Thursday, February 25, 2010
Men's Group
MEN'S GROUP
A new group is forming for male clients.
This Group is for YOU if you struggle with social isolation and few male relationships that are meaningful and significant.
Men in our culture have difficulty relating emotionally to other men. Men who were raised in dysfunctional home environments have an even harder time. Children are traumatized by parents who are abusive, absent, checked-out or who expect their sons to be who they need them to be. When sons must attune to their parents needs in order to survive emotionally – instead of the other way around –, they develop in ways that impede adult intimacy.
Group Therapy works because emotional problems that form as a result of inadequate early relationships HEAL in the context of healthy, honest adult relationships. Group provides a context where men experience emotional connection – including anger – with other men, and transform strong impulses into positive change. Group also encourages men to see themselves realistically, rather than through the distorted lens of their childhood trauma.
Men who exhibit symptoms of depression, anxiety, addiction, relational hostility, conflict avoidance, social isolation, rage, and/or feelings of inadequacy, may not understand the source of their discontent. They may believe that their childhoods were normal or not-so-bad, but their symptoms belie this belief. Why? Victims of childhood trauma can sometimes identify obvious instances of emotional or physical abuse. Oftentimes, however, the “abuse” is more subtle. It may have been directed towards another family member or disguised as neglect.
Group therapy is an extremely effective means of healing from childhood trauma.
Please call Elizabeth Perwin at 301-589-5089 for more information.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
The Challenge of Intimate Relationships:
Developing Healthy Attachment and Sexuality in Couples Therapy
On July 10, 2009, SSPA therapist Elizabeth Perwin will address a group of local therapists at the Silver Spring Library on the theory and practice of working with couples based on the “Passionate Marriage” approach developed by David Schnarch. Elizabeth has been treating couples in psychotherapy for more than 10 years. She has participated in extensive trainings, workshops and couples work herself. Her insightful and challenging style of couples therapy is described briefly below.
Partners understandably look to each other to satisfy emotional needs, and to provide validation and empathy. While these are often the traits we look for in a “good relationship,” couples can become overly reliant on each other to maintain a personal sense of well being. Cultural notions of love relationships, as well as certain popular styles of couples counseling, can inadvertently reinforce too much closeness—called emotional fusion--while masquerading as healthy attachment.
In fused relationships, couples expect or even demand that their partners soothe and support them. They may feel angry and betrayed if this assurance is not forthcoming in the particular way they want it. Fused relationships inevitably generate high conflict and/or high avoidance. Partners may feel puzzled by the conflict or withdrawal because the support and care they are asking for is so reasonable. Becoming reactive and personalizing their hurt can escalate to a familiar, painful dynamic that never resolves, leaving couples feeling angry, confused and unhappy.
Understanding how this fused system works can lead partners to a more mature and differentiated relationship. Reduced conflict, greater compassion and improved sexuality are typical byproducts of the “Passionate Marriage” approach to couples therapy. This approach can help unlock the couple’s destructive dance by allowing each partner to develop independently while remaining connected to each other. This results in much happier and significantly enriched intimate relationships.
Developing Healthy Attachment and Sexuality in Couples Therapy
On July 10, 2009, SSPA therapist Elizabeth Perwin will address a group of local therapists at the Silver Spring Library on the theory and practice of working with couples based on the “Passionate Marriage” approach developed by David Schnarch. Elizabeth has been treating couples in psychotherapy for more than 10 years. She has participated in extensive trainings, workshops and couples work herself. Her insightful and challenging style of couples therapy is described briefly below.
Partners understandably look to each other to satisfy emotional needs, and to provide validation and empathy. While these are often the traits we look for in a “good relationship,” couples can become overly reliant on each other to maintain a personal sense of well being. Cultural notions of love relationships, as well as certain popular styles of couples counseling, can inadvertently reinforce too much closeness—called emotional fusion--while masquerading as healthy attachment.
In fused relationships, couples expect or even demand that their partners soothe and support them. They may feel angry and betrayed if this assurance is not forthcoming in the particular way they want it. Fused relationships inevitably generate high conflict and/or high avoidance. Partners may feel puzzled by the conflict or withdrawal because the support and care they are asking for is so reasonable. Becoming reactive and personalizing their hurt can escalate to a familiar, painful dynamic that never resolves, leaving couples feeling angry, confused and unhappy.
