4-Session Audio Training

To Buy or Not to Buy:

Theory and Treatment of Compulsive Buying

Taught by April Lane Benson, Ph.D.

A 4-session audio course  for mental health professionals with readings, audiotapes, and a live consultation call with Dr. Benson.

[sc_embed_player fileurl=”http://www.shopaholicnomore.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/good_teaser.mp3″]   Listen to an excerpt from the first class!

Educational Objectives:  Through both the audio course and readings, you learn what compulsive buying is, how our culture supports it, what forms the disorder takes, how to assess and diagnose it, and what its various functions are. Additionally, you learn how to determine when intervention is necessary and what forms of effective treatment and treatment adjuncts are available, whether or not you personally choose to do the focused, structured work so necessary for recovery from this problem. You’ll be introduced to a variety of important tools, techniques, and strategies for working with compulsive buyers and learn how to integrate them into ongoing treatment. Finally, we’ll deconstruct the shopping process and untie the knot that binds shopping and buying so tightly together so that you can help overshoppers find out what they’re really shopping for and how to get that.

[expand title=”Session 1 – Affluenza: Introduction to Compulsive Buying Disorder“]  We explore what compulsive buying is, how it differs from normal buying, and how living in a culture of consumption affects it. We’ll look at how prevalent it is, how to diagnose it and how it evolves. We look at who becomes a compulsive buyer, at the question of gender, and at whether it’s best seen as a psychiatric disorder or a search for a better self. We also survey the variety of functions that it serves in the life of the compulsive buyer and touch on what’s often our professional unease when working with compulsive buying clients so that we can be aware of our own blindspots and biases and thus become more comfortable and competent as therapists.[/expand]

 

[expand title=”Session 2 –What Works and Why: Forms of Treatment and Treatment Adjuncts“]  We explore the various forms of treatment and treatment adjuncts that are currently being used with compulsive buyers, which will give you direction when trying to formulate a treatment plan. We review some of the treatment research and then focus on particular tools, skills, and strategies that are known to help people with compulsive buying disorder. And finally we look at the issue of how, when, and whether to integrate specific compulsive buying interventions into ongoing psychotherapy.[/expand]

 

[expand title=”Session 3 –The Birdseye View: Theoretical and Technical Perspectives“]  Begins with the idea that compulsive shopping is but one form of a larger constellation of behaviors that have in common an intense desire to acquire, possess, or hoard objects. We touch on some of these related behaviors and explore what often leads counselors and therapists to underinquire about someone’s shopping and buying behavior. We explore two very different approaches to working with overshopping clients and discuss how to help clients feel motivated to do the serious work that lies ahead.[/expand]

 

[expand title=”Session 4 –What is Shopping? What Are We Really Shopping For?“]  We explore shopping as search and discovery, not necessarily related to buying or having. We stretch out the landscape of shopping beyond goods and services, into experiences and ideas and look at research that suggests that if money isn’t making us happy, then we’re probably not spending it right. For example, when we choose to spend money on experiences over things, we’re significantly happier. We close by revisiting the idea that authentic underlying needs propel shopping impulses and discuss how to help clients tease out what they’re really shopping for and find ways to meet those needs that enhance, rather than erode life.[/expand]

“I found Dr Benson’s 4-session audio course to be an excellent overview of compulsive buying disorder. It was very interesting to learn about the determinants for this behaviour in addition to gaining knowledge and practical skills in assessment and  treatment options. Since doing this course,  I have set up my own private practice, specialising in the treatment of problematic shopping/ spending behaviour and regularly consult with Dr Benson who I have found to be extremely passionate about the work she does. I have benefited greatly from her expertise and generosity”.

–Michelle Laving, Registered Counsellor, Sydney, Australia.

 

If you’re interested in why I think this training is a good idea,  I’ve prepared a short video. Take a look and have a listen here. 

 

 

Take the course on your own time, in your own space, and listen as often as you like.

Course Fee: $250

[sc_embed_player fileurl=”http://www.shopaholicnomore.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/good_teaser.mp3″]  Click here to listen to a sneak peak of what you will learn in this course.