Ruth Birkebaek
Ruth Birkebaek started her career in Brazil in 1989 as a Plastic Surgeon. After graduating from medical school she became interested on the impact of the mind on the development of physical illness, and did trainings in Psychosomatic Medicine and Jung Therapy followed by a 4-year training in Transactional Analysis. In 2003 she moved to the UK and started a 5-year training in Integrative Psychotherapy with Richard Erskine. Ruth works full time as a psychotherapist and supervisor in private practice in London, and delivers training and workshops internationally.
Ruth is a UKCP registered Psychotherapist, a Certified Integrative Psychotherapy Trainer & Supervisor (CIIPTS) by the IIPA (International Integrative Psychotherapy Association) and a Certified Transactional Analyst – Provisional Trainer & Supervisor (PTSTA).
A Round Table Discussion with Richard Erskine about Empowerment, Empathy and Agency
"Empathy is the foundation of a relationally focussed psychotherapy; a psychotherapy that emphasize attunement to our clients' affect, cognitive processes, level of the developmental functioning, and relational needs. When we psychotherapist focus on our clients' need for self definition we empower them to be who they are. When we invite or clients to make an impact on us and others, we facilitate their sense of agency. In this Roundtable 5 prominent psychotherapist will engage in a lively discussion about how they use empathy to facilitate their clients' sense of agency and empowerment.
Dr. Richard G. Erskine is a certified Clinical Transactional Analyst and a Licensed Psychoanalyst. Originally trained in Client-Centered therapy with Robert Neville, associate of Carl Rogers, Richard also studied Gestalt therapy with both Fritz and Laura Perls. Richard has published published a dozen books and numerous articles on the theory and methods of psychotherapy. On three occasions he has been awarded the prestigious the Eric Berne Award for the advancement and refinement of Transactional Analysis Theory.
Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity - normalising choices and differences in therapy
Sally Openshaw
Sally Openshaw is an integrative psychotherapist, trainer and supervisor. She is a member of COSRT, UKCP and is the current President of IIPA. She will bring to this conference her specialist interest in sexuality diversity in her keynote speech and ways to work safely with erotic transference and countertransference in her workshop. Sally balances the demands of her professional working life with a weekly dose of grandchildren and gardening and a health growing in her veg patch.