Understanding how this fused system works can lead partners to a more mature and differentiated relationship. Reduced conflict, greater compassion and improved sexuality are typical byproducts of the “Passionate Marriage” approach to couples therapy. This approach can help unlock the couple’s destructive dance by allowing each partner to develop independently while remaining connected to each other. This results in much happier and significantly enriched intimate relationships.
For more information about Elizabeth's upcoming training and couples therapy, please call (301) 589-5089.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
2008-2009 Sand Tray Therapy Training Series
Upcoming in January of 2009 -- Dates and location TBA
THE SAND TRAY PLAY THERAPY SERIES: A SKILL-BUILDING SERIES OF WORKSHOPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Course Instructor: Laurie Young, LCSW-C
For more information, e-mail Laurie Young at lyounglcswc@aol.com or call (301) 537-6363.
What is Sand Tray?
Sand tray is a "hands-on" expressive therapeutic approach that translates personal experience into concrete, three-dimensional form. Using a tray of sand, water, and thousands of miniature figurines, clients create and photograph 3-dimensional scenes in the sand. Without having to depend upon words, clients vividly and symbolically express feelings and conflicts in a tangible, highly personalized way.
Training Program Description
Sessions 1 and 2 are foundation courses and sessions 3 through 6 are electives. Participants must complete the first two sessions prior to signing up for any of the electives (or have permission from the instructor to start mid-series). This training is highly experiential; participants learn by immersing themselves in the experience of creating and witnessing play in the sand. The only way for mental health professionals to learn Sand tray is experience it it in a deeply personal way. However, please note that all experiential exercises are designed to provide professional training (not psychotherapy)...even though past participants report experiences of being deeply moved by their work in the sand.
Foundation Courses
SESSION #1
Introduction to sand tray. Participants will learn about the history and therapeutic value of sand tray play therapy, then build and hold a five-item sand tray. Participants will learn and practice the non-directive approach to conducting a sand tray session. Practical concerns about documentation and how to set up a sandtray space will be covered.
SESSION #2
Introduction to sand tray, part II. Participants will learn how to work with wet sand and will explore the archetypal meaning of earth and water. Working with wet sand , participants will explore a wide range of transference and countertransference reactions. Practicum will include building and holding wet sand trays, distinguishing between the archetypal meaning and idiosyncratic meaning of earth and water, and examining transference and counter transference reactions.
Electives
SESSION #3
Working with children and adolescents. Participants will learn how to integrate sand tray therapy into clinical assessment and treatment of children (ages 5 and up) and their work with adolescents. Participants will learn how to modify the non-directive approach to work with different age groups. Identification of common themes seen in children at different developmental stages will be included. Discussion of the role resistance plays and techniques used to address resistance will be included. Practical concerns of boundary-setting and working with parents will be discussed. Practicum will involve building and holding a directed sociogram sandtray.
SESSION #4
Using the sand tray to work with families. Following a review of family therapy principles, participants will learn how to modify the non-directive approach to work with families. This session will use lecture and case presentation to focus on the unique challenges and opportunities of working with families. Participants will take turns practicing family therapy interventions using sand tray.
SESSION #5
Using sand tray with parents to develop a working alliance. Participants will use the sand tray to collect psychosocial background information, develop a treatment plan, track progress in their child’s treatment and conduct parent education. Emphasis will be placed on addressing parental resistance (both to sand tray and to therapy) and on relationship-building with parents. Workshop participants will practice conceptualizing one of their own cases using sand tray.
SESSION #6
Deepening the sand tray experience by integrating it with art and guided imagery. Participants will learn how to amplify a theme by moving back and forth between sand tray, guided imagery and art. Emphasis will be placed on identifying archetypes and developing metaphors. The experiential practicum will integrate the use of guided imagery, art and sand tray to follow an archetype or metaphor.
About the Faculty
What is Sand Tray?
Sand tray is a "hands-on" expressive therapeutic approach that translates personal experience into concrete, three-dimensional form. Using a tray of sand, water, and thousands of miniature figurines, clients create and photograph 3-dimensional scenes in the sand. Without having to depend upon words, clients vividly and symbolically express feelings and conflicts in a tangible, highly personalized way.
Training Program Description
Sessions 1 and 2 are foundation courses and sessions 3 through 6 are electives. Participants must complete the first two sessions prior to signing up for any of the electives (or have permission from the instructor to start mid-series). This training is highly experiential; participants learn by immersing themselves in the experience of creating and witnessing play in the sand. The only way for mental health professionals to learn Sand tray is experience it it in a deeply personal way. However, please note that all experiential exercises are designed to provide professional training (not psychotherapy)...even though past participants report experiences of being deeply moved by their work in the sand.
