Robert T. Muller, Ph.D.
presented by
Hincks-Dellcrest Centre: Gail Appel Institute, Trauma & Resiliency Training
http://www.hincksdellcrest.org/hincks/media/Institute/AvoidantRobertMuller2012B.pdf Location: Hincks-Dellcrest Centre - Gail Appel Institute, 114 Maitland St, Toronto Recent years have seen advances in the treatment of intra-familial trauma. Yet, surprisingly little has focused on specific intervention strategies to help the traumatized individual who is avoidant of attachment. Many of our clients cope with traumatic attachment experiences by minimizing painful feelings, by becoming emotionally distant, and by devaluing interpersonal closeness, intimacy, and feelings of vulnerability. With individuals who adopt a self-protective help-rejecting stance, psychotherapy can prove very challenging for client and therapist alike. Dr. Muller will focus on therapeutic techniques he has developed specifically for this population, many of which he has included in his new book, Trauma and the Avoidant Client: Attachment-Based Strategies for Healing. Drawing on attachment theory and research, and upon a wealth of clinical experienc, Dr. Muller will show how to work withsuch hard-to treat clients, how to find points of entry and ways to make contact. Using a relational, psychodynamic approach, he will consider strategies to develop the therapeutic relationship in order to help the client regain a sense of trust in others. The individual is encouraged to take interpersonal risks, to mourn losses, and to face vulnerabilities. The challenges that arise to the therapeutic relationship are used as a productive force in the treatment. This workshop will focus on practical clinical technique. Theory is complemented by case examples and segments from treatment sessions. Role playing exercises will be used for skill building purposes. You will learn:
* How to recognize characteristics of avoidant attachment
* How to productively use trauma-related symptoms
* How to maximize client engagement throughout the process
* How to work with affect
* How to recognize and use client transference
* How to effectively manage and use therapist counter-transference
* How to plan for the termination phase
website: http://www.hincksdellcrest.org/gai-trauma | 
