Kjell Rudestam: Constructivism, modern physics, & psychotherapy

In this conversation, we explore constructivism, modern physics, and the conceptualization and process of psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can be viewed as a “destabilizing dance” between a therapy and patient who are part of an unstable interactional system. It seems to operate within a constructed world of “meaning making” and focuses on “stories” or “attributes” of “things” rather than “things” from a Newtonian or medical model perspective. Constructivism, as a meta-theory, as well as 20th century physics, have significant implications for how to define problems, conceptualize psychotherapy, and intervene with clients who experience the limitations of their own models of reality. Kjell Erik Rudestam is a teacher, researcher, consultant, and practicing clinical psychologist. After graduating from the University of Oregon with a Ph.D. in psychology he served as an Associate Professor at Miami of Ohio and a Professor of Psychology at York University in Toronto. Currently he is on the faculty of Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, where he has also served as Associate Dean and Director of Clinical Training. Kjell is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (Division 12) and a Diplomate of the American Board of Examiners in Psychology (Clinical) and holds an Honorary Doctorate of Science. He is the author of nine academic texts and numerous journal articles on psychotherapy and the process of change, group and family therapy, crisis and suicide, and research methodology. Most recent publications are Your Statistical Consultant (2014, 2nd ed.) and Surviving Your Dissertation (2015, 4th ed.), co-authored by Rae Newton. Published May 2016