Aiki is a Japanese philosophy that focuses on joining rather than confronting an attacker. This approach fits well with the Ericksonian principle of utilization in that, when a person is “stuck” in a problem they are like a car stuck in a snow bank. Gunning their engine is just digging them deeper. The Aiki protocol allows the individual to come at the problem from the opposite side and, in doing so, discover they had the answer or appropriate strategy all along! Using a guided imagery, this answer can be strengthened and change becomes easy.
Dr. M. Paula Daoust has a Ph.D. in Behavioral Psychology from the University of Kansas and has taught over 1,500 students over 25 years using a combination of andrological / experiential tools. Dr. Daoust has also developed and implemented over 75 different workshops for corporate settings in the areas of influence, positivity, stress, conflict resolution, problem solving, change management, etc. Dr. Daoust currently heads up the leadership academy for BCBSKS and provides consulting, coaching and mediation for its employees.