Gaslighting in the Spotlight (3 CEs)

Gaslighting is everywhere, featured in movies, in TV shows, in the media and social media, in our political, social, and even personal discourse. Its visceral nature has made it a cultural phenomenon. The time has come for mental health professionals to put gaslighting in, and under, the spotlight.  Gaslighters are a special type of abuser, manipulating their victims using insidious, subtle, coercive, and deceptive techniques. What distinguishes gaslighting from other forms of abuse is that gaslighters seek to cause their victims to question their perception of reality.   In this webinar we will rely on video excerpts from the originating film Gaslight, as well as movies (Girl on the Train), series (The Lucy Show, Gaslit, Bad Sisters, and 48 Hours), and documentaries of high-profile trials (Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein).   We will delve into various types of malevolent behavior via case studies to distinguish what is…and what is not… gaslighting. We will explore its origins, identify practices, and investigate who among us is prone to gaslighting and who falls prey to gaslighters. Attendees will also learn to characterize the interpersonal dynamics that operate in these abusive relationships, and the elements to an overall treatment approach. Now that gaslighting has taken center stage, its performance should get a critical review.