The Therapist’s Body and Voice: Preparing, Using, and Taking Care of Our Instruments

In-person Workshop
Friday, March 8, 2024
10:00am - 4:00pm (1 hour lunch break)

1 Washington Square North, Parlor, New York NY 10003

NYSED and ASWB/ACE approved for 5 CE contact hours

As psychotherapists our implicit communication with our clients (or "scene partners") is arguably even more pivotal than what we say. But our discourse rarely addresses how we use ourselves to engage our clients moment-to-moment. No matter what kind of therapist we are, our most essential instrument for therapeutic engagement is our selves—our bodies, voices, faces, thoughts, feelings, and imaginations. And the quality of our work depends on how well we prepare, use, and take care of our instruments. Utilizing his background as a trained actor and a therapist, Mark O'Connell will show you how to use your instrument authentically and with versatility, even when you're just listening to your clients quietly. Videos, case examples, and exercises will be used to inspire you to trust yourself as a clinician; to use yourself with intention and creativity—particularly in terms of your implicit communication with clients—and to take care of your instrument at the same time.

As a result of attending this workshop, participants will:

• Discuss implicit communication in clinical practice with individuals, couples, and families, including questions around self disclosure, confidentiality and countertransference.
• Explore from an ethical perspective, the vital practice of authenticity, and how we can prepare, use, and take care of our unique "instruments" effectively.
• Utilize stage and theatrical concepts of 'characters' and 'roles' within relationships and situations to gain perspectives on effective communication, ethical and clinical best practices.

Mark O'Connell, LCSW-R, MFA

Mark O’Connell, LCSW-R, MFA, is a psychotherapist in New York City and the author of the book The Performing Art of Therapy: Acting Insights and Techniques for Clinicians.  His wide-ranging articles have been published in various clinical journals and popular sources, and he writes the Psychology Today blog Quite Queerly. For more information about Mark's workshops on using the therapist's "instrument," visit: www.theperformingartoftherapy.com. And for more information about Mark’s psychotherapy practice visit: www.markoconnelltherapist.com

General Admission: $100.00

Available Discounts: 

• NYU Alumni (10% off): $90
• Current Practicum Instructors/Educational Coordinators (10% off): $90

If after registering, you determine that you can no longer attend this event, The Office of Global and Lifelong Learning will issue refunds on the following basis:

• Refund requests made on or before March 1, 2024 (by midnight): full refund
• Refund requests made on or before March 5, 2024 (by midnight): 50% refund
• Refund requests made on or after March 6, 2024: no refund

If this event is cancelled, all registrants will be fully reimbursed. To withdraw from and be reimbursed for this event, please complete the event withdrawal form.

NYSED and ASWB/ACE approved for 5 Continuing Education Contact Hours.

55 jurisdictions accept ACE-approved provider CE contact hours. ACE is not an approved Continuing Education provider in the states of New York (though NYU Silver is NYSED CE approved in NYS) and West Virginia, unless the event is outside of West VA. ACE only approves individual courses in New Jersey, though NYU Silver is CSWE-accredited and therefore accepted for licensed NJ professionals. Here is a full list of statutes related to social work CE.

Special Accommodations:
Students requiring accommodations have the opportunity to make these known upon registering or by writing to silver.continuingeducation@nyu.edu.

Addressing Grievances:
For information on our grievance and complaint procedures, contact 212.998.9099 or silver.continuingeducation@nyu.edu.

Note on Accessibility:
It is a priority to make our events inclusive and accessible. For any questions or to notify us of a request, please email silver.continuingeducation@nyu.edu at least 72 hours before the event.

NYU Silver School of Social Work
Office of Global and Lifelong Learning
285 Mercer Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10003

Email: silver.continuingeducation@nyu.edu
Phone: 212.998.5973
Fax: 212.995.4497