Course Details

The article "Courting Psychotherapy Success: The Defense Attorney Technique" by Joseph A. Goldfield explores a unique therapeutic approach that employs elements of a legal trial to help clients challenge and refute irrational thoughts. This technique draws on Goldfield's own experience in a law course during graduate school, where he learned to argue both sides of an issue convincingly. By likening automatic, negative thoughts to prosecution arguments and equipping clients to build a defense case against these thoughts, the technique aims to instill a sense of reasonable doubt. The method involves steps such as outlining prosecution narratives and defense rebuttals on paper, using guided imagery to create a defense team, and practicing this process regularly to reinforce positive cognitive patterns. The article includes examples of applying this technique to cases of social anxiety, body dysmorphia, and dysthymia, demonstrating its effectiveness in helping clients achieve emotional regulation and cognitive restructuring.

  • Understand the recursive interaction between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in maintaining psychological disorders.

  • Identify the key components and principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and related therapeutic approaches.

  • Learn the structure and steps involved in the Defense Attorney Technique for challenging automatic negative thoughts.

  • Apply the Defense Attorney Technique to various case scenarios, such as social anxiety, body dysmorphia, and dysthymia.

  • Recognize the importance of creating reasonable doubt in irrational thoughts to facilitate cognitive restructuring.

  • Develop skills to independently initiate and practice the Defense Attorney Technique to manage distressing emotions and maladaptive behaviors.

Course curriculum

    1. Courting Psychotherapy Success: The Defense Attorney Technique

    2. Defense Attorney Quiz

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