The Art of Being a Failure as a Therapist—Haley Revisited

The Art of Being a Failure as a Therapist—Haley Revisited

Friday, April 12, 2024

Registration 8:30am Program 9am to 12pm

Presented By: Jay Efran, Ph.D.

Location: Online Workshop

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

3 CE Credits

It has been more than fifty years since Jay Haley published his sardonic essay, The Art of Being a Failure as a Therapist. Arguing that failing as a therapist was too important to be left entirely to chance, he identified several sure-fire practices to ensure that therapy will be ineffective. In this workshop, we will review and update Haley’s recommendations in light of today’s emphasis on cognitive-behavioral, constructivist, emotion-focused, and trauma-centered perspectives. Which beliefs, strategies, and tactics have withstood the test of time, and which need to be revised, retired, or replaced?

Objectives:

1. List two of Jay Haley’s steps to therapeutic failure.
2. Describe the core elements of an effective therapy contract.
3. Explain the principle of “respectful skepticism.”
4. Discuss the problems with the term “individual therapy.”
5. Discuss the definition of feelings as “blocked actions.”

Jay Efran, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Temple University. He is the recipient of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association’s 2009 award for Distinguished Contributions to the Science and Profession of Psychology, the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award of the Constructivist Psychology Network, and the 2023 Philadelphia Society of Clinical Psychologists award for Sustained Contributions to the Science and Practice of Psychology. He has also won two teaching awards—one from the University of Rochester and one from Temple University. At Temple, he was the director of clinical training for nearly a decade, followed by an additional decade as director of the program’s Psychological Services Center. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (including divisions 12, 29, 32, and 49) and of the American Group Psychotherapy Association. He has served as president of the Academic Division of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association and was twice elected President of the Philadelphia Area Group Psychotherapy Society. A therapist for more than 60 years, Dr. Efran has co-authored two books and more than 120 professional articles and chapters.

PSCP: The Psychology Network is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PSCP: The Psychology network maintains responsibility for this program and its content.