President s Message The Good Psychologist

Transcription

1 President s Message TheGoodPsychologist AttheAnnualMeetinginJanuary,Dr.AndrewPojmansuccinctlycutthroughall themysteryandinsecuritywecanhaveaboutourrolewithourpatients.instead oftryingtoheal,fix,makehappyorbefriend,andysaidhisjobwas, justtobea goodpsychologist. Nowtoeachofus,thatmightmeansomethingdifferent.Beagoodpsychologist. Certainlyitmeansdifferentthingsindifferentsettings.InmyconsultingroomI useonesetoftools.thoseofuswhoworkinforensicsettings,othertools.for thoseofuswhoworkwithfamiliesothers.tobeagoodpsychologist,wedon t confuseoursetting,orusetoolsthatwedon tknowhowtohandle. Inadditiontochangingtools,indifferentsettingswechangeperspectives.Inthe consultingroomikeepmypoliticalvaluestomyself.asapsychologistinthe greaterworld,iactinaccordancewithmyunderstandingofwellbeinganduse myvoice.understandingtheimpactsocialrealityhasonusall,ifeelan imperativetodowhaticantopromoteahealthierworld.nuclearnon proliferation,reductionofgreenhousegasses Peoplewhofeelsaferarebetter, calmerpeople. Aspartofacommunityofpsychologists,Iworktoprotectourprofession.Ilike thephrase,enlightenedselfinterest.ifourprofessionisstrongwecanusethat strengthtopushforwardouragendaofpromotingmentalhealth.inresearch,in occupationalsettings,inschools,inthemilitary,inhospitalswehavethe backgroundtobethemind/bodyspecialists,theoneswhomeasureoutcomes effectively,theanalystwhoseestheglitchinthepattern,theexpertwhocan connectindividualsandgroupstotheirownhealingpotentials. Intherecent Monitor,APAPresidentJamesBraywroteabouttheimportanceof psychologists involvementinpolitics.thenuggetiamstilldigestingis, Whatare thecriticalcomponentsofhavingpoliticalinfluence?relationships,personal stories,moneyanddata inthatorder. Weaspsychologists,embeddedina politicalreality,intheinterestofourworld,ourprofessionandourclients,need toattendtothedetailsofpoliticalrelationship.theseareourtoolsandwecan improveonhowwehandlethem. Ourassociationhasbeenassailingthemembershipwithcallstoactionthis month.wehopetoadvanceaprovenfriendtothenationallevel.onceagain, wemustdefendourlicensingboardfromamisguidedelimination.i mwritingin advanceoftheoutcomes.ihopewedidourjob,asgoodpsychologists. IN THIS ISSUE Interview with Dr. Ed Abramson 2 Good News from Sacramento 2 Calendar of Events 3 APA Seeks to Secure Psychologists Role on National Health Reform 4 Affect, Attachment, Behavior, Cognition A Workshop by Paul Wachtel, Ph.D. 5-7 Reconceptualizing the Container 8-9 Groups 10 COCOBoardofDirectors President:CandiaSmith,DMH (925) PastPresident:KarynGoldbergBoltz, Ph.D.(925) PresidentElect:SusanO'Grady,Ph.D. (925) Secretary:BarbaraPeterson,Ph.D. (925) Treasurer:KarenO.Smith,Ph.D. (925) MembershipChair:ShendlTuchman, Psy.D.(925) Information&ReferralServiceChair: MichaelCheney,Psy.D.(925) AmyChambliss,Psy.D.(925) NewsletterEditor:SarahE.Wood,Ph.D. (925) ProgramCommitteeCoChairs: K.KerstinGutierrez,Psy.D.(925) SusanSnyder,Ph.D.(925) CLASPRepresentatives: BarbaraPeterson,Ph.D.(925) EllinSadur,Psy.D.(925) x6 GovernmentAffairsCPARep: EdwardAbramson,Ph.D.(925) DisasterResponseChair: MargeJoehnk,Ph.D.(925) MediaRelations:SusanO'Grady,Ph.D. (925) Historian:DierdreMoriarty,Ph.D. ContraCostaPsychologicalAssociation2009SummerNewsletter~

