Working Psychotherapeutically with Pain & Illness 

January 30-31

Stuart Alpert, Psy.D.,LCSW

We will be dealing with the emotional and energetic roots of physical pain and illness. Through the use of understanding energetic flow in the body, emotional blocks and spiritual messages, we will be teaching a roadmap to healing. Different physical conditions will be presented. Participants will have an opportunity to work on their own pain and illness. In addition, therapists and healers will receive supervision for clients who have physical issues.

The workshop is based on the following understanding:

We are all complex, multidimensional organisms where every aspect of who we are and how we function affects every other part of our being.  Just as a physical ailment affects us emotionally, left unattended, an emotional or spiritual wound can grow itself into a physical ailment.  All processes, in this dynamic, holographic, multi-layered way occur at the same time in every system of the body and psyche:  emotions, brain, muscles, tissues, organs, bones, blood, nerves, lymph, cerebro-spinal fluid, etc.  All are totally and completely impacted by one another all of the time.  Every event in our life is an event that includes and has ramifications in terms of our body, our emotions and our spirit.  Even our memories are stored, not only in our brain; they are stored in every cell of our body.

Track C - The Usui System of Reiki Healing: Level 1

February 6-7 

Donna Baker-Gilroy,Psy.D.,LPC 

The Usui System of Reiki Healing is a non-invasive hands on healing art.  Its many benefits include reducing stress, alleviating pain and inflammation, promoting relaxation and restoring the body, mind and spirit to balance. You will be introduced to the history and concepts of this system, to its disciplines and to a patterned progression of hand positions to use in its practice.  Upon completion of Level I training you will receive a certificate and will have the skill to give a complete session to another or to oneself.

Beginning Anew: Integrating a Zen Buddhist Approach to Conflict Resolution

March 6-7

Donna Baker-Gilroy,Psy.D.,LPC & David Gilroy,Psy.D.,LPC

We all experience conflict at one time or another in our relationships.  We will explore a Zen Buddhist approach to working through and growing from these conflicts.  This process was developed by Thich Nhat Hanh and the monks and nuns at Plum Village in France.  It helps us practice creating peace between spouses, partners, friends, relatives, co-workers, groups, and nations.  We will work with how to use this approach in conjunction with what we know about Body Centered Gestalt psychotherapy.

Animal Imagery & Body Centered Gestalt Therapy

May 1-2

Margaret Vasington 

Throughout history art, dreams, myths, and legends have intimately connected animals and humans.  In this workshop we will call upon an image, usually animal, that represents the fullness in life, which will in turn introduce us to the chakra animal that will most enhance the fullness of our own life at this moment.  With their special gentle humor, unexpected directness and startling wisdom these animals may guide us on crucial next steps for healing and moving forward.  The workshop is experiential.  There will be an opportunity to share journeys (if you choose) and discuss the parallels between this work and body-oriented Gestalt.  The ability to image and a fondness of animals is neither necessary nor required for the weekend!