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NYSEPH PRESENTED IT'S 2ND MASTER CLASS SERIES ON:

APRIL 15, 16 & 17TH 2005:
at
Dorot, 171 West 85th Street, 5th Floor

.......................................................ERICKSONIAN COUPLES THERAPY

..................................................WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

Instructor: Michele Ritterman, PhD, psychologist, teacher and author (Using Hypnosis in Family Therapy; Hope Under Siege: Terror and Family Support in Chile) has conducted workshops nationally and internationally, on the systematic integration of Ericksonian techniques into family and couples therapy. Known also for her work on state terror and surviving trauma, she developed the concept of the symptom as a trance state, and has written extensively on trance-in-interaction, states of mind and couples work.  Dr. Ritterman studied directly with Dr. Milton Erickson for seven years.

 

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Two roof top views on top of the Dorot looking over 85th Street on the West Side

 

Members of the class watching Michele work with a couple.

Michele, Sid Rosen and other members of the class having dinner at the Turquoise restaurant............. .

 

Michele Ritterman presented over 3 days her unique style and understanding of therapy with couples in a NYSEPH Master Seminar. Participants agreed that her ability to unravel and address couples issues was magical to experience first hand.

Michele Ritterman works with couples, paying close attention to small details, carefully addressing each partner’s viewpoint, moving her chair to provide support to one partner or the other, as the dialogue unfolds. Her approach is refreshing, following the dialogue and emotional nuances, step by step, she helps to unfold the narrative of each partner, allowing themes to emerge and patterns to be revealed.

There were demonstrations of several role plays as well as an actual couple, which brought her work to life.

Michele Ritterman’s basic premise has evolved from her many years as a family therapist, under the direction and close association with Jay Haley, Salvador Minuchin and Milton Erickson. Amidst these substantial mentors, Michele Ritterman has developed her own approach, working sensitively within the intimate boundaries of a couple.

Michele Ritterman’s premise is that couples hypnotize each other without knowng it, complete with trance inductions and post hypnotic suggestions which often evoke/provoke the negative behavior which the partner would actually like to change. Using an understanding of Ericksonian hypnosis, she seeks to create a hypnotic atmosphere, closely checking for changes in physiology and makes comments (versus providing insight). She remains aware of couples’ inductions and when the client is not feeling in control, she is able to lead them into trance conversationally. She has the amazing ability to understand and tap into ‘root’ questions. She provides protection to a client when they are feeling vulnerable by joining with them and helps them to open up in that moment. Michele Ritterman also points out that it is important to know whether the couple is capable of making changes which their partner desires.

More on Michele’s technique can be found in her book, Using Hypnosis in Family Therapy.

NYSEPH hopes to bring her back for further training sessions in the future.