Workshop

Workshop 6 - When Helping Doesn’t Help: Overcoming Therapeutic Resistance With TEAM-CBT

Keywords: Treatment-CBT | Motivation | Psychotherapy Process
Presentation Type: Workshop
Level of Familiarity: Basic

Presenter(s)

• 

  David Burns, M.D.

  Stanford University School of Medicine
• 

  Jill Levitt, Ph.D.

  Feeling Good Institute

Although there has been an overwhelming proliferation of new therapies for depression and anxiety, the controlled outcome studies have yielded only modest results. Dr. Burns suggests that this is because resistance has not been adequately addressed, and describes a new framework for conducting psychotherapy that strongly emphasizes reducing resistance before trying any techniques designed to improve symptoms. The new approach is called TEAM-CBT. The components of TEAM-CBT include:
• T = Testing: measurement of symptoms as well as the quality of the therapeutic alliance at the start and end of every session;
• E = Empathy: a set of skills to help therapists connect with challenging patients and repair alliance ruptures;
• A = (Paradoxical) Agenda Setting: 15+ innovative techniques to identify and reduce Outcome and Process resistance and boost motivation;
• M = Methods: 50+ cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal techniques.
During this workshop, particular attention will be given to Paradoxical Agenda Setting (PAS), including videos illustrating PAS techniques with a woman struggling with severe depression and anxiety for 10 years following a traumatic event involving her daughter. Therapist behaviors that promote resistance will be discussed, with pointers for how to avoid “traps” in therapy. Workshop participants will have an opportunity to practice several PAS techniques.



Earn 3 continuing education credits

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the four components of the TEAM-CBT model.
• Define Outcome Resistance.
• Define Process Resistance.
• Identify one error therapists often make that leads to increased resistance.
• Use the “Magic Button” and “Magic Dial” techniques.
• Use the “Positive Reframing” technique.

Recommended Reading: Burns, D. D., & Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (1991). Coping styles, homework compliance and the effectiveness of cognitive - behavioral therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59(2), 305 - 311.
Burns, D. D., & Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (1992). Therapeutic empathy and recovery from depression in cognitive-behavioral therapy: A structural equation model. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 60(3), 441 - 449.
Burns, D., Westra, H., Trockel, M., & Fisher, A. (2013). Motivation and changes in depression. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 37, 368-379.