Workshop with BETH FREIRE:

Trust, Safety and Control in Person-Centred Therapy

Friday 19th April, 2013 10-12

“The constructive forces in the individual can be trusted, and the more deeply they are relied upon, the more deeply they are released.” Carl R. Rogers

In this workshop, participants will be invited to explore the power dynamics in the person-centred therapeutic relationship, and the subtle ways on which power can be taken away from clients. The lack of trust and safety, and the misuse of power and control in the therapeutic relationship are central issues for person-centred therapists.  Some of the questions that will be explored in this workshop are:

-          To what extent do we trust the client’s capacity to direct their therapeutic process?

-          To what extent do we trust our empathy?

-          How can we develop a safe space and a safe relationship for the client to grow and release their actualizing forces?

-          To what extent are we willing to relinquish the locus of control in the therapeutic relationship?

The workshop will involve a brief presentation to trigger the debate followed by a facilitated group discussion.  A therapy session demonstration can also be performed, depending on participants’ interest.