2 Howdidyouendupinthefieldofpsychology? WhenIwasafreshmanIhadtopickamajor.Thereweren'tmanychoicesandIknewIdidn'twanttostudyanythingI'dhadinhigh schoolsothatleftengineering,politicalscienceandpsychology.ipickedpsychology,andafterayearortwodecidedireallylikeditso I'dhavetogotograduateschool. Doyouhaveparticularareasofinterestthatinfluencethetypeofpracticeyouhave? IdidmyPhDdissertationonobesityandI'vebeenhookedeversince(fixatedattheoralstage?).Forseveralyears,whileIwasaProf. atchicostateiwasalsodirectoroftheeatingdisordercenteratcommunityhospital.whenthehospitalwassoldandthecenter closediwentbacktoamoretraditionalprivatepractice.now,peoplewitheatingandweightproblemsareabout25%ofmycaseload. IlikeitbetterwhenIseeamixoffolkswitheating,anxiety,mood,sexualorrelationshipproblems. Areyouinvolvedinotheractivitiesoutsideofyourpractice?Ifso,whatarethey? MyLafayettepracticeisparttimewhichgivesmetheopportunitytodoavarietyofotherthings.LatelyI'vebeentravelingtopresent continuingeducationworkshopsfororganizationsincludingpesi,apaintoronto,ucberkeley,ucmerced,etc.i'mjuststartingtodo workshopsforthegeneralpubliconpreventingchildhoodobesity.also,twoofmybooksarestillinprintsoidosomepromotional activitiesincludinginterviewswithvariousmagazines,andijusthadacd,"overcomingstressrelatedemotionaleating"published.in ChicoIdidpsychologyfeaturesonseverallocalradioandTVstations.I'dliketodothatagain.WhenI'mnotbeingapsychologistItend tobusinessinterests,ridemymotorcycle,andilovetotravel.(afewcocopsychmembersaskedmeaboutmyrecentcubatrip.as soonasi'mfinishededitingmyphotos,i'llpostthemonsnapfish). Whatdoyoufindmostchallenginginyourworkasapsychologist? WorkingwithanorexicsisprobablythemostchallengingthingIdoasapsychologist.Sittingwithasilent,sullen,helprejectingyoung personcanbequitechallengingespeciallysincetherearenogoodcuresandthere'sa1020%mortalityassociatedwithanorexia. Doyouhaveanyideasaboutwhatdirectionthefieldofpsychologyisgoing? Ithinkthefutureofprofessionalpsychologyhasyettobedetermined.Inpart,itwilldependonthenatureofhealthcarereformthat's coming.bestcasescenario:psychologistswillbeanintegralpartofprimarycaregrouppractices,perhapswritingsomeofthose prescriptionsforssri'sandbenzodiazapines.worstcasescenario:psychologistswillhaveagenericmentalhealthlicenseandwillbe fightingwithmft's,lcsw's,licensedprofessionalcounselors,andalcoholanddrugcounselorsforeverdecreasingmanagedcare reimbursement.ifthegovernorsucceedsincreatingaboardofmentalhealthwewillbefeelingthedisastrouseffectslongafterthe currenteconomiccrisishasbeenresolved.onalargerscale,ithinkpsychologistshavealottocontributetopublicpolicydecision making.weneedtobecarefulthoughasidon'tthinkanyoneisinterestedinlisteningtouspontificatebasedsolelyonclinical experienceandgoodintentions.ontheotherhand,ourresearchfindings(afterall,thatiswhatdifferentiatesusfromothermental healthproviders)canhelppromotesocialchangee.g.,brownvs.boardofeducation,amicusbriefchallengingprop.8.) WhatgotyouinterestedinGovernmentaffairs? Untilthelastfewyears,Ididn'thaveanyinterestinpublicpolicyaffectingpsychology.IbecametheContraCostarepontheCPABoard mostlybecausenooneelsewantedtogotolaforweekendmeetings.afterattendingseveralmeetingsibecameawareofsomeof thedozensofbillsintroducedinthelegislatureeachyearthatcouldaffectwhatwedoaspsychologists.i'mveryimpressedwiththe workthatamandaandchuckdomonitoringthebillsandlobbyingforcpa.i'dhatetothinkwhatthepracticeofpsychologywouldbe likewithoutcpa'swork.rightnow,it'simportantthatalllicensedpsychologistswritetotheirstatesenatorsandassemblypersonsto protestthemergingoftheboardofpsychologyintoagenericboardofmentalhealth,butoverthelongerterm,it'simportanttojoin CPAbecausenooneelseinSacramentoislookingoutforourinterests. Interview with Dr. Ed Abramson ContraCostaPsychologicalAssociation2009SummerNewsletter~

