SATURDAY MORNING WORKSHOPS
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Round One: Saturday 9:00 – 10:15 A.M.

101       Introduction to Psychosynthesis            (Recommended Introductory Course)  

              Judith Broadus, Ph.D., Brad Roth, M.A., and Carlyn Saltman, M.A.                                       

              This presentation will cover fundamental aspects of psychosynthesis through dydactic, experiential, and discussion methods. Roberto Assagioli, MD, founder of psychosynthesis, described seven basic concepts as the sine qua non of psychosynthesis theory and practice, the ground of psychosynthesis, as it were. Psychological interventions utilizing these concepts will be shared, as well as discussing a variety of current applications of psychosynthesis theory  including education, therapy, business, the arts, and among clergy. Join us to get a view and an experience of the ground of psychosynthesis.

                 Judith Broadus, Ph.D., received her training in psychosynthesis from the Kentucky Center of Psychosynthesis. She has also studied group leadership at the Concord Institute and with Shambhala Training International, and is certified as a meditation instructor. She served on the Steering Committee of AAP, 2000 - 2003, and was Cochair 2002 - 2003. She has taught Psychosynthesis to both professionals and non-professionals nationally and internationally in North and South America. For several years she served as Director of the Shambhala Meditation Center of Lexington and is currently in full-time private practice as a Licensed Psychologist in Lexington.

   Brad Roth, M.A., Wesleyan University, is a Certified Laban Movement Analyst (CMA), a  trainer with Connecticut Institute for Psychosyntheis, Member of  Professional Development Committee of AA, and Editor of AAP’s Conversations, Vol. 6: Psychosynthesis and the Body"

   Documentary filmmaking led Carlyn Saltman, M.A., to sub-Saharan Africa in the 80’s and 90’s. Since training at The Synthesis Center in Amherst, MA (2002-04), her documentary interview questions are now enlivened by the principles of psychosynthesis. Guiding clients has been a natural extension of the video/DVD memoir services she’s offered since 1998 to clients of her small business Your Story Matters.

Learning Objectives: Attendees should be better able to:

1. Describe  the seven core concepts of psychosynthsis theory.
2. Use several key concepts to apply to psychological interventions. List  a variety of applications of psychosynthesis theory and practice.
3. Create a plan to apply psychosynthesis to their own personal daily lives.

102       This Is Your Brain on Intuition     

              Jan Wall, M.S., M.A.* and Neal Klein, Ed.D.

                 Carl Jung described human functioning types as sensing, feeling, thinking, and intuiting.  The first three are strongly acknowledged in Western culture; the last, intuiting, often ignored or viewed with suspicion.  We will look at Intuition through the lens of neuroanatomy/physiology, as well as cross-cultural psychology, which has led to greater acceptance, and utilization, of its possibilities.    

                 Jan Wall teaches courses in Holistic Approaches to Healing, Transpersonal Psychology, and Intuition at Lesley University.  Currently working on her doctorate degree with a focus on the role of Intuition on learning and development.

                 Since 1976, Neal Klein has been a professor at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA, where he focuses in the areas of counseling, holistic health, and cross-cultural psychology. His book A New Operating Manual for Being Human, a text on holistic psychology, was published in 2005.

Learning Objectives: Attendees should be better able to:

1. Define the various sociocultural definitions of Intuition.
2. Describe the neuroanatomy/physiology of the Intuitive process.
3. Discuss the role of contemplative practices on strengthening Intuition.
4. Explain how ignoring our Intuition can lead to physical, emotional and spiritual problems.
5. Discuss ways to reclaim Intuition.

103       Coaching Evolution: Facilitating Personal Transformation and the Evolution of               Consciousness in Business and Organizational Settings

              Peter Stonefield, Ph.D.

   Coaching Evolution offers participants an overview on how to adapt Psychosynthesis techniques (sub-personalities, dis-identification, guided imagery, communicating with the unconscious and the will) for use in leadership development, coaching and teambuilding situations. Maps, models, experiential exercises and real life stories will be used to illustrate the transformational potential.

   Peter Stonefield, BSEE, Ph.D. has been coaching the evolution of individuals and teams in business and government for over 20 years. He designed a Leadership Development program based on Assagioli’s book The Act of Will that over 70,000 managers have attended.

Learning Objectives: Attendees should be better able to:

1. Describe  the Coaching Evolution model.  
2. List several models for Leadership Development.
3. Apply dis-identification, guided imagery, and inquiry techniques, in a coaching, organizational, or business setting.

104       The Will to Change the World 

              (Double-length workshop 9:00-11:45 A.M.)

              Molly Brown, M. A., M. Div.

   We will explore together how each person can contribute to a Great Turning towards a Life Sustaining Society. We will share our responses to today's troubled world (arising from our interconnectedness with all life), identify our unique gifts, and cultivate the will to act effectively on behalf of Life.

   Molly has integrated psychosynthesis with ecopsychology and deep ecology over the last decade. She studied with Roberto Assagioli in 1973 and has since studied and taught with ecophilosopher Joanna Macy.

Learning Objectives: Attendees should be better able to:

1. Define and describe the work of Joanna Macy and The Great Turning.
2. List one’s own unique gifts and calling. 
3. Describe the challenges of today's world with an open heart and mind.
4. Describe the meaning of a Life Sustaining Society.
5. Discuss the three dimensions of will in relation to social action.
6. Select specific actions to undertake at home and in the community, unique to personal skills and talents,  to help create a Life Sustaining Society.

