会中工作坊 分会场一 Discovering the Therapist’s Signature Theme(s) Facilitator: Dr Charles Sim (Singapore University of Social Sciences)

分会场一 2021年7月17日晚上 18:30-21:00

地点：浔江厅2F

**Discovering the Therapist’s Signature Theme(s)
Facilitator: Dr Charles Sim (Singapore University of Social Sciences) **
Co-facilitators: Ms Wangke & Ms Nie Xilun (Beijing Normal University)

Abstract: In this experiential online workshop, the participants will have an appreciation and opportunity to identify their signature theme(s) as a therapist/ counselor. According to Aponte and Carlsen (2009), “signature themes are the lifelong struggles shaping the person’s relationships with self and others.” These signature theme(s) often influence and affect the way (unconsciously) therapists experience and conduct therapy, even in their personal lives. Dr Harry Aponte at Drexel University (USA) developed the “Person-of-the-Therapist” (POTT) training model to enable trainee therapists/ counselors to identify their signature theme(s), and eventually use it purposefully and therapeutically within the therapy session. And in the last few years, Dr Charles Sim with the encouraging support from Dr Aponte has successfully integrated the POTT training into his Master of Counseling and Couple & Family Therapy program at the Singapore University of Social Sciences. More recently, he managed to conduct a synchronous online POTT training for the counselors and clinical supervisors at the Mental Health Services (MHS) Center, Beijing Normal University.

There are three stages in this POTT training: identify and present the signature theme(s), awareness of the trigger(s) to signature theme(s), and using the signature theme(s) consciously and purposefully in therapy session. Signature theme(s)are in fact “resources that can enhance therapists’ effectiveness, by placing learning to work through these signature themes at the very heart of the training of therapists in the use of self. We all live with our very unique-to-each person signature struggles with ourselves and with life. Signature theme has an underlying core, such as the need for control or fear of vulnerability or fear of rejection or feelings of low self-esteem. These themes are universal enough to enable therapists to identify and empathize with most clients” (Aponte & Kissil, 2014).

In this online (in-conference) workshop, we will provide participants with an overview of the POTT philosophy, premises and training model. Participants will also learn how to identify their (initial) signature theme(s) by means of reflexive questions during the workshop with the help of the facilitators. They will also have the opportunity to share their (initial) signature theme(s) with other participants within a safe environment. To further enhance their online learning experience, facilitators will demonstrate how the therapist’s signature theme(s) can influence and affect one’s professional and personal life.

Thus, the main purpose of this online workshop is to provide the opportunity and create a safe environment for participants to discover/ identify their signature theme(s), as well as to be aware of it in their clinical work, if possible. We hope that through the POTT training, participants will eventually learn to transform their personal deficits into clinical assets, by accepting, accessing and applying their signature theme(s) purposefully and therapeutically in session, for the good of their clients/ families and personal development.

Key words: experiential online learning, Person-of-the-therapist, Professional and personal development, Signature themes