3 Good News from Sacramento on the Governor s Attempt to Eliminate the BOP 2009 CALENDAROFEVENTS JuneQuarterlyMeeting Dr.ShendlTuchmanon CollaborativeDivorce (Rescheduled,TBA) Summer Nomeetingsscheduled September24 th QuarterlyMeeting TheImpactofHomeworkon LearningandEmotional Development: ByDr.RichardPollack, Dr.SusanO Grady,and Dr.KerstinGutierrez Fall/TBA CollaborativeDivorce: ByDr.ShendlTuckmanand Dr.KerstinGutierrez Thefollowingisacopyofan thatwasdisseminatedby AmandaLevy,CPADirectorofGovernmentAffairs HiAll, I'mhappytoreportthattheSenateBusandProfcommitteevoted72to REJECTtheGovernor'sproposaltoconsolidatetheBOPwiththeBBSand PsychTechs.Allaffectedprofessionstestifiedagainsttheproposal,withDr. JackieHornprovidingtestimonyonbehalfofCPA. AllDemocratsonthecommitteevotedagainsttheproposal(exceptfor SenatorLouCorreawhovotetomergeonEVERYproposal).Republican SenatorMarkWylandvotedagainsttheproposal,whileSenatorMimi Waltersvotedfortheproposal.SenatorAanestadwasnotpresentatthe hearing.senatoryeeofferedveryhelpfulcommentsaboutthedifferences betweentheprofessions. NextSteps: TheCommitteerecommendationwillbepassedontotheBudget conferencecommittee.ispokewiththebudgetcommitteestaffanditis unclearwhethertheissuewillbeheardinthelastdayofbudgethearings tomorrow.ithinkthey'lldeferhearingsontheitemsuntilafterthe conferencecommitteeprocess.thebusandprofcommitteewillthen moveforwardwiththeboardstheyapprovedtomerge...whichisgoodfor us. I'mnot100%surewe'reoutofthewoods,butwe'reontherightpath. Amanda AmandaLevy DirectorofGovernmentAffairs CaliforniaPsychologicalAssociation THANKSTOEVERYONEWHORESPONDEDTOTHECALLFORACTION! ContraCostaPsychologicalAssociation2009SummerNewsletter~

4 APA Seeks to Secure Psychologists Role on National Health Reform AsthePresidentaffirmshisdesiretoreformhealthcare,theAmerican PsychologicalAssociation(APA)PracticeOrganizationislobbying policymakerstopasshealthreformthatintegratespsychologicalservicesin primarycare,preventiveservicesandbenefitpackages. Editor'sNote:Californiapsychologists,withsupportfromCPA,wereheavily representedinthegrassrootslobbyingofcongressthatisreportedbelow..duringamarch12breakfastheldinherhonor,speakerofthehouse NancyPelosi(DCA)discussedplanstomovehealthcarereformlegislation thatfocusesonaffordability,qualityandaccessibility.peternewbould praisedpelosi'sleadershiponparityandurgedhertosupportthemind bodyconnectioninhealthreformbyintegratingpsychologicalservices intoprimarycare,preventionandhealthinsurancebenefitpackages. NewbouldalsotalkedwithPelosi'stophealthaide,whopredictedthat Medicarechangesandhealthreformwouldmovetogetherinonebillthis year.pelosi'shealthcarefellowsaidthatshehadasubstantivemeeting withcaliforniapsychologistsduringslcandsheappreciatedtheexpertise theybroughttothetable.atabreakfastforsen.arlenspecter(rpa)on Feb.26,Mr.Newbouldthankedthesenatorforsupportingparityand suggestedthathebuildonthatachievementbyintegratingpsychologists andpsychologicalservicesintoprimarycareinareformedhealthsystem. ToprovidefeedbacktotheeditorofPROGRESSNOTES, Tounsubscribefromthisnewsletter,pleasesendablank withthe CaliforniaPsychologicalAssociation,2009 AllRightsReserved(Thecompletearticleislocatedatcpapsych.org) Relocation TheresaM.Schuman,PhD AnnouncestheRelocationofHer PsychotherapyandAssessment PracticewithChildren,Adultsand FamiliesSpecializinginDivorce RelatedIssuesandAbuse Allegations 3468Mt.DiabloBlvd, SuiteB203 Lafayette,Ca Tel: Fax: TheContraCostaPsychologicalAssociationis anactivegroupofprofessionalscommitted toadvancingthescienceandprofessionof psychologyandservingcontracostacounty. Office Available Lovelyofficeintwoofficesuite availableindowntown Pleasanton,oneblockwestof MainStreet'srestaurantsand shopping.largewaiting room/grouproom. Easyfreewayaccess. $665/month($1.75/sq.ft.). CallEnidSanders,Ph.D. (925) ContraCostaPsychologicalAssociation2009SummerNewsletter~

