WEDNESDAY, JULY 19 PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Wednesday, 9:15—10:45

Michael F. Hoyt

University of California School of Medicine in San Francisco

EVERYDAY CONSTRUCTIVISM

The doors of therapeutic perception and possibility have been opened wide by the recognition that we are actively constructing our mental realities rather than simply uncovering or coping with an objective “truth.” How we look influences what we see, and what we see influences what we do, ’round and around. Some stories are better than others, some ways of looking and thinking and acting are more invigorating and rewarding than others. People often come to therapy when their ways of looking aren’t getting them what they want. They come, in essence, looking for a new story, a new perception, a new way of understanding—which can lead to new behaviors and new outcomes. My approach to psychological intervention can be subsumed under the general rubric of constructive therapies, which incorporates ideas from both brief therapy and narrative constructivism. With special nods toward Milton Erickson, Steve de Shazer, Michael White, and others, the hallmarks of brief therapy are the development of a collaborative alliance and the emphasis on clients’ strengths and competencies in the service of the efficient attainment of co-created goals. The term narrative constructivism, as I use it, refers to the idea that we are actively building our worldview, using questions, directives, and imagination to make meaning and construct our psychological realities. Brief therapy and narrative constructivism and a competency focus are not merely a set of techniques. They are an overarching worldview, an orientation toward thinking and being, an everyday way of experiencing the world. While constructivist approaches strongly emphasize the role of language and the idea that ‘reality’ is mediated through awareness, there is also an external world to be reckoned with. There is a there there, and it is important not to confuse one’s perceptions and beliefs with hard realities. By discussing some personal and professional experiences and some of the issues and dilemmas I struggle with, my hope is that other people may get some ideas to help them expand their awareness of the possibilities and challenges when using a constructivist therapeutic approach with clients.

CLINICAL CASE

Wednesday, 11:00—12:45

The University of Southern Mississippi

SANDTRAY THERAPY FOR INPATIENT SEXUAL ADDICTION: AN ILLUSTRATION OF CONSTRUCTIVE PROCESS WORK

A model of sandtray therapy, specifically designed as an adjunct intervention for a trauma-based inpatient treatment program for adult sexual addiction, will be described using clinical illustrations. Constructivist theoretical assumptions provide the rationale for both the model and the principles of change.

PAPER

Wednesday, 12:05—12:45

Flagstone Psychology

ON THE EXISTENTIAL USE OF THE SELF IN EXPERIENTIAL PERSONAL CONSTRUCT PSYCHOTHERAPY: I: INTUITION

We will discuss theoretically and clinically the use of the self in experiential personal construct psychotherapy. We will focus on the use of therapist intuition to deepen the relational connection to the client.

WORKSHOP

Wednesday, 2:15—4:15

University of Minnesota, Duluth

FROM CONSTRUCTS TO METAPHORS: EXPLORING THE LIMITS OF LANGUAGE

This workshop will explore the boundary between shared language and metaphors. After a fish bowl demonstration, participants will work in small groups to conduct interviews about images underlying personal constructs. The creation of an emerging language will be related to the theme model, a constructivist model of counseling as communication.

CLINICAL CASE

Wednesday, 2:15—3:15

Private Practice, New Jersey

THE USE OF PERSONAL CONSTRUCT PSYCHOLOGY IN THE SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF A WOMAN EXHIBITING IDENTITY DIFFUSION, SECONDARY TO A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

This case presentation will illustrate how Personal Construct Psychology, because of its respect for and focus on the individual and the individual’s way of making meaning, is a crucial element in the reconstruction of the self-system shattered by Traumatic Brain Injury.

PAPER

Wednesday, 2:15—2:45

University of the Arts London

BEYOND BALLET TECHNIQUE: THE EMOTIONAL VOICE, PERSONALITY TYPOGRAPHIES OF STUDENT BALLET DANCERS AT ELITE DANCE CONSERVATOIRES

This paper traces the emotional experience of six student ballet dancers over one academic term (twelve weeks) at an elite dance conservatoires in the UK. The primary aim is to establish personality and character typographies of student dancers and the study highlights the importance of giving consideration to personality traits as a tool to improve ballet training at elite dance conservatoires. This paper is a work-in-progress of my doctoral research in dance education at London Contemporary Dance School at The Place.

PAPER

Wednesday, 2:45—3:15

The University of Texas at Austin

CONSTRUCTING IDENTITY IN THE VIRTUAL SPACE

With the advent of today’s technology, human beings are expressing themselves in ways previously left to the domain of the imagination. This paper explores why people are increasingly populating computer-generated worlds and how the virtual characters they create are projections of the Self.

CLINICAL CASE

Wednesday, 3:15—4:15

Institute of Transpersonal Psychology

CO-CONSTRUCTING NON-VERBAL NARRATIVES: NARRATIVE SCRAPBOOKING AS A MEANING-MAKING TOOL IN BEREAVEMENT

This presentation overviews the technique of Narrative Scrapbooking, a clinical approach developed to access and convey non-verbal processes in grief. Using contemporary constructivist, narrative, and existential-humanistic theories, this presentation delineates case examples of narrative scrapbooking from the student’s clinical experience working with bereaved family members.

PAPER

Wednesday, 3:15—3:45

University of North Florida

EXPLORING THE SUBJECTIVIST MEANINGS AND EXPERIENCES OF DEPRESSION

This poster presents stories of depression that highlight how people understand and interpret their experiences of depression. Depression is presented as a dynamic, constantly evolving, multidimensional and holistic illness experience. An attempt is made to challenge the belief that depression is best understood only by the ‘professionals in the field’.

PAPER

Wednesday, 3:45—4:15

Meharry Medical College

MORALS, MIND, AND PERSONAL CONSTRUCTS

Recent research has indicated that “morals” and “ought” are informed by biological factors affected by cultural differences. It follows that beliefs are derived from innate, basic concepts “constructed” within the unconscious system from “constructs” of individual and social development. The research data and implications will be discussed in this paper.

SYMPOSIUM

Wednesday, 4:30—6:00

Jocelyn L. Lee

University of Florida

EPISTEMOLOGY AND PRACTICE AMONG SEASONED PSYCHOTHERAPISTS

Presentations on the following topics: From Epistemology to Practice—Does Constructivism Make a Difference; Personal Qualities and Characteristics of Constructivist Practioners; Personal Epistemology and Self-Care Among Seasoned Psychotherapists: Do Constructivists Differ?

WORKSHOP

Wednesday, 4:30—6:00

University of Washington

CONSTRUCTING A MORE POSITIVE SELF-IDENTITY

An oral rationale, backed up by a written summary of supporting literature, will be presented.