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The Evolution of Psychotherapy: Twenty-Five Years On

September 1, 2009 By scottdm Leave a Comment

In 1985, I was starting my second year as a doctoral student at the University of Utah.  Like thousands of other graduate students, I’d watched the “Gloria” films.  Carl Roger, Albert Ellis, Fritz Perls were all impressive if not confusing given their radically different styles.  I also knew that I would soon have the opportunity to meet each one live and in person.  Thanks to Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D. and the dedicated staff at the Milton H. Erickson Foundation, nearly every well known therapist, guru, and psychotherapy cult-leader would gather for the first mega-conference ever held, the field’s Woodstock: The Evolution of Psychotherapy.

Having zero resources at my disposal, I wrote to Jeff asking if I could volunteer for the event in exchange for the price of admission.  Soon after completing the multiple-page application, I received notice that I had been chosen to work at event.  I was ecstatic.  When December finally came around, I loaded up my old car with food and a sleeping bag and, together with a long time friend Paul Finch, drove from Salt Lake City to Phoenix.   What can I say?  It was alternately inspiring and confusing.  I learned so very much and also felt challenged to make sense of the disparate theories and approaches.

At that time, I had no idea that some twenty years later, I’d receive a call from Jeff Zeig asking me to participate as one of the “State of the Art” faculty for the 2005 Evolution Conference.  Actually, I can remember where I was when my cell phone rang: driving on highway 12 on southwest Michigan toward Indian Lake, where my family has a small cottage.  In any event, I’m looking forward to attending and presenting at the 2009 conference.  I encourage all of the readers of my blog to attend.  Registration information can be found at the conference website: www.evolutionofpsychotherapy.com.  The highlight of the event for me is a debate/discussion I’ll be having with my friend and colleague, Don Meichenbaum, Ph.D. on the subject of “evidence-based practice.”

One more thing.  To get a feel for the event, I included a clip of a panel discussion from the first Evolution conference featuring Carl Rogers.  Not trying to be hyperbolic, but listening to Rogers speak changed my life.  I won’t bore you with the details but the night following his presentation, I had a dream…(more later)…

Filed Under: Behavioral Health, Conferences and Training, Dodo Verdict, evidence-based practice, excellence Tagged With: albert ellis, carl roger, Don Meichenbaum, erickson, evidence based practice, Evolution of Psychotherapy, fritz perl, jejjrey k. zeig, psychotherapy

Excellence in Behavioral Health in Arizona

August 29, 2009 By scottdm 4 Comments

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For those of you are friends with me on Facebook (and if you’re not already, please do as it’s a blast), you know I was teaching at the 41st Annual Southwestern School for Behavioral Health Studies.

First, let me express my appreciation to the Board and Michelle Brown for bringing me to Tucson to present on “Achieving Clinical Excellence.”  If you’ve never attended this particular event, mark your calendar for next year.

This year, the conference theme was “Staying relevant in the 21st Century.”  By the time I took the microphone to speak, 350 dedicated professionals from all around the country were on their fifth and last day of the conference.  What a crowd!  Excited, energized, and dedicated to doing their personal best for consumers of behavioral health services.

I’ve already heard from several folks who were in attendance, relating a personal or clinical story illustrating the principles and practices I talked about during my presentations.  Thanks very much for sharing these stories with me.

Meanwhile, you can find the slides I used yesterday below.  Feel free to download, use, and forward them to interested friends and colleagues.

In parting, I thought I’d relate one of my own experiences of excellence.  It happened two years ago when I was presenting at this same conference. That morning, as I reached into my suitcase to get my clothes, I quickly discovered I’d left my slacks at home!  Like this year, I’d worn shorts, a T-shirt, and flip flops on the plane, so no help there. Panicked, I called my co-presenter, Dr. David Mee-Lee—after all, he is a psychiatrist.  He offered me an extra pair he had. It was a great idea that we both knew would never work since David is about 8” shorter than me.  So I called the front desk.  Now, the venue for the SWS for Behavioral Health is at the beautiful Loews Ventana Canyon Resort.  It’s nestled in the mountains, miles from the city.  Plus it was 7 am. My presentation started in an hour.  No store was open at this hour, not even the resort gift shop.  But that didn’t stop the dedicated staff at Loews.  Within minutes, the manager of the resort shop was at the hotel.  We found some pants and a shirt to match but the pants were 6 inches too long. “Not to worry,” the store manager said, she’d take care of it.  Within minutes someone from the housekeep staff—not a tailor or seamstress, just a kind, dedicated person—was cutting and sewing the hem on the pants.  I made it to the conference hall to present with 5 minutes to spare! I’ve never forgotten their kindness and dedication.

Achieving Clinical Excellence Handouts from Scott Miller

Filed Under: Conferences and Training, deliberate practice, excellence Tagged With: achieving clinical excellence, behavioral health, brief therapy, michelle brown, psychotherapy

The Debate of the Century

August 27, 2009 By scottdm

doubt_diceWhat causes change in psychotherapy?  Specific treatments applied to specific disorders?  Those in the “evidence-based” say so and have had a huge influence on behavioral healthcare policy and reimbursement.  Over the last 10 years, my colleagues and I have written extensively and traveled the world offering a different perspective: by and large, the effectiveness of care is due to a shared group of factors common to all treatment approaches.

In place of “evidence-based” practice, we’ve argued for “practice-based”evidence.  Said another way, what really matters in the debate is whether clients benefit–not the particular treatment approach.  Here on my website, clinicians can download absolutely free measures that can be used to monitor and improve outcome and retention (click Performance Metrics).

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Anyway, the message is finally getting through.  Recently, uber-statistician and all around good guy Bruce Wampold, Ph.D. debated prominent EBP proponent Steve Hollon.  Following the exchange, a vote was taken.  Bruce won handily: more than 15:1.

Scroll down to “Closing Debate” (Thursday)

Filed Under: Behavioral Health, Practice Based Evidence Tagged With: bruce wampold, cdoi, evidence based medicine, evidence based practice, ors, outcome rating scale, PCOMS, performance metrics, practice-based evidence, psychotherapy, session rating scale, srs, steve hollon

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