The Client's Theory of Change: Consulting the Client in the Integrative Process

2 CE Hours
551 members have taken this course
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About the Course

This article casts a critical eye upon the integration literature and asserts that, like psychotherapy, the client has been woefully left out of the therapeutic process. An alternative that privileges the client's voice as the source of wisdom and solution is presented. It is proposed that conducting therapy within the context of the client's own theory of change offers ways of integrating multiple therapy perspectives. An argument is made for not only recasting the client as the star of the drama of therapy, but also giving the heroic client directorial control of the action as it unfolds.

This course is based on the reading online article, The Client's Theory of Change: Consulting the Client in the Integrative Process created by Barry L. Duncan, Psy.D. et al in 2000.

Publication Details

Publication Date: 2000

Course Material Authors

Course Material Authors authored the material only, and were not involved in creating this CE course. They are identified here for your own evaluation of the relevancy of the material this course is based on.

Barry L. Duncan, Psy.D.

Dr. Duncan is a therapist, trainer, and researcher with over 17,000 hours of clinical experience. He is co Director of the Institute for the Study of Therapeutic Change (ISTC) and practices in Boca Raton, Florida. Dr. Duncan has received numerous awards for his contributions to the mental health field, including the Wright State University School of Professional Psychology's first annual "Outstanding Alumnus Award," the Menninger Foundation's 15th Annual Award for Scientific Writing for the book The Heart and Soul of Change, and the Psychotherapy Networker "20th Anniversary All Time Top Ten Award" for the article "Exposing the Mythmakers," recognizing it as one of the most influential features in the magazine's history. Barry has over one hundred publications, including thirteen books.

Scott D. Miller, Ph.D.

Dr. Miller is a therapist, lecturer and trainer on client-directed, outcome-informed clinical work and other time-sensitive therapeutic approaches. For three years, he co-directed Problems to Solutions, Inc.–a clinic specializing in the treatment of the homeless and other traditionally under served populations. Most recently, Dr. Miller co-founded the Institute for the Study of Therapeutic Change and works pro-bono at a clinic dedicated to serving the under served. He is the author of many papers and seven books.

Course Creator

Keith Gibson, Ph.D.

Target Audience

This advanced course is recommended for social workers, counselors, psychologists, and other human services and behavioral health professionals who seek knowledge about the client and the therapeutic change process.

Learning Objectives

After taking this activity, you should be able to:

  1. 1 identify practical guidelines for learning the client's theory of change.
  2. 2 identify evidence that the client's theory of change is essential to psychotherapy outcome.
  3. 3 describe some of the ways that the client has been left out of the therapeutic process and the psychotherapy integration movement.

Disclosure to Learners

CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity – including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and the reviewer:

Planners and Reviewers

The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

Material Authors

Any relevant financial disclosures for course material authors can be found in the article.

Course Creator

Keith Gibson, Ph.D. – There are no known relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial support

There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.

Use our CE Approvals tool to look up your state requirements and how can help you meet them, or log in to your member account to show approvals relevant to your licensure.

Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling (FL CSW, MFT, MHC)

2 CE credit hours
Eligible until Mar 27th, 2027
Impact CE, a service of CE Learning Systems, is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling (Provider # 50-315).
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Florida Board of Psychology

2 CE credit hours
Eligible until Mar 31st, 2031
Impact CE, a service of CE Learning Systems, is approved by the Florida Board of Psychology (Provider # 50-315).
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New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)

2 CE credit hours

CASAC, CPS

Renewal: Yes

CPP

Section: Section 4
Renewal: Yes
Initial: Yes
Eligible until Feb 27th, 2028
More Info

Article: The Client's Theory of Change: Consulting the Client in the Integrative Process

Article: The Client's Theory of Change: Consulting the Client in the Integrative Process

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