Post-Graduate Psychotherapy Training Program

The San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group (SFPRG) is sponsoring a one-year post-graduate program on the theory and practice of psychotherapy. The program is designed for practicing mental health professionals at all levels of experience who wish to deepen their understanding of how psychopathology develops and how psychotherapy works.

The conceptual framework for the program is Control-Mastery Theory, a cognitive-psychodynamic-relational theory that has been empirically supported. The theory provides a foundation for the exploration and understanding of a wide range of clinical phenomena, therapeutic techniques, and theoretical issues. Psychotherapists trained in various modalities and theoretical backgrounds are welcome; no previous training in Control-Mastery theory is necessary.

This program is open to all licensed psychotherapists. Meetings will be held weekly and will consist of a one-hour didactic seminar followed by a one-hour case conference. The seminars will focus on core issues and concepts of the theory and practice of psychotherapy and will entail readings, lectures, and discussion. (A calendar of the Program, including the topics of the weekly seminars, may be viewed on the SFPRG website, sfprg.org, click on "Postgraduate Psychotherapy Training Program"). The case conferences will allow participants to present their cases and will be used to illustrate and elaborate upon the clinical issues and principles presented in the seminars.

Organizing faculty for the Program are John T. Curtis, Ph.D., and George Silberschatz, Ph.D. Seminars and case conferences will be taught by the organizing faculty and other members of the SFPRG.

The Program will meet on Wednesday evenings, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., starting October 17, 2007, and continue through June 11, 2008. The cost is $1,500 ($1,200 if enrolled prior to September 15, 2007). Class size is limited to 15. Sixty-two (62) continuing education hours will be offered.

OUTLINE:

Basic tenets of Control-Mastery Theory
Motivation to survive/master
Pathology stems from pathogenic beliefs
Role of trauma
Identifications and compliances
Why pathogenic beliefs are maintained.

How the patient works in psychotherapy
Relationship with the therapist
Testing
Transference
Passive-into-Active
Interpretations
The plan concept
Responses to passed and failed tests
Coaching

Formulating the patient's plan
The clinical interview
What to look for in the clinical presentation
Traumas
Goals
Pathogenic beliefs (Obstructions)
Tests
Insights

Applying the patient's plan
How to work (safety)
What to work on
When and how to interpret tests

Evaluating the plan
Changes in the nature of testing
Patient response(s) to tests
Changes outside of therapy

Special topics:
Addictions
Trauma
Dreams
Sex
Couple Therapy

Research on the process and outcome of psychotherapy

Click here for weekly outline.

Click here for the application form