselors
- Therapists
- Psychologists
- Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
- Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
- Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
This online class is offered at an intermediate level, and is beneficial for intermediate level clinician:
- New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
- Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
- Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
- Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives
Additional information
- Refunds: Registrants who are unable to attend a Talli Rosenbaum seminar or live webinars may ask for, and will receive, a credit or refund (your choice). Refund requests will be processed within 3 business days. When an attendee knows in advance that they are unable to attend we ask that they inform Talli Rosenbaum ahead of time by emailing TalliRosenbaum@TherapistExpress.com or by calling or texting 607-249-4585 (Webinar Support) this allows us to free up the spot in the training in the event that a training is at or near capacity.
- Disability Access: If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification.
- Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly.
- The grievance policy for trainings provided by Talli Rosenbaum is available here
- Satisfactory Completion: Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here change to Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion in your account or by clicking here
- Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.
- There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.