Virtual Grand Rounds: Bringing Psychotherapy Back to Life
Presented by:
Jon G. Allen, Ph.D.
Clinical Professor, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Baylor College of Medicine, Voluntary Faculty
Our healthcare system prioritizes manualized therapies directed toward alleviation of psychiatric symptoms and disorders. No doubt, the development and employment of such demonstrably effective therapies is reasonable and justifiable. Yet do we need hundreds of therapies embedded in a slew of theories with a spate of technical terms? The presenter contends that many therapists spend much time talking with patients about everyday problems — primarily problems in relationships —in plain language. Decades of research shows that variations in the quality of the patient-therapist relationships and individual differences among therapists in therapeutic skills contribute as much or more to the effectiveness of the treatment as do differences in theories and methods, which tend to be relatively minimal. The field is out of balance: We should devote more effort to the development of therapists’ relational awareness and skills and less to the proliferation of therapies that are roughly equivalent. This shift requires that we do not cede all authority to science but aspire to integrate our professional development with personal development.
Educational Objectives
As a result of participating in this activity, learners should be able to:
- Discuss the evidence base for common relational factors as primary contributors to the effectiveness of psychotherapy.
- Describe the value of devoting more effort to the personal and professional development of therapists as contrasted with the unfettered development of therapies that are roughly equivalent in effectiveness.
- Integrate trust and care into the understanding of common relational factors in psychotherapy.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Zoom webinar.
Accreditation Statement: Silver Hill Hospital is accredited by the Massachusetts Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Designation Statement: Silver Hill Hospital designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
NASW/Connecticut Statement:
This program has been approved for 1.5 Continuing Education Credit Hours by the National Association of Social Workers, CT and meets the continuing education criteria for CT Social Work Licensure renewal. Approval also meets the continuing education criteria for CT LMFTs, LPCs, and licensed psychologists. NASW/CT approvals are valid in MA, RI, and VT.
New York Social Worker Statement:
Silver Hill Hospital 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-0728. This program is approved for 1.5 contact hours.
New York Psychologist Statement:
Silver Hill Hospital 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-0227. This program is approved for 1.5 contact hours.
Speaker Disclosure: Dr. Allen is the author of several books and receives royalties from American Psychiatric Publishing. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.