Foundation Courses
SESSION #1
Introduction to sand tray. Participants will learn about the history and therapeutic value of sand tray play therapy, then build and hold a five-item sand tray. Participants will learn and practice the non-directive approach to conducting a sand tray session. Practical concerns about documentation and how to set up a sandtray space will be covered.
SESSION #2
Introduction to sand tray, part II. Participants will learn how to work with wet sand and will explore the archetypal meaning of earth and water. Working with wet sand , participants will explore a wide range of transference and countertransference reactions. Practicum will include building and holding wet sand trays, distinguishing between the archetypal meaning and idiosyncratic meaning of earth and water, and examining transference and counter transference reactions.
Electives
SESSION #3
Working with children and adolescents. Participants will learn how to integrate sand tray therapy into clinical assessment and treatment of children (ages 5 and up) and their work with adolescents. Participants will learn how to modify the non-directive approach to work with different age groups. Identification of common themes seen in children at different developmental stages will be included. Discussion of the role resistance plays and techniques used to address resistance will be included. Practical concerns of boundary-setting and working with parents will be discussed. Practicum will involve building and holding a directed sociogram sandtray.
SESSION #4
Using the sand tray to work with families. Following a review of family therapy principles, participants will learn how to modify the non-directive approach to work with families. This session will use lecture and case presentation to focus on the unique challenges and opportunities of working with families. Participants will take turns practicing family therapy interventions using sand tray.
SESSION #5
Using sand tray with parents to develop a working alliance. Participants will use the sand tray to collect psychosocial background information, develop a treatment plan, track progress in their child’s treatment and conduct parent education. Emphasis will be placed on addressing parental resistance (both to sand tray and to therapy) and on relationship-building with parents. Workshop participants will practice conceptualizing one of their own cases using sand tray.
SESSION #6
Deepening the sand tray experience by integrating it with art and guided imagery. Participants will learn how to amplify a theme by moving back and forth between sand tray, guided imagery and art. Emphasis will be placed on identifying archetypes and developing metaphors. The experiential practicum will integrate the use of guided imagery, art and sand tray to follow an archetype or metaphor.
About the Faculty
Ms. Young's particular expertise is in providing practical, solution-oriented psychotherapy for children, teenagers, adults and families in crisis. Besides maintaining an active psychotherapy practice, Ms. Young also provides clinical training to other therapists through monthly workshops and clinical supervision. This is her fourth year teaching the Silver Spring Sandtray Series.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, E-MAIL LAURIE YOUNG AT lyounglcswc@aol.com or call (301) 537-6363.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Using EMDR to Treat PTSD
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro nearly two decades ago. Since then nearly 100 case studies and at least 20 formal randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of EMDR versus other treatments to treat post-traummatic stress disorder (PTSD). As a result of this research, in 2004, the American Psychiatric Association gave EMDR the same status as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy--another well established therapy modality-- as an effective treatment of both acute and chronic symptoms of PTSD. One reason that EMDR remains the treatment of choice is that it usually requires fewer sessions than CBT and other behavior-based therapies for PTSD sufferers to experience relief and resolution of symptoms.
At SSPA, all of our therapists are trained in EMDR, not only to treat PTSD but also to provide relief for other anxiety disorders, depression, grief and to enhance performance in such areas as sports and public speaking. EMDR treatment begins with a thorough assessment of symptoms and memories surrounding a trauma or stressful life event and then targets specific areas to work on using a particular EMDR protocol developed by Francine Shapiro and the EMDR Institute in California. Sometimes EMDR just helps clients to relax using creative visualizations and guided imagery. Over the years, many of our clients have gotten significant benefits from using EMDR, which provides further evidence for us that it is now an important and ground-breaking therapy.
Kathleen Smith
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro nearly two decades ago. Since then nearly 100 case studies and at least 20 formal randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of EMDR versus other treatments to treat post-traummatic stress disorder (PTSD). As a result of this research, in 2004, the American Psychiatric Association gave EMDR the same status as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy--another well established therapy modality-- as an effective treatment of both acute and chronic symptoms of PTSD. One reason that EMDR remains the treatment of choice is that it usually requires fewer sessions than CBT and other behavior-based therapies for PTSD sufferers to experience relief and resolution of symptoms.
