Understanding Creative Hopelessness
The concept of Creative Hopelessness is confusing. You may have awareness that Creative Hopelessness is a key part of ACT, and you think you might be pulling it off even though you're not quite sure what it is or how to do it, and so you do “CH Lite” or attempt it with minimal confidence.
Does this sound like you?
That was me when I was first using ACT. Now, after studying Relational Frame Theory, especially the role of pliance behaviors, and integrating that into my clinical work, I have a deeper understanding of CH and how to use it throughout the arc of therapy.
In this workshop we'll break down the jargon, use clinical examples to explore CH in an applied setting, and explore how to tailor it to your style and your client's clinical context. Participants can expect "seeing" CH from different perspectives that demystify it, link it to basic behavioral (ABA) principles, Motivational Interviewing, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and recognize how CH supports growth in all six core ACT processes.
Participants will learn to track potential pitfalls as clinicians (e.g., the righting reflex), which will help them watch for these in session with clients. Participants will have an opportunity to real play or role play confronting the control agenda with confidence and direction. They will also have an opportunity to build a case conceptualization of a stuck client from the lens of CH and develop potentially useful interventions. I also want to create lots of time for discussion at the end for people to ask questions, share wisdom and knowledge, and use the group process for greater learning.
LO1: Participants will be able to functionally define Creative Hopelessness
LO2: Participants will be able to link Creative Hopelessness with the six core processes of ACT
Presenters bio: John Powell (he/his/him) is a mental health counselor in private practice focusing on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Clinical Relational Frame Theory. John developed the therapeutic pillar of Two Roads Academy, an alternative school in Colchester, Vermont; developed the theory of the Values-Driven Education Model; and has been teaching ACT for seven years. He's a member of the Association For Contextual Behavioral Science and has spoken at two ACBS World Conferences (Dublin and Buenos Aires). He's presented twice at the LaMiss Regional conference. His clinical work spans adolescents, adults, couples, families, and parents.
John obtained his 200-hour yoga teacher certificate from Sangha Studio in 2020 and has been practicing yoga for almost 20 years. He has also returned to Sangha multiple times to lecture on prana/chi and currently teaches yin and vinyasa yoga at Aquarian Dreams in Indiatlantic, Florida.
When: Apr 16, 2025 03:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/aGxjMXBaQsmr7JYlQDMz0g
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.