Presence in the Face of Unwelcome Uncertainty and Insecurity

Personal insecurity is a common presenting issue among psychotherapy clients, typically understood as a clinical issue. A Buddhist perspective, which begins with the recognition of the universality of suffering, indicates a perspective that offers alternative pathways to meet and overcome this source of distress in both our clients and ourselves. This talk outlines how adopting the perspective of the universality of suffering assists clinicians in engaging their own painful experience during the practice of psychotherapy, with the effect of increasing clinicians’ capacity for engaging and alleviating the suffering of clients. This mutuality and interpenetration of experience is argued to be the essence of therapeutic presence.

Objectives

1. Specify alternative approaches to the nature of personal & professional insecurity, and how it interferes with our ability to become and remain fully present in the clinical encounter.

Outline

• Demonstrate alternative approaches to the nature of personal and professional insecurity
• Understand and demonstrate skills for resting in the reality of discomfort for both client and clinician
• How not cultivating flexible relationships with uncertainty interferes with ability to become and remain fully present with clients