5 Affect, Attachment, Behavior, Cognition A Workshop Presented by Paul L. Wachtel, Ph.D. SummaryandCommentsbyBruceH.Feingold,Ph.D. PaulWachtel,oneoftheleadersoftheintegrationpsychotherapymovement,recentlypresentedaworkshop, Affect, Attachment, Behavior, Cognition. Many of the ideas from the workshop are found in his seminal book, Therapeutic Communication: Knowing What to Say When, an APA bestseller.in this book Wachtel challenges the dichotomiesbetweenschoolsofpsychotherapyandmovesseamlesslybetweentheoryandtechnique.hisdescription ofwhatpsychotherapistsactuallysayduringtreatmentishighlyusefulandstimulating. In his newest book, Relational Theory and the Practice of Psychology, he places his ideas squarely into the relationalmodel.fortherapistswhoareseekingacogentmodeltointegratepsychodynamics,directive,supportive techniques,andrelationalmodes,theseworksareabreathoffreshair. Wachtel presents the evolution of two fundamental concepts of psychotherapy: intrapsychic conflict and transference.hetraceshowstrictfreudianismconceptualizedunconsciousconflictassealedwishesandfixationsand thesoledeterminantofbehavior.thus,therapistsonlyfocusonpatients childhoodtraumaandunconsciousfantasies anddenytheeffectofcurrentinterpersonal,social,andfamilyreality. WhileWachteladherestotheprimaryroleofconflictanddefenseinmentallife,heelaboratesonwhathecalls cyclical psychodynamics, the name derives from the two central features of the theory its origin in the psychodynamictraditionandthecentralroleitgivestorepetitivecyclesofreciprocalcausationbetweenintrapsychic processesandtheeventsofdailylife. Wachtelsuggestswecreate accomplices incurrentlifetoconfirmunhealthy beliefs about relationships and ourselves. Hence, he ties together the analytic idea of unconscious conflict with the behavioralandfamilysystemnotionsthatpathologicalrelationshipsarecreatedandreinforcedintheenvironment. SinceWacthelproposesthatactualeventsinfluenceinnerrealty,thetherapisthelpsthepatientunderstandthe interconnectionbetweenunconsciousconflictsandhisorhercurrentsituation.wachtel sworkfitsmyperceptionthat traditional analytic therapists may become stuck examining the patient s inner life, deny the effects of a patients externalworld,andarelesslikelytohelppatientsdirectlydealwith reality. InWachtel smodelthetherapistworks freelybetweeninternalandexternalrealities. Regardingtheconceptoftransference,WachteltraceshowFreudinitiallyviewedthetherapyrelationshipas exclusivelyrelatedtotransference.thismodelsetsuptheideaofthetherapistasneutral,objectiveandomniscientand ContraCostaPsychologicalAssociation2009SummerNewsletter~

6 thepatientasirrationalandsick.hence,theanalystchallengedthepatients defenses,which,inwachtel sview,may leadatherapisttobeingcritical,accusatory,orattacking. Wachtel alternatively espouses the relational perspective that there are always two people in the room embedded in a relational matrix. The therapeutic relationship is less authoritative and more collaborative. The therapist doesn t break down the patient s defenses but attempts to establish a safe environment.the therapist achieves this goal by understanding the patient s anxieties, being exploratory and not accusatory, not acting as an accomplice andenactingahealthierrelationshipinthehereandnow. To give you an example from his handout, under the title, Addressing the Patient s Anxiety Instead of ConfrontingHimwithHisFaults, Wachtelcontraststheseinterpretations, Ithinkyou rebeingsilentbecauseyou re hidingalotofanger, or You redenyinghowangryyouare, withthesealternatives: Ihavethesensethatyou re angry,butfeelyou renotsupposedtobe, or Iwonderifyou restayingsilentbecauseyoufeelyouhadbetternotsay anything if what you re feeling is anger. In the former, Wactel argues that the therapist is authoritative and has a criticaltone,while,inthelatter,thetherapistaddressesthepatient sunderlyinganxietyinanonaccusatoryway. In addition to revising the pivotal ideas of intrapsychic conflict and transference, Wachtel integrates psychoanalytic theory and behaviorism.for instance, Wachtel explores how exposure is a common principle of psychotherapy.whenatherapistrepeatedlyexploreswithhispatientawardedoff,anxietyprovokingfeeling,thought orbehavior,he exposes apatienttothefearedstimulus.thisistheessenceof workingthrough. Werepeatedly discussanewideawithapatientuntilheorshefeelslessanxiousandmoreaccepting. Wachtelchallengesmanyputativedifferencesbetweenpsychotherapymodels,suchastheexploratory,non directive techniques versus directive interventions. He bridges the gap between directive and nondirective interventionsbysuggestingthatasapatientunderstandshisissues,thepatientmayask, NowthatIunderstand,what doido? Itisoftenbeneficialtoactivelyassistapatienttranslatehisorherinsightintoaction.Atherapistmaysupport changethrougheducationandsuggestion.inotherwords,forsomepatients,insightisnotenough.thiscountersthe unsatisfyingexperienceofpatientswhofeeltheirtherapists, justexploredmyfeelings,didn tsayanythinganddidn t givemeanytools. However,unlikedirectiveapproacheswithoutanygroundinginthepatient sinnerworld,directiveinterventions are based on an understanding of unconscious conflicts, defenses and healthy aspirations. Wachtel, like all master therapists,isdeeplyempathic totheindividual sanxieties,perceivesthewaysweholdontoselfdefeatingwaysand appreciatesthecomplexitiesofchange.inmyview,thisunderstandingofhumanbehaviorultimatelyseparatesusfrom counselors,coachesortechnicians. ContraCostaPsychologicalAssociation2009SummerNewsletter~

