One of the most challenging aspects of doing psychotherapy is working with the intensely negative experiences that dominate clients experiences-traumas, anxieties, depressions, addictions, etc. This special 2-day workshop focuses on specific principles and practices of for transforming these core experiences from problems into solutions. The work is based on Self-relations therapy, a ground-breaking approach developed by Dr. Gilligan that integrates aspects of Ericksonian therapy, Buddhism, and aikido. Self-relations views a symptom as a "terrible gift"-something that under "proper conditions" can be realized as a positive contribution to one's life-and describes in practical terms how the therapist can create and implement these favorable conditions.

The workshop details a general framework and specific techniques you can use when presented with a negative experience. Three general principles will be described, demonstrated, and practiced.

The first is mindbody centering, which includes techniques for integrating your thinking with your feeling; connecting to the calm place underneath a disturbing experience; creating a "sanctuary" to safely hold a difficult experience; and being guided and anchored by a "felt sense" of somatic intelligence.

The second is activating the therapeutic self (in both therapist and client), which has to do with how to differentiate the cognitive self from the negative feelings; how to touch, speak with, and listen to negative core experiences with a healing presence; how to identify and externalize negative "curses" and other alienating influences; and how to think and act positively even when negative experiences are activated.

The third practice has to do with activating the creative field, which includes opening to the creative unconscious; staying connected to the present moment and to resources; activating and extending a "spiritual immune system" (a la political prisoners), and extending one's presence beyond the problem field.

This workshop promises to be both practical and inspirational, with demonstrations, practice exercises, detailed handouts, and experiential processes. It is based on non-ideological premises and effective practices that promote connection and openness to all forms of the "negative other". You will come away better able to receive and positive work with whatever your clients are presenting in therapy. We hope to see you!

About the workshop presenter.

Stephen Gilligan, Ph.D., is a licensed Psychologist practicing in Encinitas, CA. Originally a student of Milton Erickson and Gregory Bateson, Stephen has developed his own work of radical awakening in self-relations psychotherapy. He is the author of numerous books, including The courage to love: Principles and practices of self-relations psychotherapy, The legacy of Erickson, Therapeutic trances: The cooperation principle in Ericksonian psychotherapy, Brief therapy (Ed. with J. Zeig), and Therapeutic conversations (Ed. with R Price. He is currently editing a book on self-relations approaches entitled When Spirit touches Soul: Explorations in self-relations psychotherapy. His workshops promote both the professional and personal development of therapists.