Charles Dickens Anticipates Psychotherapy in A Christmas Carol (December 05, 2026)

Sat, 05 Dec 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Charles Dickens Anticipates Psychotherapy in A Christmas Carol

Note: This is an IN-PERSON, ISCSW MEMBERS only event. It is essential that participants show up on time, as this is a group experience. We will nto be able to admit anyone who is late.

Facilitated by Charles Pohl, LCSW, CGP

In this two-hour experiential setting, members will be asked to visit their own personal ghosts of Christmas(*); past, present, and future and share their reflections with other members of the group. In order for attendees to optimize the experience, it is recommended that they either read A Christmas Carol or watch a suitable rendition in a movie format to freshen the associations to the material.

This year, BSU’s theater arts department is performing it as a play. This year comes with a unique twist in that some ‘modern analytic’ interventions will be employed.

The experiential session will be followed by 30 minutes of didactic discussion.

*The term “Christmas” is used to denote the traditional term for a day and a season without religious connotations intended . Charles Dickens uses neither the words 'God" nor 'Jesus' throughout the book. However, it certainly lends itself to that for those who are so inclined.

Outline

10:00 Introduction of Speaker

10:05 Parallels of A Christmas Carol to psychotherapy

10:15 Stage I: Ghosts of Christmas Present

10:40 Stage II: Ghosts of Christmas Past

11:05 Stage III: Ghosts of Christmas Future

11:30: Debriefing and Introduction of Group Theory

11:55: Evaluations

Group size will be limited to 20 attendees. Attendees must register by DATE to participate and be awarded CEUs.

In order for attendees to optimize the experience, it is recommended that they either read A Christmas Carol or watch a suitable rendition in a movie format to freshen the associations to the material. George C. Scott’s version is highly recommended yet The Muppets Christmas Carol will do.

Objectives: At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

Describe the general premises of psychodynamic psychotherapy.
List and describe the stages of group development.
Describe how their own life events have helped shape our characters and influenced the development of clinical practices.
List and describe the facilitator interventions and missteps that affect participation

Special thanks to the Boise State University School of Social Work for co-sponsoring this training!

Idaho Society for Clinical Social Work upcoming events

Charles Dickens Anticipates Psychotherapy in A Christmas Carol (December 05, 2026)