From Boring Theory to Exciting Practice John SommersFlanagan

From Boring Theory to Exciting Practice John Sommers-Flanagan Rita Sommers-Flanagan Department of Counselor Education University of Montana Johnsommersflanagan. com

Today’s Plan o Theories should be practical, relevant, exciting – and funny! o Look at Psychoanalytic, Existential, and Feminist theory and. . . n Identify listening focus linked to each theory n Watch video clip demo of specific skills n Offer in-vivo classroom demonstration

The Psychoanalytic Listening Focus o The counselor listens for repeating themes n Sexual/aggressive impulses/conflicts n Repeating unsatisfactory relationship patterns n Repeating defensive patterns

Psychoanalytic Demonstrations o You have 1 minute to prepare a 1 minute presentation

Psychoanalytic Video Clip o Sara and John n Free association n Interpretation n Collaborative exploration of the past*

Existential Demonstrations o Partner up: “What do you. . . Want? ” o And repeat

Existential Video Clip o Peggy and Nilda n Nilda is using topical focusing on something meaningful and joyful for Peggy

The Existential Listening Focus o We listen for awareness o We listen for meaning o We listen for the existential psychodynamics (meaning, isolation, death, freedom) and how people handle them o We listen for joy and awe and signs of being engaged with life

The Feminist Listening Focus o We listen for oppression o We listen for the gaining and losing of the self o We listen for self-esteem o We listen for and work with anger, sadness, and other emotions that should be honored

Feminist Demonstrations o You wake up in the morning and. . .

Feminist Video Clip o Amanda and Rita o Listen for Rita pushing-guiding Amanda to focus on what she wants

Concluding Comments o Theories classes should always have practice components o You can access free materials at johnsommersflanagan. com o The DVD is now available through Wiley