Aaron Beck (1995) selects a clinician to role-play a male client. The client, Mike, was abandoned by his wife after she had multiple affairs. Mike is a recovering alcoholic with a sexually transmitted disease who suffers from dating anxiety, childhood trauma, and feelings of inferiority. Beck demonstrates how to establish a collaborative relationship with the patient.
In 1979, Milton Erickson and Jeffrey Zeig spent five hours reviewing a demonstration that Erickson conducted at a teaching seminar. That demonstration is now available as a training video for Ericksonian practitioners. Erickson’s experiential methods include the symbolic use of hypnotic phenomena, encouraging resistance, naturalistic confusion technique, seeding, and using isomorphic anecdotes. Jeffrey Zeig discusses the mechanics of Erickson’s unique approach to psychotherapy. Working with Resistance provides an opportunity to watch a master hypnotherapist demonstrate his technique.
Albert Ellis (2000) demonstrates with two volunteers. The first volunteer is angry and intimidated by her supervisors. Humor and imagery are incorporated. The second volunteer feels a need to control others and is angry when she can’t. Ellis uses imagery to correct cognitive patterns and produce an emotional shift.
Alexander Lowen (2000) demonstrates with Ann, who he used as a ten years earlier. She reports that since that first session she has been free of severe asthma attacks. She is now troubled by the death of her father and mother, abuse from her brother, excessive weight gain and the onset of menopause. Lowen guides her through a series of movement exercises.
Alexander Lowen (1995) demonstrates with John who is dissatisfied with his body. Through exercises, Lowen helps John use his body to express his full range of feelings. Lowen explains that he does not rely on the mind to change behavior because of its lack of power. Lowen expects the body to free itself. The demonstration concludes with Lowen’s elaboration on his work.