what is Relational Psychotherapy?

Relational psychotherapy is a powerful, effective model for working with individuals who suffer from chronic emotional, psychological, and/or relational distress. Relational psychotherapy is based on the following principles:

1. Emotional well-being depends on having satisfying mutual relationships with others.

2. Emotional distress is often rooted in patterns of relational experience, past and present, which have the power to demean and deaden the self.

3. The relational therapist tries to understand the client's unique self-experience in its social/relational context and to respond with empathy and genuine presence.

4. Together, client and therapist create a new in-depth relationship which is supportive, strengthening, and enlivening for the client.

5. Within this secure relationship, the client can safely re-experience, and then find freedom from, the powerful effects of destructive relationships, past and present.

Relational therapists help clients understand, on the one hand, their own patterns of thoughts and feelings about themselves, and on the other hand, the power of significant relationships, past and present, to shape this self-experience. Through the interpersonal process of therapeutic interaction, relational therapy strengthens and transforms a client's sense of self, which in turn enhances his/her/their confidence and well-being in the world. Empowerment and growth through interpersonal connection are both the process and the goal of relational psychotherapy.

With this perspective on therapy and relationship, a relational therapist takes seriously the interpersonal impact of power differentials and social issues such as race, class, culture, gender, and sexual difference, and works with these issues as they are present in the client's life and in the therapy relationship.

The principles of relational psychotherapy taught by the Toronto Institute for Relational Psychotherapy are drawn from self psychology, intersubjectivity theory, relational psychoanalysis, interpersonal neurobiology, psychodynamic developmental theory, trauma theory, and feminist theories of psychotherapy.

phase 1

Time: 3 hours weekly, September to April, two weekends (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon), readings and papers.

Primary focus: An introduction to relational therapy through group experience, theory, and practice therapy. Experience in the intensive group process is a ground for learning the dynamics of relational patterns and responses. Theory seminars encourage dialogue with current relational theory concepts. Students begin practice therapy sessions in the second semester.

Content: Students are introduced to basic concepts of relational psychodynamic theory: self psychology, intersubjectivity, self-in-relation theory, attachment theory, and feminist therapy perspectives on diversity and trauma.

Requirements: 

• Attendance at weekly classes (absent from no more than three classes) and mandatory attendance at the Anti-oppression / Anti-Racism Workshop, Jurisprudence & Ethics Workshop and at two scheduled weekend intensives

• Weekly reading assignments

• Integrative papers

Students should note that prior to beginning Phase 2 they should have a (student) membership in a professional organization such as the Canadian Association for Psychodynamic Therapy or the Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists and have contracted for professional and commercial general liability insurance through that professional organization.

Evaluation:  At the end of the year students will be evaluated by their peers and faculty and will provide a self-evaluation. Progress of all students is routinely discussed at faculty meetings and decisions about whether or not studetns successfully complete the year are made following completion of all classes. Readiness to proceed to Phase 2 will be based on an assessment of:

• Capacity to be in relationship

• A sense of self cohesion

• Ability to engage in group process

• Comprehension of theory presentations and reading assignments

• Ability to be self-reflective, to work with the patterns of relationship within the group, and to make use of the concepts being taught in the course

phase 2

Time: 3 hours weekly, September to April, two weekends (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon), weekly readings, seminar and paper preparation, at least 30 hours of client work and 15 hours of supervision before commencing Phase 3.

Primary focus: Development of the therapist's self through integrating theory and practice; continued learning through the dynamics of group process with an emphasis on using group experience to enhance self understanding within a practical and theoretical framework, supervision of clinical work.

Content: Theory is expanded from the previous year with a focus on moving theory into practice. Increased attention is paid to empathic attunement, forming a therapeutic alliance, understanding transference and co-transference, and the use of the intersubjective field, all in preparation for work with clients. Students continue in practice therapy and begin work with clients under supervision.

Requirements:

• Attendance at weekly classes (absent from no more than three classes); and mandatory attendance at the Safety Planning Workshop and at two scheduled weekend intensives

• Weekly reading assignments and preparation for seminar presentations and discussions

• Integrative papers

• Students will begin to work with clients in October. Bi-weekly supervision is mandatory. Weekly supervision is required with 4 weekly client hours or more.

• At least 30 hours of direct work with clients is required before commencing course work for Phase 3.

Evaluation: Students will be evaluated by their peers, faculty and supervisors and will provide a self-evaluation. Progress of all students is routinely discussed at faculty meetings and decisions about whether or not students successfully complete the year are made following completion of all classes. Readiness to proceed to Phase 3 will be based on an assessment of:

• A growing capacity to be in relationship

• Comprehension of theory presentations and reading assignments

• Supervision of 30 hours of direct clinical work with clients

• Deepening self awareness and empathy as a therapist

• Increased understanding of the intersubjective dynamics of the therapy relationship

phase 3

Time: 3 hours weekly, September to April; two weekends (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon); preparation time for theory and case presentations; client work and at least bi-weekly supervision.

Primary focus: Further development of the student's professional self; integration of theory and practice; continued learning through the dynamics of group process with an emphasis on using group experience to enhance self understanding within a practical and theoretical framework, supervision of clinical work.

Content: Theory content includes self psychology, intersubjectivity, relational and attachment theory, with a special emphasis on applying content to practice. Specific clinical issues will be highlighted. Students are also involved in practice therapy and in presenting their own case material.

Requirements:

• Attendance at weekly classes (absent from no more than three classes) and mandatory attendance at two scheduled weekend intensives

• Reading assignments and theory presentations

• Integrative papers

• Maintaining a practice of at least 2 clients with at least bi-weekly supervision

• Regular case presentations to the core group and one presentation to / with the student training community on the spring residential weekend.

Evaluation: Students will be evaluated by their peers, faculty and supervisors, and will provide a self-evaluation. Progress of all students is routinely discussed at faculty meetings and decisions about whether or not students successfully complete the year are made following completion of all classes. Completion of the course work will be based on an assessment of:

• Capacity to integrate theory and practice

• Ability to sustain a therapeutic alliance and to provide effective therapy

• Demonstration of a sound working knowledge and clinical ability in central aspects of relational psychotherapy