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Join therapist, actor and hypnosis trainer Joe Kao in this new five part online workshop and learn the powerful art of transformational questioning.
The right question, at the right time, can completely transform the way a client thinks of their problem.
The entire issue may even dissolve in that moment, where the client says, "It's like there isn't a problem anymore!".
But how can you develop the skills to do this reliably, consistently and artfully?
Socratic questioning is about reconnecting with the core principles of what make questions so powerful and transformational.
The Ancient Greek philosopher Socrates didn't walk around Athens thinking he had all the answers, or that he was going to "sleight of mouth" everyone into agreeing with him.
He would explore a topic humbly and conversationally, carefully unpacking what another person believed or assumed about a particular subject, and inviting them to reflect on whether their assumptions actually made sense.
Invaluable insights and epiphanies would emerge from those conversations, as people gradually became less rigid, less self-certain, and more curious and open-minded about the world around them.
This way of questioning is equally useful in our lives today.
In this five week online training, we'll be exploring:
• How to externalise a thought, so that a client can observe it dispassionately
• The benefits of representing a client's thinking back to them
• The assumptions and "game rules" behind common emotional problems like anxiety, anger and guilt
• The magic of exception questions
• How to do thought experiments that break down a client's generalisation
• The value of creating impactful, sensory rich examples
• Going beyond the everyday - being willing to be provocative, outlandish and surreal
Socratic questioning gives you a way to break free of rigidity, to become much more flexible in your thinking, and to help others do the same.
Some systems of coaching teach rigid, formulaic approaches to questioning clients, which inevitably feel clunky and artificial.
Other approaches are so filled with techno-jargon that it's almost impossible to implement the principles in real life.
Socratic questioning is different. It isn't about knowing better than the client, or "unconsciously installing ideas" in them.
Socratic questioning is about gently, artfully helping people to recognise for themselves where their assumptions or expectations aren't useful for them.
It's about helping the client's own "psychological immune system" to identify where an idea no longer serves them.
This in turn allows change to happen much more easily, because people suddenly become willing to get out of their own way, and to get on with doing what's useful for them.
We're calling this The Changework Dojo because this is a training about doing.
It’s about getting the skills into your muscle memory, so that that Socratic Questioning becomes second nature to you.
Instead of focusing on endless concepts and pieces of jargon, this training is about practising and refining your core questioning skills so that you can make problems dissolve and open brand new possibilities in people’s minds.
Joe Kao DHypPsych(UK) is a hypnotherapist and psychotherapist in Cambridge, UK. He is the head writer for hypnosisdownloads.com, one of the world's largest and most highly-regarded websites for hypnosis recordings, and he has taught numerous workshops on therapeutic metaphors, storytelling and Ericksonian hypnosis to people around the world.
Joe has been named the first official trainer of Provocative Change Works, and he has trained extensively in improv theatre, voice work and performance skills.
"I have had the pleasure of taking Therapeutic Improvisations with Joe Kao. It was easily the most fun I have had at a workshop and one of the most personally beneficial.
I not only had a great time practicing in the breakout rooms provided; but I also brought the exercises into my personal life and have had a great time practicing with my loved ones.
I think people who are looking to add something to their work will benefit greatly from this workshop. Joe’s generous teaching style alone will make it worth your time".
Ron Gonsalves, Boston, MA. USA
"I found the improv and therapy course extremely enjoyable and I learned so much. There was a fascinating blend of theory, explanation from Joe and exploration, learning by doing. I felt I was being thrown into the deep end but in a safe and supportive environment. And by the end of the course, I was beginning to swim! This course could benefit a huge range of therapists, coaches and anybody interested in self-development."
Michael Shoolbred
"Joe Kao’s course in transformational storytelling really delivered, and in a way I was not expecting. I thought I was in for a theory deep course on story structure and linguistic tricks but instead it was a very practical with immediate application. As I reflect I realise that this is much better as I could have easily drowned in too much theory and it wouldn’t have been useful. I would love to build on these skills with Joe and I look forward to another course. Thank you Pete and Joe. This is by far the best learning platform for change work that I have come across".
Thomas Wood
"I highly recommend this course. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and each week the time has flown by. After being a part of this I can say I am more able to develop stories to use in the moment. Transformational stories isn’t something you attend and then it’s done. It’s just the beginning of developing a whole vault full of your own stories. Thanks again Pete and Joe".
Lisa Davenport
