Koke Saavedra, Psy.D. and Galia Schechter, Psy.D. EHI:7 Session Outline

The Freedom to Choose in the Presence of Our Fears and Anxieties: Mindful Acceptance or Mindful Inquiry

Koke Saavedra, Psy.D. and Galia Schechter, Psy.D.    90 minutes

Over the last decade, mindfulness practices promoting a friendly relationship with our fears and anxieties (and other difficult psychological experiences) have become more central to existential–humanistic (such as gestalt, emotion-focused, somatic, etc) and experiential-behavioral(such as acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, etc) psycho therapeutic work with fear- and anxiety-related challenges. This momentous development has raised a fundamental question as to the distinct roles in psychotherapy of mindful inquiry, on the one hand, and mindful acceptance, on the other.

Speakers and sessions are being highlighted here on our blog. Read more about the EHI7 sessions here.

Jeff Sharp, Ph.D. EHI:7 Session Outline

Addressing Grief and a Looming Abyss: Uncertainty, Terror and Unexpected Rewards

Jeff Sharp, Ph.D.   90min

This presentation will initially focus on a critical, pivotal discussion I had with my Mother about nine months before her death. A discussion, that is, that required both of us to face considerable anxiety—and which greatly strengthened our relationship and provided us with immense opportunities to live in a more meaningful and fulfilling manner. I will look at two separate yet interwoven grieving processes: hers, and mine. Reflections on these processes, informed by Existential/Humanistic themes, Kubler’s Ross’s insights on death and dying, and Attachment Theory, will be shared. Following an initial narrative and theoretical presentation, we will have small group discussions in which participants can discuss related grieving processes and decisions in their own lives. We will create a safe context in which participants can explore, if desired, the risks inherent in addressing specific grieving issues in their own lives, and the risks inherent in avoiding these matters.

Speakers and sessions are being highlighted here on our blog. Read more about the EHI7 sessions here.

Candice Hershman, MA, LMFT, Doctoral Candidate and Sonja Saltman, MA EHI:7 Session Outline

Befriending Each Other: Befriending Agency & Meaning Through Community

Candice Hershman, MA, LMFT, Doctoral Candidate and Sonja Saltman, MA    90 min

In a world that is becoming increasingly technological and globalized, people have adapted to both the advantages and disadvantages of rapid access to information and communication. However, people are additionally becom- ing more isolated and disconnected from each other. The unfortunate result is waning empathy that results from estrangement of the whole-bodied self and the whole experience of others. However, when we entrust our interac- tions to the basic existential principles of relationship and presence in the here and now, we re-establish intra and interpersonal awareness, strengthen empathy, and meet each other, no matter how different our perspectives may be. Hegel’s model of “thesis, antithesis, and synthesis” becomes possible when we become present to the experience of a diverse community in an intimate, heartfelt setting. This sets the tone for problem solving on a local, grassroots level that will hopefully impact our global world. This is the center where our personal empowerment begins.

Speakers and sessions are being highlighted here on our blog. Read more about the EHI7 sessions here.

Heatherlyn Hoffman, PsyD, Louis Hoffman, PhD and Theopia Jackson, PhD EHI:7 Session Outline

Cultural Competency & Existential Psychotherapy

Heatherlyn Hoffman, PsyD, Louis Hoffman, PhD and Theopia Jackson, PhD    90 minutes

Existential-humanistic psychology, as commonly represented in the professional literature and practice, is heavily steeped in Western and Euro-American culture and its assumptions. Despite this, it has great potential to be practiced in a culturally sensitive manner in diverse contexts and with diverse clientele. To accomplish this, existential therapy must be aware of its biases and assumptions that may be problematic to certain individuals and cultural groups while developing strategies to be adapted in varied settings and contexts. Cultural competency is generally defined to include self-awareness of one’s own cultural views, attitude toward cultural and other differences, knowledge of different cultural worldviews, and skills for working in cross-cultural settings. This presentation explores what it would mean for existential-humanistic therapy and its practitioners to be culturally competent.

Speakers and sessions are being highlighted here on our blog. Read more about the EHI7 sessions here.

Elva Hoxie, PhD, RN, MPH EHI:7 Session Outline

The Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) on the Survivor’s Spouse/Partner From an Existential-Humanistic Perspective

The research is based on three methods used in the nursing research: concept analysis (Morse, 1995; Walker & Avant, 2005), concept advancement (Penrod & Hupcey, 2005), and integrative review, (Broome, 1993). A main tenet and value of the chosen theorectical designs are two-fold: (1) the methods are based in health research, and (2) the conclusions promote practical utlization for clinical application.

Elva Hoxie, PhD, RN, MPH    90 minutes

The critical review of the literature on traumatic brain injury shows the complexity of brain function and illustrates how damage can negatively affect the survivor’s daily existence  (Kandel, 2006; Greve, 2009; Werner & Engelhard, 2007). Trauma to the brain frequently causes  pervasive cognitive dysfunction and a variety of personality changes, including impulsivity,  unpredictability, anger, lack of critical thinking, lack of empathy, and lack of awareness about one’s own impairments (Godwin, et al., 2011; Saunders & Struchen, 2011). These problematic issues have a negative impact on the marital/couple relationship, family dynamics, and relationships in general. Yet, a meaningful and supportive relationship can contribute to the TBI-survivor’s healing from TBI related life changes and psychological trauma…

The purpose is to help facilitate the process of learning to live with the challenges and transcend the psychological pain into existential meaning.

Speakers and sessions are being highlighted here on our blog. Read more about the EHI7 sessions here.

New Article by Bob Edelstein on How Our Identity is Fluid, Subjective and Chosen.

Authenticity and Identity

In this most recent article Bob Edelstein, L.M.F.T., M.F.T discusses how discovering who you are in the moment modifies your already established identity.

From the intro to the article:

In every moment we can rediscover and recreate ourselves. From an Existential-Humanistic perspective, this change takes place when we discover that who we are in the moment is not congruent with how we have identified ourselves. We then have the opportunity to redefine ourselves in order to align with what is most true in the present. To do so, we may need to reinterpret what cannot be denied from our past (George Kelly, Ph.D.). We may also begin to re-envision who we want to be in the future in a more congruent way as we shift this part of our identity into what is authentic in the present. This is an ongoing process because our authentic identity changes throughout our life in response to the impact of our life experiences.

Read the full article on Bob Edelstein's blog Authentic Engagement on the PsychologyToday website published on September 28, 2013.

Related Articles:

• AskimoTV Interviews with Bob Edelstein on Existential Humanistic Psychotherapy

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Bob Edelstein, L.M.F.T., M.F.T., is an Existential-Humanistic psychotherapist based in Portland, Oregon. In addition to being a therapist for over 36 years, he also provides consultation, supervision, and training for professionals, including a one-day workshop entitled Deepen Your Therapeutic Work Using an Existential-Humanistic Perspective. Bob is a founding member of the Existential-Humanistic Northwest Professional Organization and the Association for Humanistic Psychology - Oregon Community. He is a board member of the San Francisco based Existential-Humanistic Institute.