Tim LeBon's October Newsletter - Positive Psychology course, Which ancient philosopher is your guru ? & new CBT for Therapists blog

Here is your October Personal Development through Philosophy and Psychology Newsletter.

Feel free to forward this to any friend or colleague you think might be interested.

To enquire about psychotherapy, counselling, supervision or coaching consulations e-mail me at : tim@timlebon.com

Have a  really great October.

Tim

http://www.timlebon.com
Book: Wise Therapy

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Positive Psychology course - starting at City Uni on Thursday evening, October 8th

This Thursday evening we start another exploration of the exciting new subject of Positive Psychology and it would be great to have you join us.
The course is much more than  a survey of the subject, it's an interactive experience of positive psychology. Last year it resulted in  a significant
increase in the happiness of most participants. How do I know that? Because students did questionnaires at the beginning and end of the course.
Moreover, this wasn't boosting happiness by osmosis - as part of the course students carry out many of the most effective interventions that have
been found to boost happiness.
We'll also have lively discussions, videos and student presentations. No previous experience of
psychology required.

To sign up, visit
http://www.city.ac.uk/cae/cfa/business/coaching_business_skills/positive_psychology.html

or call 020 7040 8865 between 9.30am and 5.00pm quoting course ref  CE1941

Course Code:	CE1941
Start date(s):	Thursday 8 October 2009
Class Time:	6.30pm – 8.30pm
Number of Classes:	10 weekly classes
Course Fee:	£300.00

Here is the course blurb:-

Understanding psychology can improve your well-being and success, both at work and in your personal life. Positive psychology is the growing branch of psychology that focuses on the positive, including strengths, positive states and happiness. This course will have a particular emphasis on applying positive psychology in your personal and working life.

Topics studied will include:

• Happiness
• Goals and meaning
• Strengths
• Flow
• Hope, luck and optimism
• Emotional intelligence and resilience
• Mindfulness and meditation
• Positive relationships and empathy
• Wisdom and decision-making

Read more about positive psychology

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Which ancient philosopher is your guru?

The prolific writer Mark Vernon has produced a short on-line quiz to help you discover your ancient philosophy guru.


You will be asked questions like

Do you think it's more useful to think about how to be happy or how to cope with suffering?

and

Do you prefer pondering big issues or practical matters?

I wasn't sure  how to answer the question about the relative importance happiness or suffering, but when I plumped for happiness my ancient guru turned out to be Epicurus, which was uncannily accurate. I do have a lot of sympathy for Epicurus's values of friendship, philosophising, reason and happiness.

When I took the test again and answered "suffering" to the first question my guru turned out to be the Stoic Zeno, which again was pretty much on the money.

Just for fun, I also tried answering questions to reflect  the opposite of my real views, and my anti-guru turned out to be the sceptic Pyrrho. So I  now know not to read more about him ....

Vernon's quiz isn't meant to be taken too seriously.  I'd  be uncomfortable thinking of Epicurus or Zeno as my guru, and would  turn just as happily to  Aristotle, Plato or Socrates if looking for  wisdom. But the quiz is good fun and could well give the reader some good ideas about which philosophers to turn to next .To read about a variety of ancient gurus, you could alwasys turn to Vernon's new book, Plato's Podcasts.

To take the quiz, go to http://www.markvernon.com/quiz/my-philosophy-guru/

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New CBT For Therapists Blog

I've just started writing a new blog which may interest you if you are a therapist or counsellor interested in elarning more about CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy),

The first article is called Giving a rationale for CBT

Some clients (or patients) may come to CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) knowing exactly what CBT is and how it will benefit them. However the majority probably won't - they may be ambivalent about the therapy and start with misconceptions about CBT.

If they understand the potential of CBT for them it will not only increase their motivation but also give them a better opportunity to engage fully in the collaborative CBT process. So it's a good idea to provide a rationale for CBT, and explain how it works, early on in the first session.

So how best to do this?

Here are some alternative ways to present CBT to the client in the first session
1) Give a handout on CBT for the client to read after the session
2) Explain the CBT rationale in session using short case vignettes and a diagram
3) Use similes and metaphors to tell the client what CBT is like.
4) Use a "naturally occuring moment" to link the client's own situation to how CBT can help them.

Read more

http://cbtfortherapists.blogspot.com/

Note: my low cost CBT scheme is now full, but please do contact me if interested in being added to  the waiting list

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To enquire about psychotherapy, counselling, supervision or coaching consulations e-mail me at : tim@timlebon.com

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