SUNDAY MORNING WORKSHOPS
See Schedule

Round Five: Sunday  9:00 – 10:15 A.M.

501       A Training Program on Presence

              Marcel Rheault, M.A. and Jane Stevens, B.Sc.

Even if the reality of presence is very difficult  to define, we know  that it constitutes a fundamental ingredient for the quality of the helping relationship. By means of presentations and short pieces of experimentation, we would like to share what has been developed in our region as a training program on that theme.

   Born and raised in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Marcel went through theological studies and became a Roman Catholic priest in the sixties. Since the seventies, he has practiced psychosynthesis as psychotherapist and as teacher and trainer in different settings.

   Jane took Marcel’s Training Program on Presence in the Helping Relaionship, and the three year program in psychosynthesis, and since that time has participated in the program as Marcel Rheault’s assistant. She maintains a practice as a physical therapist in a public health rehab setting.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be better able to:

1. Describe the concept of "presence in the helping relationship."
2. Apply Psychosynthesis concepts to the training of presence.Demonstrate experientially the concepts and tools used in the training.
3. Provide an opportunity for dialogue on the workshop demonstrations.

502       A Conversation About Group Work with People with Cancer

              Lenore Lefer, M.S., MFT

This time will be an opportunity to explore the benefits of working with people with cancer in a group setting. We will use some of the psychosynthesis principles to learn about healing and see how the crisis of Cancer is an opportunity for emotional and spiritual growth for the patient and his/her family.

   Lenore has been working with people with cancer for over 20 years at Commonweal in Bolinas, CA and also at Smith Farm Center for Healing and Arts in Washington, D.C. She is trained both in Psychosynthesis and Clinical Psychology and has had a private practice as a psychotherapist for over 30 years. She has led groups for women and people with heart disease with Dr. Dean Ornish, and also has been a trainer and consultant.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be better able to:

1. Discuss the value of hope in treatment with people with cancer.
2. Apply Psychosynthesis principles to working with this population.
3. Describe the difference between curing and healing.

503       Yoga and Psychosynthesis                                     

              Julie Teetsov, Ph.D.

We will discuss how the basic principles of Yoga as seen in the Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad-Gita relate to the egg diagram, the stages of psychosynthesis and Self-realization.  We will examine ways in which psychosynthesis can be used in teaching yoga, including an opportunity to experience the integration of yoga and psychosynthesis..

   Dr. Julie Teetsov, certified yoga instructor and life coach, received her training from the Kripalu Center for the Healing Arts in Lenox, MA and the Ford Institute of Integrative Coaching at J.F.K University in San Jose, California She is currently studying psychosynthesis with Molly Young Brown.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be better able to:

1. List the basic principles of Yoga as they apply to practitioners in the United States.
2. Compare the basic principles of Yoga and Psychosynthesis.
3. Utilize in themselves and others a light Yoga/Psychosynthesis process.
4. Discuss case studies of the integration of Psychosynthesis into a Yoga class.

504       Archetypal Reparenting:    The Crowning Goal of Psychotherapy

              Richard Martin, D.Min.

What do we do to speed the movement of a client from disentangling with their dysfunctional past to fulfilling their highest potential? Connecting them with their archetypal or spiritual family is one answer. In this workshop you will come to understand the process, witness a demonstration, and have the opportunity to experience it yourself.

   Dr. Martin is director of A Center for Transforming Relationships in Hadley, MA, with 20 years in private practice. He holds a Doctorate of Ministry in Pastoral Psychology, with a two-year externship in couple and family therapy. He trained in psychosynthesis at The Synthesis Center in Amherst, MA.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be better able to:

1. Describe the roots of mental/emotional dysfunction in traumatic situations.
2. Demonstrate the uses of active imagination (guided meditation) in diagnosing and releasing toxic relationships and internalized sub-personalities.
3. Explain and demonstrate the process of accessing one's achetypal or spiritual family.
4. Practice a guided search for the archetypal/spiritual family with those in attendance.

505       From Transcultural to Transpersonal:   Human Development in a Time of Epochal

              Change

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

              Carol Blanchard, M.Ed., M.Div.

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

              Carol Blanchard, M.Ed., M.Div.

This workshop will present three developmental models of personal, cultural and spiritual growth that vision an ongoing transformation of the idea of Self and relationship.  The Self is poised at the crossing point of our vertical relations between earth and spirit, and our horizontal relations with our loved ones, groups and cultural environments. These ideas, woven together with psychosynthesis, can help us build a strong transformative presence in a world in deep need of understanding, compassion and peace.

    Carol’s interest in cross-cultural work and learning has been fed by living in Belgium, Afghanistan and currently (for 13 years) in Portugal, and by work at The School for International Training in Brattleboro Vermont, as well as in providing therapy and teaching for ethnically diverse populations in the US and Portugal. She was an associate of the Hill Center for Psychosynthesis in Education in Walpole, NH from 1971 to 1980.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be better able to:

1. Discuss ourselves as individuals impacted by culture.
2. Critique Psychosynthesis in the wide context of human development and education.
3. Apply these principles to working with culturally diverse people.
4. Apply the cultural to the transpersonal dimensions of life.

506       Give PC a Chance: Transformation Through Peaceful Conflict

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

              Walter Polt, M.A. and Cynthia Lashley, Ph.D.

