Innovations in Practice: Using Solution-Focused and Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques and Interventions to Transform Clients’ Money Behaviors and Overall-wellbeing

  • Cost is $100 early bird and $125 after the early bird period is over, 9/30/16, and is managed by AFCPE. 
  • Beverages provided; lunch is on your own
  • The program offers six (6) hours of content

The session is designed to provide innovative solutions to increase financial and mental health professionals’ effectiveness in the following domains of practice: (1) developing a strong working alliance with clients, (2) applying theoretical models of Solution Focused (SFT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy interventions and personal finance strategies to help clients reduce maladaptive behaviors contributing to financial stress, and (3) increasing the financial and overall well-being of individuals and couples. 

  •  Why Mental Health Professionals should attend: According to the most recent survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (2014), money is the top stressor among Americans. However, the intersection between money and personal and family stress is often ignored. Research has indicated that money stress is linked to anxiety, depressive symptoms, and couple relationship problems. This workshop will focus on applying the therapeutic models of Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to change clients’ maladaptive behaviors in order to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms as it relates to money, as well as to improve their financial and overall wellbeing. This introduction of SFT and CBT interventions is designed to innovatively address financial decisions and behaviors in a clinical setting, and is expected to benefit practitioners regardless of expertise level.

  • Why Financial Professionals should attend: Financial planners, counselors, and educators understand that individuals’ financial beliefs, thoughts, and behaviors are integral the success of their overall financial plan. This session provides financial professionals with therapeutic tools, techniques, and strategies based in the theoretical models of Solution Focused (SFT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which have been empirically validated across numerous studies. The introduction of theoretically based, innovative interventions designed to address financial decisions and behaviors is expected to benefit practitioners regardless of expertise level. These models for working with clients are collaborative, action-oriented, and goal-focused – and integrated within the 6-step financial planning process utilized by many planning professionals. 
  • CEUs:
    • AFC® - Six (6) hours of AFC® credit have been approved for this program. 
    • CFP® - Six (6) hours of CFP® credit have been awarded for this program. No partial credit is available; you will need to attend the full program to receive credit. 
    • Mental Health Credits - Six (6) hours of credit have been approved for LMFT, LMHC, and LCSW credits through the Florida Board. 
  • Who Should Attend: This program is designed for experienced practitioners in both of the following fields of practice and in academia:
    • Mental Health Professionals, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Psychologists
    • Financial Professionals such as AFCs®, CFPs®, Financial Advisors, Financial Planners, Financial Counselors, Financial Coaches, etc. 
  • Levels: This session is best suited for experienced, graduate degreed attendees, but those who are working on advanced degrees or who are at the earlier stages of their practice and experience will also benefit.
  • Learning Objectives

    • At the end of this education program, mental health clinicians will be able to: (1) Explain how money can impact family and couple relationships, stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms; (2) Describe Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) principles, assumptions, and interventions; (3) Describe Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles, assumptions and interventions; (4) Summarize how SFT principles, assumptions, and interventions can be applied to clients who present to therapy with stress and anxiety related to money; and (5) Summarize how SFT principles, assumptions, and interventions can be applied to clients who present to therapy with stress and anxiety related to money.

    • At the end of this education program, financial professionals will be able to: (1) Explain how applications of counseling theory to financial planning practice can benefit clients; (2) Select appropriate counseling and communication techniques for use with individual clients; (3) Strengthen the working alliance; and (4) Implement interventions to improve financial thinking and behaviors.

About the Presenters 

Kristy L. Archuleta,
PhD, LMFT

Read Biosketch Here

Joseph Goetz,
PhD, CRC®, AFC®

Read Biosketch Here

Lance Palmer,
PhD, CFP®

Read Biosketch Here
 

Topical Outline 

  1. Introduction to financial therapy for financial and mental health professionals
    1. How money impacts individuals, couples, and families
    2. Models of practice
  2. Importance of working alliance
  3. Overview of CBT principles
  4. Applications of CBT to money-related issues 
  5. Overview of SFT assumptions and principles
  6. Applications of SFT to money-related issues 

Reference List

  • De Shazer, S., & Dolan, Y. (2012). More than miracles: The state of the art of solution-focused brief therapy. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press, Inc.
  • Goetz, J., & Gale, J. (2014). Financial therapy: De-biasing and client behaviors. In H. K. Baker & V. Ricciardi (Eds.), Investment Behavior: The Psychology of Financial Planning and Investing (pp. 227-244). Wiley.
  • O’Hanlon, W. H., & Weiner-Davis, M. (1989). In search of solutions: A new direction in psychotherapy. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
  • Klontz, B. T. Klontz, Britt, S. L., & Archuleta, K. L. (Eds.). (2015). Financial therapy: Theory, research, & practice. New York: Springer.
  • Archuleta, K. L., Burr, E. A.; Bell Carlson, M., Ingram, J., Irwin Kruger, L. Grable, J. E., & Ford, M. (2015). Solution focused financial therapy: A brief report of a pilot study. Journal of Financial Therapy, 6(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.4148/1944-9771.1081

 CFP® Objectives

  • B.15. Principles of communication and counseling

    a. Explain the applications of counseling theory to financial planning practice.

    b. Demonstrate how a planner can develop a relationship of honesty and trust in client interaction.

    c. Assess the components of communications including linguistic signs and non-verbal communications.

    d. Apply active listening skills when communicating with clients.

    e. Select appropriate counseling and communication techniques for use with individual clients. 

Mental Health Objectives

Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship

  • Psychophysiological awareness and mindfulness in the counseling process.

Human Growth and Development

  • Information related to developmental crises; disabilities; and, situational, transitional, and environmental factors that affect behavior.

Social and Cultural Foundations

  • Social or cultural issues affecting individuals couples and families
  • Major societal concerns including violence, poverty, stress, person abuse, substance abuse, religious/spiritual issues, discrimination
  • Methods for alleviating such concerns

Group Dynamics, Processing and Counseling

  • Group development, dynamic and counseling theories
  • Basic and advanced group counseling methods and skills

Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issues

  • Professional organizations and associations
  • The counselor as a professional consultant