Hybrid Training

1 CE Hour

“Understanding and Managing the “I don’t know…” Response”

Clifton Mitchell, PhD

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What are the three most common words therapy? “I don’t know…” Most therapists have not been adequately training in understanding and managing the “I don’t know…” response. This presentation will take a deep dive into the “I don’t know…” response with a focus on understanding what it means from clients’ perspectives. It will also offer a number of ways to successfully navigate this most common response without fostering resistance. Common therapist errors in conceptualizing the response will be addressed as well as an understanding of the significance of this most vital moment in the therapeutic process.

Objectives:

• Describe some of the many meanings behind the “I don’t know…” response.

• Describe a number of therapeutically appropriate approaches for moving beyond the “I don’t response…”

• Explain why managing the therapeutic juncture that occurs when “I don’t know…” is heard is vital to successful therapeutic outcomes.

About the Speaker(s)

Clifton Mitchell, PhD

Clifton Mitchell Ph.D., is an international clinical trainer and keynote speaker who has a love for teaching and over 23 years of training experience. He delivers practical information in a uniquely entertaining, fast-paced style that is filled with humor and examples from his experience in mental health. For over 15 years, he has studied and presented seminars on methods for dealing with resistance in therapy. In his book, Effective Techniques for Dealing with Highly Resistant Clients, he presents cutting-edge approaches for managing psychological resistance. He has trained thousands of mental health professionals in the management of difficult, perplexing legal and ethical issues and his latest training is in an exciting, dynamic game show format. He has also been the keynote speaker at conventions and taught hundreds of mental health organizations, businesses, leadership groups, and civic organizations effective techniques for improving communications and for creating change through the precise use of language. He is a contributing author in therapy books and published in numerous professional journals including the Psychotherapy Networker, Psychotherapy in Australia, Journal of Personality Assessment, Perceptual and Motor Skills, Psychology and Education, Journal of Psychological Type, The Professional School Counselor, Vistas, and The Advocate. His research includes investigations of therapeutic resistance, legal and ethical issues, subliminal message tapes, stress and coping, PMS, and personality types. His ideas and writings have also been published in Men’s Health Today and Barron’s Financial Weekly. Dr. Mitchell is currently a professor Emeritus at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee, where he received the Teacher of the Year award in 2002. For more information please visit: www.cliftonmitchell.com.

TLPCA Contact

If you have any questions, please contact Hunter Cook.