Case Consultation.
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As a clinician, do you ever find yourself unsure of how to best respond in the moment to your client’s difficulties? We all know how common and frustrating this experience is. Oftentimes, we don’t really know what to do, and many therapists attempt to solve this dilemma by “shooting from the hip”: hoping what they say to their clients will be productive.
In treating our clients successfully, it’s not only important to have a theory in mind that helps you conceptualize your case, but it’s also crucial to know how to intervene, in the moment, where you can observe the immediate impact of your intervention. Does your client become more defensive when you speak or offer help to them? Or, does the person become more active in session, spontaneous, alive, and insightful? Is the client better able to experience feelings and relinquish automatic habits that perpetuate suffering and problems? I am trained in an evidenced-based (scientifically researched) psychotherapy technique called ISTDP that helps clients solve the internal problems that keep them from leading their most satisfying, productive lives. I have helped many clients break through internal barriers, such as lack of motivation and difficulty with assertion and learn how to think, feel, and behave differently in a shorter amount of time than with most traditional psychotherapies. Currently, I offer individual and group case consultation to psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, and career counselors. I have taught an all-day introductory workshop on Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) at Stanford University’s Vaden Counseling Center. This workshop focused on establishing both the conscious and unconscious therapeutic alliance, including how to recognize and intervene effectively with client defenses. Participants in this workshop also learned how to help clients regulate anxiety and approach avoided feelings. The learning and teaching of ISTDP is typically done through lectures, PowerPoint presentations, discussion, experiential exercises, and video demonstrations of work with clients. Participants will initially observe videotape of their teacher and other teachers in ISTDP. Later, in learning, participants will present their own videotapes. Although many clinicians are initially anxious about videotaping their own work, this method is a more-effective way of knowing what actually transpires moment-by-moment between therapist and client than the therapist’s self-report of what happens in session. The viewing of video tape and the practice of experiential exercises is always done in a safe, supportive and respectful environment. Being able to review the videotapes helps us form a dynamic case conceptualization and understand how your client is responding to the particular interventions you employ. (continued→)
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My approach to helping you with your case is to best support your particular learning needs. For instance, do you need help with getting a clear, mutual understanding of your client's problem? Or, is your client so anxious during session that he/she cannot focus on the content of the problem effectively? Does the client not seem motivated to work on what they tell you they want to accomplish in session? Or, perhaps your own reactions are getting stirred up by a client who may devalue you or your work in session. Some clients make us feel sleepy. Why is this?
By understanding the problem you are having in your work with your client as well as the client’s problem, we can support you to do your best counseling with clients and help make the therapeutic enterprise a relationship for real change. Learn more about my evidenced-based approaches to treatment.
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I have had many supervisors and colleagues over 25 years of practice in psychiatry. Diane is definitely at the top of the group! She taught and consulted with me on many cases — compassionately developing my skills as an ISTDP therapist and as the best person I could be in my role as therapist. Diane does this through a firm understanding of theory and technique, but not at the expense of the individual and their humanity. I highly recommend her as a therapist, teacher, and supervisor/consultant. — Ronald C. Albucher, M.D.
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Supervision with Diane has been really helpful. I was beginning to feel discouraged and burned out in my clinical work, and Diane has done a great job of meeting me where I’m at and helping me focus on the most important fundamentals of ISTDP. Only five meetings in and I feel I’m helping my clients much more quickly and deeply. — Matthew McCall, Psy.D. |
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Diane has been my go-to case consultant for two years. She is supportive but rigorous. Her suggested interventions and case analysis are superb — so much so that I tape record them in order to listen to them several times. Both my patients and I have benefited tremendously. Diane also has taught numerous times in my psychological development classes at Stanford Law School, presenting both ISTDP and the integration of yoga into psychotherapy and life. She is a superb teacher, engaging the students powerfully at both the intellectual and experiential levels. She receives stunning and well-deserved positive reviews from the students. — Jeff Strnad, J.D., Ph.D., LMFT |
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