Friday Lunchtime Program: How Does Psychotherapy Heal the Client? Beliefs, Rituals and Expectations, Presented by George Taylor, LMFT

How Does Psychotherapy Heal the Client? 

Beliefs, Rituals and Expectations

As psychotherapy practitioners, we are often so busy with our clients that we rarely go back to the deep roots of our vocation as healers and ask, “How does it work?” During this Marin CAMFT presentation, George Taylor will increase your knowledge and understanding of how psychotherapy works, how it can be more effective, and how language and presence can transform our clients in the context of the therapy session. This learning experience aims to help us become better healers, as we review key components of our profession. One key component we will focus on is the power of therapeutic presence, and in particular we will look at “Why it works and how” We will also focus on our beliefs, both as individuals and as professionals; about the way we work as therapists and how these beliefs influence the treatment outcome of clients. Finally, we will focus on how we can work with our own and our clients' expectations to be more effective healers. Several authors call psychotherapy a “non-medical” healing. While it may be true that we provide no medicine and perform no surgery, we act as healers using the tools of our profession - psychotherapy. We must remember that our work is part of a tradition that humans have been using for millennia. During this presentation, it is George Taylor's hope that you will be inspired by your work, as well as by the history and power inherent in these ancient traditions, which are the forerunners of modern psychotherapy. Much of the presentation will consist of experiential/interactive exercises, so we can share among colleagues our wisdom and experience about how we work with our clients in the art of psychotherapy

Since 1992, George Taylor, LMFT, has maintained private practices in Marin County and San Francisco. In his practice, he uses the workbook he authored, Couples on the Path: Ten Practices to Transform Your Relationship, in couples counseling and in small classes for couples. He also offers men's groups, specializes in working with men, as well as with individuals and couples recovering from addiction.

George Taylor has taught at Dominican University and the California Institute of Integral Studies, where he earned his Masters in Counseling Psychology. He has done many presentations at various CAMFT chapters, professional organizations and schools. His lifelong interest in Western and Eastern healing traditions and practices has compelled him to involve himself in his own personal psychotherapy, in art therapy workshops, men’s retreats and meditation retreats in Kathmandu and southern Thailand. He is an experienced practitioner and certified group leader of chi gong. His main area of focus and clinical expertise is body-oriented couples work, communication skills and conflict resolution. He co-teaches The Courage to Love workshops for couples throughout the Western States and in Hawaii, focusing on authentic communication and body-oriented awareness.