What does it mean to connect to others in an in-depth way? What are the effects of relating deeply to clients in therapy, and how can such a such an encounter be facilitated? This workshop will give participants an opportunity to explore their experiences of relational depth, and how it feels to meet others at this level of intensity and intimacy: in both their therapeutic practice and everyday life. Through small group exercises, pairs-work, discussion and theory input, the workshop will help participants develop a deeper understanding of such encounters, and also how they come to deepen their levels of relating in their therapeutic work.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
Understand the nature of relational depth
Articulate their own experiences of in-depth relating
Understand the latest research findings on the nature, impact and prevalence of relational depth in therapy
Recognise means of deeepening levels of relating with clients
Recognise their own chronic strategies of disconnection and other barriers to relational depth
Schedule
Session 1: Experiencing relational depth, in and out of therapy
Session 2: The importance of relatedness to psychological wellbeing
Session 3: Deepening our levels of relating with clients
Session 4: Chronic strategies of disconnection
Format
This workshop is typically delivered as a one day event. However, a more extended version of this course can be delivered over two days.
The workshop combines self-development exercises, theoretical input, practical exercises, and small and large group discussion.
The workshop is appropriate for training and practising counsellors, psychotherapists, counselling psychologists and other mental health professionals.
Latest research findings on relational depth can also be presented as a one/two hour keynote lecture.
Resources
Relational depth workshop slides [Translations: Greek, Russian]
Chronic Strategies of Disconnection Inventory [Translations (unvalidated): Greek, Ukrainian, Russian]
Relational Depth Frequency Scale (Client) [Translations (unvalidated): Greek, Ukrainian, Russian]
Cooper, M (2005) Working at relational depth, Therapy Today, 16(8), 16-20. (Brief article overviewing relational depth theory and practice) [Translations: Ukrainian]
Cooper, M. (2017). Meeting at relational depth. Therapy Today, 28-32. (Brief article reviewing the latest evidence on relational depth)
Books
Research publications
Di Malta, G. S., Evans, C., & Cooper, M. (2020). Development and validation of the Relational Depth Frequency Scale. Psychotherapy Research, 30, 213-227. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2019.1585590
Cooper, M., & Knox, R. (2017). Therapists’ self-reported chronic strategies of disconnection in everyday life and in counselling and psychotherapy: an exploratory study. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2017.1343457
Cooper, M. (2012). Clients' and therapists' perceptions of intrasessional connection: An analogue study of change over time, predictor variables, and level of consensus. Psychotherapy Research, 22(3), 274-287.
Cooper, M., Chak, A., Cornish, F., & Gillespie, A. (2012). Dialogue: Bridging personal, community and social transformation. Journal of Humanistic Psychology.
Cooper, M., & Ikemi, A. (2012). Dialogue: A dialogue between focusing and relational perspectives. Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies, 11(2), 124-136.
Knox, R., & Cooper, M. (2011). A state of readiness: An exploration of the client’s role in meeting at relational depth. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 51(1), 61-81.
Knox, R. and Cooper, M. (2010). Relationship qualities that are associated with moments of relational depth: The client’s perspective. Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapies 9(3): 236-256.
Cooper, M. (2009). Interpersonal perceptions and metaperceptions: Psychotherapeutic practice in the inter-experiential realm. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 49(1), 85-99.
Cooper, M. (2005). Therapists' experiences of relational depth: A qualitative interview study. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 5(2), 87-95.
Videos
Relational depth and psychotherapy. Keynote Lecture, Manchester Institute of Psychotherapy Conference, 2019
Working at Relational Depth: What the Research Tells us and Implications for Coaching. Keynote Lecture. (7/1/2021)
Martin Buber’s I and Thou and its contribution to relational therapeutic practice (18/2/2022). Download Slides
Mick interviewed in 2011 on relational depth by John Wilson
Ukrainian: Relational depth lecture (translation by Olha Shevchuk)