Learning from Masters:  A Virtual Seminar Series with Master Therapists

Meet Our Speakers

Dr. Allyson Smith This initial seminar, led by Dr. Allyson Smith, provides a comprehensive review of the literature on master therapists & the development of therapist expertise. Drawing from evidence-based research, this seminar will focus on identifying the traits & skills found to be most critical for clinical excellence. The presentation includes practical strategies to help attendees develop these key skills & integrate them into their practice. A live Q&A will follow. Attendees will receive structured at- home worksheets to support reflection & self-assessment, guiding them in identifying areas for continued professional & personal growth. Dr Martha Stark, MD Empathy: The Royal Road to the Client’s Unconscious I will be highlighting what I consider to be the critically important distinction between “empathic attunement” to the client and “authentic engagement” with the client. There is a place for both stances – at different times – in the therapeutic relationship; but they do involve a different “positioning” of the therapist in relation to the client. The “empathic” therapist “decenters” from her own experience and “takes on” the client’s experience but only “as if” it were her own – because it never actually “becomes” her own. In contradistinction to this is the “authentic” therapist, who “remains centered” within her own experience and “takes on” the client’s experience “as” her own. I will be presenting a clinical case that involves my “empathic attunement” to the client’s gut-wrenching “guilt” about having been responsible for the tragic death of her young friend (decades earlier). Dr. Melvyn Segal This seminar begins with an interview where Dr. Melvyn Segal reflects on the evolving field of psychotherapy, shares key moments from his career, & discusses insights he believes will help early-career clinicians build a strong foundation for their practice. This is followed by a lecture on shaping professional identity, covering the transition from student to psychotherapist, its impact on the therapeutic relationship, & practical applications for clinical work. A case presentation and discussion will illustrate common challenges in this transition and strategies for managing them. The seminar concludes with an open Q&A, allowing participants to engage with Dr. Segal and reflect on the material. Dr. Shari Geller In this interview and presentation, an empirically validated model of therapeutic presence will be introduced as a map to build and strengthen the skills of presence with clients and how to create safety using neurophysiological principles based on concepts such as co-regulation and neuroception of safety stemming from Polyvagal Theory (Geller &; Porges, 2014). Evidenced based practices from Dr. Geller’s books, A Practical Guide for Cultivating Therapeutic Presence’ (2017) and ‘Therapeutic Presence: A Mindful Approach to Effective Therapeutic Relationships’ 2nd Edition (2022) co-authored with Leslie Greenberg, including mindfulness, self-compassion, and experiential practices will be introduced. We will also discuss challenges to TP and how to stay open and engaged when working with challenging clients and working through therapeutic ruptures. Experiential practices for cultivating presence during therapy and in life will be introduced. Dr. Richard Harrison In this lecture, Dr. Richard Harrison explores the evolving field of psychotherapy and the therapist’s use of self in the therapeutic relationship. The session begins with an interview, where Dr. Harrison reflects on key experiences from his career, discussing formative moments & sharing perspectives that can support early-career clinicians. The lecture then examines into the role of self-disclosure and authenticity in therapy, exploring how these elements contribute to both effective clinical work and therapist sustainability. Special attention is given to the prevention of vicarious traumatization and practical considerations for integrating the therapist’s self into practice. A case presentation further illustrates these concepts, demonstrating how intentional use of self can enhance both therapist well-being and the therapeutic alliance. The session concludes with an open discussion, providing participants the opportunity to ask questions and share reflections. Dr. Paul Wachtel The seminar begins with an interview where Dr. Wachtel shares insights into the evolving field of psychotherapy, discusses pivotal career moments, and offers advice for early-career clinicians. Dr Wachtel will explore the challenges & opportunities in integrating the best elements from different therapeutic orientations. It examines common obstacles, such as misunderstandings about what it means to be evidence-based & the difficulty of bridging different theoretical vocabularies. Key points of convergence will be highlighted, including how psychodynamic interpretation can align with behavioural exposure and how acceptance plays a vital role across humanistic, cognitive-behavioural, and psychodynamic therapies. The discussion will also address the importance of considering context in therapy and how systemic, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, and humanistic approaches all contribute to this understanding. Finally, the talk will introduce cyclical psychodynamics, shedding light on how interpersonal dynamics reinforce psychological struggles.