E•S•B•A Module

A specific therapeutic technique of internalized other interviewing has been elaborated by Dr Tomm during the past several years.

It is based on a social constructionist perspective in which “a person” as a self conscious individual is seen to arise through social interaction. If a consultant is able to apply this perspective and conceive of “the self” as constituted by an internalized community, it becomes coherent to interview another person as an “internalized other” within the self. As a result, the possibilities for systemic intervention for personal change may be significantly extended.

This presentation will begin with an overview of the theoretical and practical aspects of internalized other interviewing. Parts of a videotape of an actual clinical interview will be used to demonstrate the method with a mother, whose symptomatic daughter refused to attend a family therapy session. It illustrates how an interpersonal systemic approach may be used in therapy with individuals and have beneficial effects for the individual, her relationships and significant others. The application of this technique in conjoint work with couples and families, where individuals may meet their “distributed self”, will also be described.

Alternative Ethical Postures that a Change Agent May Adopt

Professionals are usually expected to influence individual clients, family systems, or organizations to facilitate constructive change. The specific approach adopted by a professional to have such an influence can have different effects on the other party and on the relationship between the professional and that party. Dr Tomm has developed a framework of four contrasting ethical postures that support different patterns of decision making by professionals in selecting interventions to try to influence others.

This framework will be presented and discussed along with some means one could use to guide one’s own professional development to work more consistently from a preferred ethical stance. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own patterns of intervening in their work and become more aware of alternative options available to them.