I’m still reeling from the experience in Anaheim this last week. I met so many leaders in the field, heard so many presentations on cutting edge clinical practice–as well as was reminded of some “classic” principles of effective psychotherapy.
One of the people I met was colleague and friend, Michael F. Hoyt, Ph.D. Michael and I go back 15+ years, having met–I believe–the first time at a workshop I was giving in Northern California (somewhere in the Bay Area where Michael works and resides). Since that time, we chatted regularly, and written editorials and book chapters together. His books (The First Session in Brief Therapy, Brief Therapy & Managed Care, The Handbook of Constructive Therapies, Some Stories are Better than Others) always balance theory and practice and are among my favorites.
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My two favorite books are also his most recent: The Present is a Gift and Brief Psychotherapies: Principles & Practice (Hint: his chapters on couples therapy are among the best I’ve ever read). Anyway, the two of us caught up at the ICCE booth this last week at the Evolution conference.
Scott-
Great interview with Michael Hoyt! You two packed a *lot* into a brief period of time. How fitting given his background. His comments about the conference fit with my view to a large degree, and I found the comments interesting partly because I’m trying to find ways in my own practice to merge constructivism with what I also consider to be a healthy verticality in the relationship of the “healing ritual.” The constructivist approach can be used to create a corrective feedback loop or “governor circuit” on the “healthy verticality.” It’s a beautiful little solution, I think, to use formal feedback and a true belief in egalitarianism while being willing to use some of the clinical power that comes from clients’ projections (some true, some not) of our special knowledge, abilities, etc., in a healing relationship. Doing it well also can tie together what Michael sees as disparate threads at the conference: the top-down old-guard approach, the mindfulness approach, the constructivist approach…
-Jason
Fascinating video with Michael Hoyt that packs a *lot* into a brief period of time. How fitting given his background! I agreed with many of his comments about the conference.
-Jason