Self-Meaning Based Therapy: An Integrative Model of Psychotherapy E310

Course Summary

Practice Level: Beginner

Self-Meaning Based Therapy® (SMBT) is an integrative model of psychotherapy centered on the understanding that human beings are inherently relational and meaning-making, and that difficult or traumatic early experiences can shape enduring meanings about the self. At the heart of SMBT is the identification of a core negative Self-Meaning—an often nonconscious, relationally encoded, and experientially held sense of self that may organize emotional and relational patterns across time. This introductory learning material, designed for social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and counselors, provides an overview of the theoretical foundations, central concepts, and distinctive contributions of SMBT. It examines the role of early relational experience and the primacy of nonconscious processes in the formation and persistence of core Self-Meaning, distinguishes SMBT from other approaches to psychotherapy, and introduces the model’s clinical method. Particular attention is given to how SMBT identifies the core negative Self-Meaning and uses bilateral stimulation to access and transform its lived phenomenological expression, including its emotional, somatic, imagistic, sensory, and symbolic dimensions.

*As an emerging psychotherapy model, SMBT is still developing its empirical evidence base, and its clinical effectiveness has not yet been established through systematic outcome research.

Course Format

This course contains downloadable online lessons (PDF) and a practice test. When you’re ready, purchase the course by clicking the “Add To Cart” or “Enroll” button. This will let you take the test, complete the course evaluation and receive your certificate for CE credits.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe basics tenets of Self-Meaning Based Therapy®. 
2. Explain the method and processes of Self-Meaning Based Therapy®. 
3. Explain how early relational experiences and nonconscious processes contribute to the development and persistence of core negative Self-Meaning.

Course Syllabus

• What Is Self-Meaning Based Therapy?
  • Theoretical foundations and development of Self-Meaning
• II. The SMBT Model
  • Core negative Self-Meaning and its influence across time
• III. The Primacy of the Unconscious
  • Primary and secondary consciousness
  • Nonconscious and experiential aspects of Self-Meaning
• IV. The Effectiveness of Bilateral Stimulation
  • Use of bilateral stimulation to access and process Self-Meaning
• V. The Method of SMBT
  • Identification of core Self-Meaning and compensatory strategies
  • Gathering early relationship episodes and identifying relational themes
• VI. The Process of SMBT
  • Preparing the patient for processing
  • Processing the core Self-Meaning using bilateral stimulation
• VII. Important Differences Between EMDR and SMBT
  • Differences in theoretical foundations and treatment targets
• VIII. Outcomes of SMBT: Emancipation of the True Self
  • Transformation of negative Self-Meaning
  • Changes in self-experience, relationships, and compensatory strategies
• IX. Conclusion
  • SMBT as a humanistic and meaning-centered approach to psychological change

Authors

Dr. Lawrie Ignacio, PsyD

Dr. Lawrie Ignacio is a clinical psychologist, educator, and co-developer of Self-Meaning-Based Therapy® (SMBT) and Intensive Psychodynamic Couple Therapy (IPCT). Her work explores how implicit self-meaning, formed in early life, shapes identity, suffering, and relationships. Based in Honolulu, she teaches and mentors doctoral students while contributing to community care through the co-founding of Hawaiʻi’s first pro-bono virtual mental health clinic. She presents nationally and internationally.

Dr. Graham Taylor, PsyD

Dr. Graham Taylor is a clinical psychologist whose work integrates psychodynamic, humanistic, and trauma-informed approaches with neuroscience. He is co-developer of Self-Meaning-Based Therapy® (SMBT) and Intensive Psychodynamic Couple Therapy (IPCT). His work focuses on how implicit self-meaning organizes emotional and relational life, and how therapy can access these deeper layers. He teaches, consults, and contributes to professional dialogue through writing, speaking, and podcasting.

*Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The developers of SMBT have professional affiliations with Level Education Group and an intellectual and professional interest in the modality. No commercial support was received for this continuing education activity, and no related products or services are being promoted or sold through it. CE4Less independently reviewed the activity for educational quality, accurate representation of the available evidence, and commercial bias.

Accreditation Approval Statements

CE4Less.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE4Less.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CE4Less.com, provider #1115, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 8/8/24-8/8/27.

Social workers completing this course receive 1 clinical continuing education credits.

This course has been approved by CE4Less.com, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #91345, CE4Less.com is responsible for all aspects of the programing.

We are committed to providing our learners with unbiased information. CE4Less never accepts commercial support and our authors have no significant financial or other conflicts of interest pertaining to the material.