Transpersonal Psychology

This is perhaps one of the fastest growing areas in the field of psychology and counseling today. Why? Because it encompasses the WHOLE. All of you. Fantastic progress has been made in the behavioral sciences regarding how people can change and how people heal. You’ve probably heard of art therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, REBT, brief therapy, reality therapy, and plenty of others. All have positive attributes and are effective in what they do. In fact, I use each of those listed in my own practice. Most techniques offer wonderful ways to figure out what’s going on with your thoughts and how that is affecting your behavior. Art therapy helps tap into the other side of your brain where trauma is stored (the reason why just talking about something bad that happened doesn’t always make it all better). Brief therapy is great because it helps you set goals, figure out how to execute them, and watch them happen! But underneath our thoughts, emotions, normal patterns of behavior, and even our past experiences, lies something deeper. You may choose to call this sense of your self whatever you like, and although many consider this the “spiritual” part of themselves, you do not need to be religious or “spiritual” in order to understand that sense of inner voice. That underlying river of motivation.

The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in California (one of the leading schools in the field) explains it as “a full spectrum psychology that encompasses all of this [traditional psychology] and then goes beyond it ... to the immanent and transcendent dimensions of human experience: exceptional human functioning, experiences, performances and achievements, true genius, the nature and meaning of deep religious and mystical experiences, non-ordinary states of consciousness, and how we might foster the fulfillment of our highest potentials as human beings.”

This is possible for everyone. It does not discriminate to any one religious affiliation or belief system. And that is my goal: to bring this deeper, full spectrum of yourself paradigm to you. You don’t have to study the mystical, or take on “new age” ideas. But pushing yourself to create a life that doesn’t settle for less than your potential... taking into consideration all parts of you-- WILL push you past fixing a few bad behaviors or thought patterns. You are more than your thoughts, you are more than your emotions. You are even more than what you do. We will have a fantastic and exciting time exploring this during part of the workshop. You’ll see. And you might just laugh. And feel inspired for life all over again!


Eco-psychology

Ecopsychology actually includes many ideas, but for the purpose of its use at the workshop I will share the following explanation from our wonderful friends at Wikipedia: “The basic idea of ecopsychology is that while the human mind is shaped by the modern social world, it can be readily inspired and comforted by the wider natural world, because that is the arena in which it originally evolved. Mental health or unhealth cannot be understood simply in the narrow context of only intrapsychic phenomena or social relations. One also has to include the relationship of humans to other species and ecosystems. These relations have a deep evolutionary history; reach a natural affinity within the structure of their brains and they have deep psychic significance in the present time, in spite of urbanization. Humans are dependent on healthy nature not only for their physical sustenance, but for mental health, too. The destruction of ecosystems means that something in humans also dies.”

That was a mouthful. But there is more I’d like to include:

“An important part of ecopsychological practice is to take psychotherapy out of office buildings and homes and put it into the open. A simple walk in the woods, even in a city park, is refreshing, because that is what humans have over thousands of years evolved to do. The beneficial effects of natural settings, and even of looking at pictures of landscapes, can be measured. They have been verified in psychological studies.
Steps taken to accept and notice nature can sharpen the senses and give new skills. For example, the ability to track and navigate through a wilderness is improved if nature is noticed and accepted rather than feared. Sailors who appreciate the sea gain a keen sense for breeze directions, giving them speed over water. An appreciation for nature gives greater skills in its domain. While these survival skills may not be needed in modern society, they can have broader value by improving confidence and awareness. Ecopsychology explores how to make links and bonds with nature. It considers that this is worth doing, because when nature is explored and viewed without judgement, it gives the sensations of harmony, balance, timelessness and stability.”

Harmony, balance, timelessness, and stability. Wow. Sounds great right?

Experiential Therapy

Experiential Therapy is what it sounds. It does not occur simply by sitting on a couch in an office and talking about your problems. But it is also not limited to any one type of activity. Most of us can claim that we learn by doing right? Well, why not use this more readily when we are trying to learn about the deeper parts of ourselves? Experiential calls on other paradigms for explanation-- like Gestalt, Family, Reality, etc. (All well established approaches). It is widely effective and very popular as a treatment for teenagers and children. (Often in the form of Wilderness Therapeutic Programs!) In my experience, I’d say that the only reason it hasn’t hit mainstream for adults is the obvious: the barrier of time and responsibilities. When it has been used, it works. Again, this is why I created these workshops, to overcome the barriers and make a wonderful experience of self discovery possible. For you!

These three paradigms are the building blocks for the workshop. I’d like to note though, that any productive counseling process, creative retreat, or journey into self discovery requires creativity, flexibility, openness, fun, and a whole other assortment of tools I’ll be bringing in my “toolbox” as counselor and facilitator.

So, are you excited yet? Then REGISTER while there are still spaces available. Do you still have questions? Please don’t hesitate then to contact me.