Improv Training for Psychotherapists
In the world of evidence-based psychotherapies, we are often trained on manuals, algorithms, documentation, and precise instruction for intake, assessment, and discharge.
While these elements support the delivery of outstanding mental health care, they are only part of the story. At the center of all care is the therapist themself — bringing their own unique personality and self, and the critical experiences of presence, spontaneity, and authenticity. This workshop will focus on reclaiming our own sense of being human and present with our patients through an application of exercises from the world of improvisational theater.
5 CME/CE Credits
Breakfast and Lunch Included
Presenters
Jeff Katzman, MD, Director, Silver Hill Academy for Research and Education and author of Life Unscripted
(view bio here)
Ben Bernstein, PhD, Silver Hill Psychologist, Adolescent Program
(view bio here)
Fee:
$400
Seats are limited.
Students:
Please contact SHARE@silverhillhospital.org for student rates.
Questions?
Please contact SHARE@silverhillhospital.org
Program:
9:00am: Check-in and light breakfast
9:30am – 12:30pm: Morning Session (3 Credit Hours)
Group activities to facilitate a sense of trust and play, based on improvisational warm-up games. This will evolve into experiences of storytelling, exploring the concepts of collaboration, trust, spontaneity, and additive communication.
12:30pm – 1:00pm: Lunch
1:00pm – 3:00pm: Afternoon Session (2 Credit Hours)
We’ll have the opportunity to use improvisational moments to share with partners and small groups spontaneously, with a wrap-up of how experiences of improvisational theater facilitate a sense of presence and curiosity for therapists.
Who Should Attend
This training is ideal for all mental health professionals — psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and counselors — as well as all physicians and clinicians dedicated to meaningful dialogue with their patients. No prior Improv experience is needed. Discomfort with the mere word “Improv” is perfectly acceptable.
Continuing Education Information
This training course is good for 5 CME/CE Credits. See Full Accreditation Information at bottom.
Educational Objectives
- Identify the concepts of play and collaboration as critical to the therapeutic alliance through a brief didactic presentation.
- Apply exercises from improvisational theater to experientially explore areas including empathy building, spontaneity, collaboration, status, and our personal narratives.
- Consolidate experiential exercises into potential next steps in life, both as professionals and in our own personal life.
Improv for Psychotherapists Registration
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 5.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
NASW/Connecticut Statement: NASW/Connecticut Statement: This program has been approved for 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 5.0 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 5.0 contact hours.
Speaker Disclosure: No one in control of content has indicated a relevant financial relationship with an ACCME defined commercial interest.
None of the planners for this educational activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.