At SSPA, all of our therapists are trained in EMDR, not only to treat PTSD but also to provide relief for other anxiety disorders, depression, grief and to enhance performance in such areas as sports and public speaking. EMDR treatment begins with a thorough assessment of symptoms and memories surrounding a trauma or stressful life event and then targets specific areas to work on using a particular EMDR protocol developed by Francine Shapiro and the EMDR Institute in California. Sometimes EMDR just helps clients to relax using creative visualizations and guided imagery. Over the years, many of our clients have gotten significant benefits from using EMDR, which provides further evidence for us that it is now an important and ground-breaking therapy.
Kathleen Smith
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Eating Disorders
An eating disorder can be severe food restriction (anorexia), bingeing and purging (bulimia), consistent bingeing or overeating, or take a subtler form: "emotional eating", which means eating that is driven by emotions, not hunger.
Typically the person with an eating disorder feels very ashamed and attempts to keep the behavior a secret. A sense of shame about one's body; a preoccupation with food, weight, and appearance; and a feeling of being out of control are usually present also.
The goal in psychotherapy is two-fold, and happens simultaneously. One goal is to understand the (psychological) purposes that the behavior serves. As awareness of these underlying reasons grows, different ways can be found to meet those emotional needs. The other goal is to learn to manage the behavior, until it is no longer "needed".
In addition to psychotherapy, medication can be a useful part of the process
Catherine Lowry, LCSW-C
Typically the person with an eating disorder feels very ashamed and attempts to keep the behavior a secret. A sense of shame about one's body; a preoccupation with food, weight, and appearance; and a feeling of being out of control are usually present also.
The goal in psychotherapy is two-fold, and happens simultaneously. One goal is to understand the (psychological) purposes that the behavior serves. As awareness of these underlying reasons grows, different ways can be found to meet those emotional needs. The other goal is to learn to manage the behavior, until it is no longer "needed".
In addition to psychotherapy, medication can be a useful part of the process
Catherine Lowry, LCSW-C
Play Therapy
Play therapy is the preferred approach for conducting psychotherapy with children. Play therapy helps children to adjust to stressful life events (such as divorce, moving, changing schools), learn to express thoughts and feelings (without acting-out, nor repressing), learn new relational skills to use with friends, family and authority figures, and to cultivate self-acceptance and empathy for others.
Psychotherapy with children at Silver Spring Psychotherapy Associates always starts out with a careful assessment of the child's functioning at home, in school and in social relationships. A treatment plan is developed in collaboration with the parents, and is updated in regular parent meetings. At Silver Spring Psychotherapy Associates, parents are active participants in all phases of treatment.
Using play therapy with children, even the most challenging problems can be confronted, and solutions can be rehearsed, mastered and adapted into lifelong strategies. Using play therapy, children learn to communicate with others, express feelngs, modify behavior, develop problem-solving skills and learn a variety of ways of relating to others. Play therapy provides a safe psychological distance from their problems, and allows expression of thoughts and feelings appropriate to a child's developmental level.
This blog is loosely adapted from the APT web site.
Psychotherapy with children at Silver Spring Psychotherapy Associates always starts out with a careful assessment of the child's functioning at home, in school and in social relationships. A treatment plan is developed in collaboration with the parents, and is updated in regular parent meetings. At Silver Spring Psychotherapy Associates, parents are active participants in all phases of treatment.
Using play therapy with children, even the most challenging problems can be confronted, and solutions can be rehearsed, mastered and adapted into lifelong strategies. Using play therapy, children learn to communicate with others, express feelngs, modify behavior, develop problem-solving skills and learn a variety of ways of relating to others. Play therapy provides a safe psychological distance from their problems, and allows expression of thoughts and feelings appropriate to a child's developmental level.
This blog is loosely adapted from the APT web site.
Hello everyone,
our latest news is that our office has moved! Our new address is 8720 Georgia Ave, suite 808, Silver Spring, MD 20910. For Catherine, Kathleen, and Elizabeth, this is a move from the third floor to the eighth floor of our same building. For Laurie it's a move from Four Corners to downtown Silver Spring.
We made the move to enable all four of us to be together in one place, and to give us room to house an in-house sandtray collection,which will be set up within the next few weeks.
Catherine Lowry
our latest news is that our office has moved! Our new address is 8720 Georgia Ave, suite 808, Silver Spring, MD 20910. For Catherine, Kathleen, and Elizabeth, this is a move from the third floor to the eighth floor of our same building. For Laurie it's a move from Four Corners to downtown Silver Spring.
We made the move to enable all four of us to be together in one place, and to give us room to house an in-house sandtray collection,which will be set up within the next few weeks.
Catherine Lowry