Jogo Behaviour Support Conference 2025 Brochure - Flipbook - Page 16
Saturday Conference Afternoon Workshops
Workshop A
8White Lady Therapy9 3 an invitation to deepen and
diversify congruence in our therapeutic practice.
Presented by: Ruth Lazarus
Workshop Synopsis:
This workshop revisits one of the core competencies in therapeutic practice,
congruence.
Together, we will explore our understanding of congruence and what it means to
deepen this in our work. What and who do we bring into the therapy room and how do
these parts of us 8meet9 our clients? We will consider how, in deepening our
congruence, we also diversify ourselves as therapists, reflecting more of our authentic,
human selves. In conjunction, we will touch on some fundamental principles of antioppressive practice, such as the intersectionality of our identities, the distribution of
power in the therapeutic relationship (and wider society) and the biases and
assumptions therapists and therapeutic trainings can hold. We will aim to review some
assumptions in traditional psychodynamic approaches and explore how we can show
up in a more integrated and human way for our clients, in hope they can feel safe
enough to bring all parts of themselves to us.
Key Learning Objectives:
•
•
•
•
•
To review our theoretical understanding of 8congruence9, as a core therapeutic
skill.
Expand our awareness of how the complexity of our intersectional 8identities9
can show up in the therapy room.
To review our use of congruence in practice and consider ways of deepening a
connection between the 8professional9 and 8personal9 parts of ourselves.
Gain an overview of the key aspects underpinning anti-oppressive practice and
consider how this impact the therapeutic relationship and space.
Identify some practical ways we can show up differently for children, young
people and their families so we can welcome all parts of their experience into
the therapeutic process.
Biography:
Ruth Lazarus
Ruth (she/her) is a Mancunian who followed her heart to live by the sea, in Brighton.
Ruth is of Jewish European decent and is a Mother of two dual heritage children. Ruth
celebrates the blend of racial, cultural and religious backgrounds in her own family and
hopes to offer a space which can recognise, celebrate and value the beautiful diversity
in her clients, taking into consideration all aspects of their intersectional identities.
Page 16 of 26
