November 2019 

Austin AMFT  Luncheon

November 2019   

AUSTIN AMFT  LUNCHEON

TOPIC

Money in Therapy:

What We Aren’t Talking About

Presenters

John Cooper, MA, LPC, CGP

and

Kristen Wicke, MA, LPC, CPA

Presentation Summary

Americans have the highest rates of debt and lowest savings rates in history.  Money is the number one source of stress in the lives of Americans. Researchers have also found that money is one of the topmost frequently argued topics among couples, and the number one reason for divorce in the early years of marriage.  Yet, money continues to be one of the least explored topics in therapy.  In this interactive presentation, we will introduce the concept of money scripts as a vehicle for talking with clients about their relationship with money.  We will assist you in identifying your own money scripts and provide you with a theoretical framework for categorizing distorted money beliefs.  The program will conclude with a discussion around sample interventions useful for approaching the topic of money with your clients.

Learning Objectives

• Describe disordered and problematic money behaviors formed by early childhood experiences.
  
• Identify a theoretical framework for classifying money beliefs.
  
• Identify personal disordered and problematic money behaviors in themselves that may interfere in the therapeutic relationship.
  
• Identify methods of incorporating an exploration of money into client treatment.
  

Biographies

John Cooper holds a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Texas State University in San Marcos, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Texas at Austin.  He currently runs a successful private practice in Austin, working with individuals and groups to support clients in reaching their maximum potential in work and relationships.  His professional areas of clinical interest include recovery from trauma, managing addictions, coping with effects of religious trauma, LGBTQ issues, and healthy relationship growth and development, as well as financial health and well-being.

Kristen Wicke became a certified public accountant in 1997 and has 20 years of experience in the financial services sector both as an auditor and advisor on the boards of local charities.  Kristen served as an audit partner at Maxwell, Locke & Ritter where she was immersed in the details of business management including marketing, financial administration, strategic planning, and client service.  Since beginning her transition to becoming a psychotherapist in 2012, Kristen has retained her passion for financial health and growth for herself and her clients.

John and Kristen currently co-lead an ongoing series of workshops focused on enabling therapists to improve the long-term financial health of their careers from the formation of private practice to the development of retirement resources.  They are particularly interested in supporting clients and therapists in managing money in a way that maximizes opportunities for growth and enrichment in the course of their life journeys.

This presentation is designed to be useful for all levels of training and experience.