About the Course
Amid today's culture wars, Identity Politics corrodes the teaching and practice of psychotherapy, especially in the widely-misunderstood realm of "culture" and “diversity." Many people on both sides feel distrustful, alienated and/or demoralized. This course gives a structural model for clinical work that re-enlivens moral depth — without moralism. The goal is to clarify concepts and conflicts that impact daily life and clinical settings. It aims to facilitate engagement with patients and colleagues — and within ourselves — even as we grapple with vital and controversial issues. Research indicates that ideological diversity — seeing topics from different points of view — improves psychology. This course builds on that with Jon Haidt’s ’Moral Foundations Theory,’ a cultural lens to grasp differences across cultures, within cultures, and the daily experiences of clients and students encountered by therapists. Specific clinical applications will be explored, e.g. the clinical utility of fluency with “disgust.” Critiques and competing moral models will be considered. This structural model helps explain interpersonal divisions (and intra-psychic ones), plus ways to bridge divisions with deep cultural understanding and relational attunement. Course fee: $69 (+ $20 if requesting CE Certificate) Further information (eg. instructor credentials, attendance policy, educational objectives, target audience and instructional level, and disclosures about conflict of interest, etc.) available at [email protected] Instructor: Douglas C. Novotny, Ph.D. Your Positive Sum, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Your Positive Sum, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
About the Instructor
Doug Novotny is a practicing clinical psychologist, with 25+ years clinical experience and 15+ years training and supervising therapists at all levels. He completed an interdisciplinary psychology Ph.D. at the University of Chicago, and Internship at Harvard’s Cambridge Hospital. He recently founded Your Positive Sum LLC to offer constructive solutions to “culture war” problems — problems that undermine psychology, education, and more generally corrode the values and civil society institutions upon which the Western model of freedom and human flourishing is built.
Ready to Transform Your Practice?
Enroll today and gain the tools to enhance your clinical work and deepen your cultural understanding when the course starts on March 18th.