Transformation in Psychotherapy Beate Ebert ACBS - World Conference Reno, June 2010

Transformation in Psychotherapy What are the limits to the effects of psychotherapy? As an ACT therapist I assume for my clients that beyond any changes in symptoms a profound shift in the view on life and the self can occur, opening a broader, richer and more meaningful horizon of possibilities for the future. ACT can be seen as a transformational therapy, and I am interested in identifying factors leading to such transformation. Can we operationalize them, investigate them and apply them purposefully? If we focus on such factors in therapy, how would this influence the process and outcome of our work, our clients, ourselves, as well as the reputation of psychotherapy in our society? This workshop will be an investigation about these questions.

Educational Objectives: 1. To exercise defusion with our stories about the possible effects of psychotherapy and to create new possibilities. 2. To get present to our implicit knowledge about variables which may cause a profound shift in psychotherapy. 3. To learn about the power of fun and freedom with not knowing to cause results in therapy.

Transformation– what the hell does that mean? You are sceptical when you hear the word “transformation”? WELCOME! I have done communication seminars called “transformational” for 17 years now, I made all these amazing experiences, I had unexpected changes in my life – and I still am sceptical. I have been at the 10th Conference for Global Transformation in San Francisco last month. There were more than 500 people, from all professions, physicists, scientists, engineers, nurses, priests, Professors of English, Philosophy and Management, bestseller authors, consultants, a NASA-leader, doctors – I realised that I was still surprised after my own years of transformational work that all these people are taking transformation serious. Conclution: OUR BRAINS ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR TRANSFORMATION.

Transformation: Definition Dictionary: shift, transmutation, the act of transforming or the state of being transformed. Not linear, not foreseeable – this is how I distinguish it from change, or in therapy from skill building which is also more linear in this context. Transformation is associated with a new freedom, bigger space, new paradigm, new realm of possibility. Transformation allows acceleration of processes and unexpected results. Transformation is a paradigm you can apply to every area.

A metaphor: the caterpillar transforms into a butterfly

Why bring Transformation to Psychotherapy? After years of studying psychology, training in psychotherapy and parallel training in transformational communication methods, I thought we could bring those two together. Option 1: We find out that Transformation in Psychotherapy is Quatsch – flimflam, jabberwocky, hogwash, balderdash – then we had some brain-training. Option 2: Transformation in psychotherapy is possible – then we have some great new opportunities. We could apply this paradigm to our methods, to our comprehension of ourselves, to our relationship with each other. We could look at transforming our reputation in society and how psychotherapy could contribute in a new way to society.

Intention To start a new conversation in the global therapist network. Therapists of all methods ask the question, how they could cause transformation. This question is an establishing operation. It creates a lack which is eliminated by the answers. The answers are reinforcers.

Clients said things like: “ After our first session I walked in the park and for a quarter of an hour I shivered like I had a fever and then I became so thankful for my life, my wife, my children, I had not seen that before.” Since then I have not done one deal in the internet (his addiction since 4 years). “I don´t do that any more (obsessive compulsive behavior he has done for about 20 years) – I just tell to myself “I don´t have to.” This is what I got in our conversations.” (After the first two sessions) “I don´t know what happened, but in one week all my life changed, the relationship with my mother, my ex-husband, my school leader - and I found a new relationship. This woman is not my type but she is the first adequate partner I ever had. (27th session) A colleagues traumapatient experienced in applying the metaphor, to see her overwhelming emotions as a wave, a surprising and deep connection to her grandma to whom she has had a very good relationship. After this exercise she experienced less physical pain and the trauma was less meaningful in her life.

Exercise to get present to our Knowledge. How can we give up what we know about the possible effects of psychotherapy… - at least in the present moment - and use it?

» Get aware of our Knowledge about ourselves, about our methods, about our clients. What is possible in psychotherapy? What is not possible in psychotherapy?

All the things we are knowing about therapy – are they true? NO! This is just what we are knowing as a community of therapists so far. It says nothing about what is really possible in a certain case in the present moment. We all had experiences with clients that seemed like miracles. And before they happened we did not know that they would happen. So we can assume that we never know what is possible in a therapy.

The result: we are in the area of „Not Knowing“ Not Knowing means being present right here and now. Not Knowing means to be open and curious. On one side not Knowing allows us to relax. On the other side it is adventurous, may be uncomfortable. Not Knowing allows the Unknown to show up.

From the perspective you have now, what factors can you see, that could cause transformation in psychotherapy?

Variables I saw before this workshop, that could cause a profound shift in psychotherapy To take a stance that transformation is possible To be present To be intentional Not wanting Integrity To investigate in a session in every moment Trust Listening Allowing to be touched

More Variables I saw before this workshop To connect to the world of the client, to talk into his listening, without buying into it. Giving space – in every moment. Openness and consciousness about the possibility of transformation. The stance that nothing is wrong, not with me, not with the client, no circumstance (acceptance, freedom from judgements). Having a choice in every moment, as a therapist and as a client. Consciously creating a new future based on values.

Where does this investigation lead us? Exercise: Imagine you experience a transformation. You are the caterpillar that transforms into a butterfly. How would you look like? What kind of butterfly would you be? What would be different in your life? What would you do, what you did not think it was possible until now? What would you realize? What would be unforeseeable and it would happen?

Post-Test Questions: 1. What are some of the crucial variables to cause a profound shift in psychotherapy? 2. What is the difference between change and transformation? 3. Which new possibilities do you see regarding the results in therapy?

Roadmap to Transformation Conditions in our setting We as therapists – being – knowledge Our clients Catalyst variables or triggers