Relational Systems, Boundaries, Emotional Space, and Empathy

Presented by Daniel A. Bochner, PhD on 07-29-2011 at 9 a.m. Pacific to 10:30 a.m. Pacific (1:30 p.m. Eastern)

Relational Systems Theory (RST), developed by Dr. Dan Bochner, offers a new approach for seamlessly integrating the intrapsychic and the interpersonal at a systems level. In this 90-minute presentation, Dr. Bochner will demonstrate how the RST model informs therapists on the therapist/client relationship during the therapeutic encounter. Of most importance, RST will be shown to guide the therapist in new ways as countertransference reactions are utilized in developing empathy where the most common interpersonal responses can be expected to reinforce an individual’s self-defeating patterns.

The model will be presented as a guide for metabolizing countertransference reactions more directly by facilitating the therapist’s understanding of a person’s interpersonal behavior. The model will also be shown to enhance the therapist’s ability to offer new and more constructive alternatives to people in therapy for approaching their relationships with their own spouses, children, friends, and acquaintances. The use of RST is only limited by a therapist’s inability, or lack of willingness, to engage authentically.

This web conference is designed to help clinicians:

  1. Outline the basic system of the intrapsychic and interpersonal as described in Dr. Bochner’s Relational Systems Theory;
  2. Identify intrapsychic and interpersonal boundaries that will help differentiate useful from iatrogenic (reactions originating from the therapist) countertransference reactions;
  3. Describe the difference between therapeutic activity and therapeutic interference in reference to the concept of “Emotional Space;”
  4. Define empathic responses as countertransferential in general;
  5. Utilize a clear method for developing accurate empathy from difficult countertransference reactions.

If you have any questions about this Web Conference or would like more information, please contact us here.

Continuing Education (CE) Information

1.5 CE credits will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety.

GoodTherapy.org is also an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within counseling services.

GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395.

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

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Meet the Presenter

Daniel A. Bochner, PhD

Daniel A. Bochner, PhD

Daniel A. Bochner, PhD, is the author of two books. His newest, The Emotional Toolbox: A Manual for Mental Health (Xlibris, 2011) is a self-help how-to for anyone interested in psychology or psychotherapy. It includes key explanations of essential psychological and psychotherapeutic constructs for individual, couples, and family psychology as well as tools for improving one’s life and relationships. His previous work, The Use of Self in Family Therapy (Aronson, 2000), is a clinical treatise in which Dr. Bochner introduced his "Relational Systems Theory" a psychoanalytic systems model that seamlessly connects the intrapsychic to the interpersonal world.

Dr. Bochner's approach to psychotherapetuic treatment applies his spontaneous and authentic interpersonal style to working in-depth in both brief and long-term treatments. He has been a licensed psychologist since 1998. For the past ten years, he has been in private practice in Savannah, Georgia. Dr. Bochner has been working in the psychotherapy field since 1987, in community mental health centers, psychiatric facilities, private practice and in the U.S. Navy. In addition to providing individual (adult and child), couples, family, group treatment, and psychological evaluations, Dr. Bochner is a clinical supervisor and regularly presents on many topics related to family psychology and psychotherapy. Dr. Bochner and his wife Mary Jo have been married for 17 years, and he has two sons, Henry, age 16, and Owen, age 13. For more information on Dr. Bochner, please visit his website.

Continuing Education Provider Approvals

  • aceGoodTherapy.org is Approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • Logo GoodTherapy.org has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6380. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. GoodTherapy.org is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
  • Logo This course has been approved by GoodTherapy.org, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #135463. GoodTherapy.org is responsible for all aspects of their programming.
  • GoodTherapy.org, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0395.
  • GoodTherapy.org, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031.

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