Pacing Concerns in Private Practice

Slow Your Roll! (Or Maybe Speed It Up?): Pacing Concerns in Private Practice (2HR)

$32.00

Categories: General Skill Building, Online Course

Course Description

Therapy pacing challenges often arise from a complex interplay of factors. Therapists may unconsciously rush sessions due to personal anxieties or internal pressure, while clients might push for rapid progress to avoid confronting painful emotions or disengage due to fear. Relational dynamics, such as inauthenticity or unclear boundaries, can further disrupt the natural flow of therapy. Additionally, structural considerations like session length, frequency, and insurance constraints can impact pacing and effectiveness. This course delves into four domains—sensitive topics, therapist and client internal “parts” (thanks, IFS!), relational dynamics, and structural considerations—to help practitioners identify and address pacing concerns. Through interactive discussions and practical teaching, participants will learn to recognize when pacing feels off, understand internal dynamics, implement techniques like reflective listening and compassionate curiosity, and establish time boundaries. By understanding and addressing the roots of pacing challenges, therapists can foster a more effective and empathetic practice.

Upon completion of the training, participants will be able to:

Identify factors contributing to pacing challenges in therapeutic sessions.
Apply pacing strategies to support balanced therapeutic progress.
Describe the impact of therapist and client internal dynamics on the pacing of therapeutic work.

Social workers completing this course receive 2 General Skill Building asynchronous continuing education credits.

For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 2 General Skill Building continuing education training.

Course Instructor: Dreya Blume, LCSW

Recording Date: 12/04/2025

Course Format

NBCC ACEP # 7091, CE Training Workshops has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP #7091. Programs that do not qualify are clearly identified. CE Training Workshops is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. CE Training Workshops designates this continuing education activity for 3 continuing education hours.

CE Training Workshops, LLC, #1770, 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: 08/02/2025 to 08/02/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical continuing education credits.

Meet Your Facilitator

Sarah Czopek is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who pivoted from an undergraduate career in classical voice and music business to then pursue her Masters in Professional Counseling from Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. Currently an Illinois resident, Sarah is the founder of Grace & Gratitude Counseling, a niche practice of women serving women and teen girls with anxiety and trauma in the greater Chicagoland area. Dually certified in EMDR and IFS (Level 3), Sarah is passionate about blending these modalities along with creative elements into her work as a trauma-informed therapist, as well as providing interactive, experiential training and mentorship to other professionals.

Before starting her group practice, Sarah served as a family counselor in a therapeutic day school, helping families of children with special needs navigate everything from IEP meetings and in-home supports to trauma and behavioral crises. Now the parent of a “2e” kiddo herself, Sarah is an advocate for neurodiversity awareness, school choice, and regulated parenting. In her free time, Sarah can be found with her husband and two children, her church family, a delightful backyard garden, and cup-after-cup of loose leaf tea. Don’t be surprised if you spot her Sheepadoodle, Emmy, or Cornish Rex kitten, Hershey, in the background of her trainings!

Syllabus

Introduction

Therapy pacing challenges often emerge from a complex mix of clinical, relational, and structural factors. This course explores how therapists can intentionally adjust pacing to support balanced progress, safety, and depth in treatment. Participants will examine how reflection, rehearsal, repair, compassionate curiosity, and clear structural boundaries can guide more effective session flow.

Objective 1: Apply Pacing Strategies to Support Balanced Progress

Participants will learn practical approaches for adjusting the tempo of therapeutic work. The course will explore the use of reflection, rehearsal, and repair as tools for pacing, as well as how compassionate curiosity and clear structural boundaries help create a rhythm that supports both challenge and safety.

Objective 2: Identify Factors That Contribute to Pacing Challenges

This section examines common influences on pacing, including sensitive clinical topics, relational dynamics, and structural time constraints. Participants will explore how session limits, client readiness, and therapeutic alliance can either support or disrupt the natural flow of treatment.

Objective 3: Describe Internal Dynamics That Shape Pacing

Participants will explore how therapist and client internal experiences affect the speed and direction of therapy. Topics include imposter syndrome, confusion, and performative stances in clinicians, as well as reframing client resistance. The course will introduce the concept of leading with Self-energy from Internal Family Systems (IFS) as a guide for attuned pacing.

Summary and Q&A

The course concludes with a review of key concepts and an opportunity for reflection and discussion to support thoughtful, flexible pacing in private practice.