Spring Workshop: Where Do My Feelings End and Theirs Begin? Using All of Our Countertransference to Understand and Guide Our Groups

Where Do My Feelings End and Theirs Begin? Using All of Our Countertransference to Understand and Guide Our Groups

Dave Kaplowitz, LMFT, CGP

Event Description

Countertransference has been named and studied since Freud first identified the phenomenon. Much has been discussed and written about the topic including how group leaders respond to the powerful inductions that can occur. There is a broad range of opinions among group leaders about the importance of the emotions they experience in their work. 

A willingness to feel is the gateway to metabolizing the difficult emotions that leaders encounter and to use those induced feelings constructively. This workshop will address how to identify emotions in ourselves and toward others, and how to use these emotions as leaders. We will examine how our own thoughts and feelings become entwined with those of our group members. There will be a mix of didactic and experiential learning including a demo group and a large group discussion.

Workshop Objectives:

The participant will be able to:

1. Name the four core emotions.

2. Explain the difference between emotions inside and those toward others.

3. Identify common reasons for countertransference resistance.

4. Describe three ways group leaders can use their emotions in the moment to formulate interventions.

3 CEUs available for Social Workers, LPCs, LMFTs, and Psychologists

About the presenter:

Dave Kaplowitz is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Certified Group Psychotherapist. He has a private practice in Austin where he works with individuals, couples, families, and groups helping people have more fulfilling lives. Dave is a Past-President of the Austin Group Psychotherapy Society and is a regular on the faculty of AGPA Connect. He is passionate about his continuing professional development and has completed the Weekend Training Program at the Center for Group Studies in New York City. He enjoys the relaxed pace of Texas Hill Country living as well as expressing his musical creativity through singing and playing guitar.