Bring transformation and excitement to life (starting with people important to you) through peaceful conflict­. Choose peaceful anger tactics; dive into anger to find its calm, energy-filled core; and spark new synthesis regularly by combining your core energies with opposite energies of others.
   Walter Polt, LCPC, MA Columbia University, is an experienced psychosynthesis trainer, coach, and guide with an interest in family systems, and author of the book From Anger to Power.
   Cynthia Lashley, PhD Erikson Institute and Loyola University, Chicago, currently teaches at DePaul University in Chicago and works with children, families, caregivers and teachers. She uses psychosynthesis professionally and personally.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be better able to:

1. Describe ways to help clients step away from a provocative situation.
2. Explain methods for clients to go into their anger to find key values of its origin and go from destructive behavior to peaceful.
3. Apply the methods to aid communication with the other person.
4. List strategies to help angry clients achieve satisfaction and find progressive healing and transformation .

Round Six: Sunday 10:30 – 11:45 A.M.

601       Counseling Across the World Wide Web: Connecting in the 21st Century

              Richard D. Judah, Ed.D.* and Frank Vargo, Ed.D.

This workshop/presentation will involve: (a) A brief description of the history of both the Internet and online counseling; (b) A presentation and discussion of the current state of counseling across the Internet; and (c) the future possibilities of providing online counseling services.  Some emphasis will be placed on the legal and ethical issues related to online mental health services and networking.

   Dr. Richard Judah is a licensed Clinical Psychologist on the faculty of the Department of Graduate Psychology and Counseling at Union Institute and University has extensive experience in the mental health field as a clinician, professional supervisor, and mental health services clinical director.  He also has experience and training in neuropsychology and educational psychology

   Dr. Frank E. Vargo is a Clinical Psychologist on the faculty of the Department of Graduate Psychology and Counseling at Union Institute and University. He has extensive experience in the mental health field as a clinician, professional supervisor, and mental health services clinical director.  Dr. Vargo is a practicing clinical and developmental neuropsychologist, school psychologist, and a widely published expert in the fields of psychology, counseling, and learning disabilities.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be better able to:

1. Explain Internet based counseling.
2. List the opportunities and liabilities of providing online psychological counseling services.

602       Technology as a Tool for Healing and Transformation;

              or, “Don’t Throw the Baby out with the Bathwater!”

              Carlyn Saltman, M.A. and Jodi Schneider, M.A.

We will shatter the stereotype of "harmful technology" by interactively exploring two 21st century therapeutic options: video playback that may accelerate the client's process, and online healing communities that foster self-esteem and personal growth by offering each member an opportunity for self-expression. Participants will examine their choices about technology use through pre- and post-self-assessments.
   Jodi Schneider works at the intersection of technology and psychology, informed by graduate work in math and in library and information science. She is a graduate of the Synthesis Center's Professional Training program.
   Documentary filmmaking led Carlyn Saltman 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. The wilds of western Massachusetts became her home while studying history at Mount Holyoke College.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be better able to:

1. Describe choices about and attitudes toward technology use.
2. Discuss at least two healing uses of digital technology.
3. Demonstrate the potential for video playback to accelerate PS coaching and counseling
4. Demonstrate how Internet communities can function as an external unifying center.

603       Alone Together?...(or Are There Ghosts in the Machine?)

              Jim McGrath, B.A. and Terri McGrath, B.S.

Entering and deepening a committed relationship requires a willingness to join and create a level of intimacy between the two partners…and a couple of dozen "ghosts in the machine". It is often helpful for individuals in a relationship to be aware of the "others" they bring along with themselves, and the roles they play. This workshop will explore the presence and power of entities such as parents, children, old partners, projections, ideal models, subpersonalities, etc. in any relationship, and the development toward synthesis as an exercise in deepening the commitment.

      Terri and Jim McGrath are both employed by Ulster County(NY) Dept. of Social Services. Terri McGrath is a Child Protective Services Investigator, with U.C. DSS, and Jim McGrath is a Senior Probation Officer, with U.C.Probation Dept. Jim trained in psychosynthesis at The Synthesis Center in 1980-1982, and is currently enrolled in the Teacher Training Program, while Terri is enrolled in the Level One training at the Center. They have been in a committed relationship (along with their own ghosts) for 21 years, and have studied the influence of their ghosts in their daily lives.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be better able to:

1. Discuss the impact of entities (ghosts) present in any relationship.
2. Explain their purpose in the relationship
3. Plan a willful choice to invite or dis-invite their continued presence.

604       Releasing Trauma’s Grip, for Personal and Social Transformation

              Wendy Webber

We will overview leading edge understanding of the psycho-physiological nature of traumatization, and trauma healing.   We will introduce experientially some basic practices that support the transformation of trauma's grip (and its personal and social repercussions) into the  potential for psychological, social and spiritual awakening and evolution.

   Wendy Webber is a UK trained body-centered transpersonal psychotherapist and focusing trainer with 17 years clinical practice with individuals and groups.   Trained in trauma skills, she blends several modalities including somatic experiencing, Buddhist psychology, nonviolent communication and  EFT. She has worked as a trauma resource trainer in Sri Lanka.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be better able to:

1. Describe the psycho-physiological nature of traumatization, traumatic stress, and its personal and social repercussions.
2. Demonstrate some basic practices such as: resource cultivation, somatic experiencing, self-regulation skills.
3. Describe how individuals and communities can begin to break the cycles of re-enactment, alienation, violence, and addiction.
4. Recognize our capacity to be a healing presence for ourselves, families, and communities.
5. Explain the transformative nature of trauma and its role in evolution.

(Updated March 16, 2008)

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