
Constructive & Deconstructive Language in Couples Therapy
"When You Wish Upon a Star"
Christine A. Padesky, PhD
2 Audio CDs • Three hour clinical workshop
© Copyright Center for Cognitive Therapy / www.padesky.com
This audio program was edited in 2006 and is consistent with current CBT standards of treatment.
At each moment in therapy, we can choose to help couples deconstruct their
problems or we can help them to construct new possibilities. Goals and therapy
processes evolve differently depending on our focus. While each approach has
benefits, a live role-play demonstration shows the added advantages of using
constructive language, especially with a couple who sees change as hopeless.
Disc 1 of 2: DECONSTRUCTIVE LANGUAGE
1. Dreams
2. Language
3. Underlying Assumptions
4. Stages of Therapy
5. Role Play: Deconstructive Language
6. Role Play: UAs That Maintain
7. Role Play: Benefits vs. Costs
8. Role Play: Summary / Debrief
9. Questions & Answers
Disc 2 of 2: CONSTRUCTIVE LANGUAGE
1. Therapist Stance
2. Role Play: Constructive Language
3. Role Play: Expand the Dream
4. Role Play: New UAs
5. Role Play: Try an Experiment
6. Debriefing
7. Discussion of Constructive Phase