• While I’ve had some training in EFT (Emotion Focused Therapy), AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy) and Imago therapy, my main training has been in PACT (Psychobiologic Approaches to Therapy). I’m very excited about how effective and efficient this powerful approach can be. Read more about it here: PACT

I.  Why join a Group?

A.  All of us live our lives within groups of some kind . . . .  our family group,  a friend group,  a group at work,  a range of organizational groups   (… a book reading. . .  bowling. . .  or political group. . . . etc. ).

B.  When group members share experiences and feelings,  they discover shared universal human concerns,  helping each to feel less isolated,  validate their own experiences,  and help improve each person’s self esteem.  

C.  Learning the give-and-take in turn taking with multiple others helps develop coping styles and interpersonal skills.

D.  Some aspect of the group,  or characteristic of another group member, might remind you of a family member or some way you experienced your family of origin.  The group setting is a safe container in which to retool or repair any such earlier problematic or dysfunctional relationship(s). 

II.  What is a PROCESS THERAPY GROUP?

A. The groups I facilitate do not have a specific subject focus,  although we work on issues (content) of members’ daily lives.  Mainly, we try to focus as much as possible on here and now interactions in real time.  We learn to pay close attention to body language, to how we each regulate our own emotions, and help others regulate theirs, to how we message others  (e.g. “how do you feel about me?”/ “what I just said ?”. . . ). 

B. Learning these interpersonal tools helps to deepen how members’ understand underlying dynamics (both conscious and unconscious) and the ways we protect our feelings in such settings — whether we feel love, or confusion, or anxiety, or competition, . . . or whatever feelings or reactions might get triggered.

I.  A-B-C Principles used in my Family Systems Approach: The whole is greater than its parts.

I use a family systems approach as both an observational method and a diagnostic tool. That is, i gather data:  1- about how family members interact; 2- look for patterns of behavior now and over time; and 3- ask questions to better understand the family dynamics.

My focus is on understanding the “whole picture”, recognizing everyone’s interrelatedness, and acknowledge that multiple interventions are possible. This process uses the 5 C’s: choice, clarity, compassion, courage, and curiosity.

II. A-B-C’s of Existential Psychology Theory

A. Within the family, the goal is always to heighten each member’s capacity for self-awareness especially around issues of both individual identity as well as their role within the family group.

B. We work within each member’s tension between freedom and responsibility.

• E.g.1 Who’s responsible for which chore ( even a 3 yo can set the table);
• E.g.2 How giving an allowance to kids helps instill responsibility, & practices executive functions, like planning ahead and choice making.

We, individually or collectively, can provide organizations with consulting services focusing on the content as well as the underlying processes of organizational change and growth. 

Basic PHILOSOPHY:  Anxieties, conflicts, and resistances can infiltrate organizations at a covert level, under the radar. Organizational awareness and leaders’ expertise in understanding and working through such processes will help an organization weather change in turbulent economic periods and reach optimal functioning. 

Speaking broadly,  the Organizational goal may be to assist your organization to define a clear sense of mission and primary task.

Or the focus may be more specific,  to work with one or more executives with an Executive Coach goal to augment  leadership  and conflict resolution skills, emotional intelligence  and cultural awareness,  keener role delineation,  and whatever else our evaluation and assessment highlights. 

Whether the goals are general organizational,  or specific executive coaching,  attending to problem areas and  enhancing morale translates to greater productivity, and an increased ability for financial stability and growth as well as a more harmonious work place. 

If an organizational consultancy is complex,  I will assemble the necessary team members.