105       Inalterable Inner Joy: From Microcosm to Macrocosm

              (Double-length workshop 9:00-11:45 A.M.)

              Eva-Louise Hamer, R.N.

   One of the best keys to healing suggested by Roberto Assagioli is to develop the inner joy that heals not only the dark side of our psyche but moves toward the healing of our planet’s wounds. A creative synthesizing exercise will invite participants to deepen their understanding of the “Egg” and “Star” diagrams described in Assagioli’s Act of Will, and move to concrete manifestation of the will to heal.

   Eva-Louise Hamer has been a psychosynthesis trainer since 1978. She has gained the understanding of profound healing experiences while working with many healers throughout the world, and still believes that psychosynthesis is one of the best keys to healing. Assagioli’s tremendous intuition about the power of healing with inner joy gave us the concrete tools to help persons to heal themselves and have an important impact on the environments and the suffering world..

Learning Objectives: Attendees should be better able to:

1. Describe the concept of disidentification and identification to the Self.
2. Explain the different levels of the unconscious (egg diagram).
3. Describe and compare the different functions of the psyche (star diagram).
4. Practice applications of the will in a personal, transpersonal and spiritual way.
5. Describe psychosynthesis concepts and their possible application.

106       Expressive Arts for Healing                                     

              (Double-length workshop 9:00-11:45 A.M.)

              Phyllis L. Clay, Ph.D.

   Combining psychosynthesis principals and expressive arts, this hands-on workshop engages participants in movement, sound, visual arts, and guided imagery as means of self-empowerment. The Creative Connection® process, developed by Natalie Rogers (Carl Rogers' daughter), awakens creativity and can be used to enhance therapy, mediation, and group facilitation. Art experience unnecessary.

   Dr. Phyllis Clay, a psychosynthesis practitioner and trainer, has studied extensively with Natalie Rogers and holds a certificate in Expressive Arts for Healing and Social Change from Saybrook Graduate School. Phyllis travels frequently to study in the archives of Roberto Assagioli.

Learning Objectives: Attendees should be better able to:

1. Describe ways in which expressive arts facilitates personal growth and healing.
2. Apply methods of connecting with mind, body, spirit, and emotions through expressive arts.
3. Demonstrate how to use the arts for personal growth and in therapy and group facilitation.
4. Identify applications of personal creativity through the arts.

Round Two: Saturday 10:30 – 11:45 A.M.

201       Introduction to Sub-personalities            (Recommended Introductory Course)

              Mary Kelso, Ph.D. and Betty Bosdell, Ph.D.

   Ever find yourself in a situation acting in ways you either do not like or believe go against your own best interests and yet are unable to change your behavior? We may even say, "I don't know what got into me?"  Using lecture and direct experience, participants will be introduced to Assagioli's concept of sub-personalities.  Applications for personal and clinical use will be addressed.  Participants will leave able to use sup-personalities for their own personal growth, acceptance, and change.  Practitioners can also learn applications for use in their clinical work.

   Drs. Kelso & Bosdell (both past Chairpersons of the AAP of Steering Committee) have each taught and used Psychosynthesis in university classrooms and private practice for over 30 years.  They teach in the distance-learning program of Psychosynthesis International.

Learning Objectives: Attendees should be better able to:

1. Recognize, describe, and access their sub-personalities.
2. Describe how to assist others in identifying and accessing sub-personalties.
3. List  when and how to apply these methods in their personal lives or the lives of their clients.

202       The Soul’s Descent

              Thomas Yeomans, Ph.D.

   This prersentation expores the dynamic of Soul-incarnation and the principle of "descendence" as essential aspects of psycho-spiritual development--ones that complement the more familiar dynamic of Soul-identification and the pirnciple of transcendence. Behind this expanded theoroetical perspective lies an emerging spirituality of the mature soul, fully alive on earth here and now, rooted in the intent to realize the planet as sacred and the Divine embodied in all beings and in everyday life.

   Thomas Yeomans, Ph.D, has worked in the fields of Psychosynthesis and Spiritual Psychology for thirty-eight years. He trained with Roberto Assagiioli, M.D. in Florence, Italy and at the Psychosynthesis Institute in Palo Alto, CA.

Learning Objectives: Attendees should be better able to:

1. Describe and discuss innovations in psychosynthesis theory.
2. Utilize a new perspective on spiritual development.
3. Select and apply skillful methods in work with the spiritual dimension.

203       Transforming Families with Psychosynthesis            

             Ilene Val-Essen, Ph.D.

  Too often, even skillful parents “lose it” under stress.  The presenter draws on thirty years of experience to share with professionals an innovative Three-Step Process that helps parents remain centered in difficult situations.  In this experiential workshop, participants gain confidence in helping families create an environment based on mutual respect.

Dr. Val-Essen has worked in the field of parent education as a therapist, consultant and trainer for more than thirty years.  She created the Quality Parenting program and authored the book, Bring Out the Best -- in Your Child and Yourself, both based on psychosynthesis theory and practice.

Learning Objectives: Attendees should be better able to:

1. Recognize and describe the lower self that "loses it" under stress.
2. Practice and teach techniques for reducing stress, both in general and in the context of parenting.
3. Describe five ways of modeling mutual respect.

(Updated March 16, 2008)

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