Mental health professionals and ministry leaders frequently face value-based conflicts, particularly when navigating the tension between values of distinction—those that define personal identity—and values of connection—those that promote empathy and rapport with others. These conflicts often arise in situations where clients’ actions, beliefs, or identities diverge from the clinician’s own sense of what is right, good, or true. Addressing these differences requires clinicians to prioritize one set of values over another or, in some cases, reevaluate their own values. This workshop examines how psychologists, licensed mental health professionals and ministry leaders can navigate this tension through self-differentiation, worldview conflicts, and spiritual formation, emphasizing the potential for professional and personal growth that can emerge from such challenges. By exploring these complex dynamics, participants will develop greater self-awareness and practical strategies for managing value-based conflicts in the therapeutic process.
312 | Defining Self While Staying Connected: Self-Differentiation, Spiritual Formation and Managing Value-Based Conflicts
PRESENTERS
Bill Buker, Ph.D.
CE CREDITS
1.25
Approved For CE
APA, ASWB, NBCC, NAADAC, IBCC, Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
Approved For CME/CEU
LEVEL
Advanced
Summary
Learning Objectives
1 Differentiate between the values of distinction and the values of connection.
2 Describe how conflict between values of distinction and the values of connection can be managed.
3 Discuss the challenge of managing conflicts between the values of distinction and the values of connection can lend itself to a formative process.