7 AfterWachtelintroducesamodel,whichsynthesizesnondirectiveandactiveinterventions,wecomefaceto facewiththeissueoftherapeuticneutrality.theclassicalmodelusthatbylistening,remainingrelativelyquiet,andnot makingdirectsuggestionswecouldremainneutral.wachtelrevisestheideaoftheneutral, objective therapist.his compelling chapters on affirmation, suggestion, selfdisclosure, and emphasizing strengths demonstrate how to use behavioral,activeprinciplestostrengthendynamictherapy. ThetitleofWachtel sworkshopreflectshisintegrationorientation. First,attachmentistheprimaryprincipleofhumanhealthanddysfunction.Intermsoftherapy,thelastfortyyearsof psychotherapyresearchunequivocallydemonstratethatthetherapybond,nottechniqueorourparticularschool,isthe bestpredictorofsuccessfulpsychotherapy. Secondly, dynamic therapy continues to highlight the patient s affective experience.the exploration and expressionofaffectcontinuestobeatherapeuticmainstay.patientswanttotelltheirstoryandexpresstheirfeelings. But, Wachtel also recognizes that cognition forms an equal partnership with affect in mental life. While Wachtel s therapy is not manualized or systematic like formal cognitive therapy, he helps patients examine their patterns of pathologicalthoughtsanddiscoverhealthierwaystothinkaboutthemselves.expressionandreflectionaretheyinyang ofpsychotherapy. Finally, Wachtel demonstrates how dynamic therapists may directly help patients change their behavior.he uses behavioral, active techniques to complement dynamic interventions.as an integrative psychotherapist I have alwaysfoundthatmostpatients,duringtherapyandwithinsessions,shiftbetweenfeelings,thoughtsandbehavior.the integrative therapist creatively utilizes affective, cognitive and behavioral techniques in the best interest of their patients. WeinviteyoutoutilizetheCCPANewsletterasaformatforsharingyourknowledge andinformationwithyourcolleagues,therebywiththecommunityatlarge. Thefollowingdatesaresubmissiondeadlinesforfuturepublications: September15,2009(FallNewsletter) January15,2010(WinterNewsletter) April15,2010(SpringNewsletter)Thesedatesaresubjecttochange Thefollowingpricesareineffectforadvertisements: ¼PageAd$30½PageAd$60¾PageAd$100 (AdvertisementforofficespaceisfreetoCCPAmembers) submissionsbythedeadlinetosarahewoodphd@yahoo.com ContraCostaPsychologicalAssociation2009SummerNewsletter~

8 Reconceptualizing the Container EXPANDINGTHEAPPLICATIONOFATTACHMENTOFATTACHMENTTHEORYINWORKINGWITHMEN byacpamember,jeffsharp,ph.d. AdaptedbytheauthorfromarticlewithsametitlepublishedinViewpoint(TheNewsletterofThePsychotherapyInstitute), March/April2008.Forfulltextseewww.DrJeffSharp.com. Giventhepreponderanceofmaleviolence,depression,addictions,andburiedtraumainourculture,aswellasthe underutilizationofpsychotherapybymen(rabinowitzandcochran,2001),itisimportantnottoalienatemenwhentheyseek psychotherapy.themajorityofmyclientsaremen,soi vehadnumerousopportunitiestoexperimentwithvarious approachestowarddeepeningtherapywithmaleclients.inthisarticleiwilldescribeinterventions inkedtoattachment theoryyetsometimesfalling decidedlyoutsideofthetraditionalanalyticalframe thathaveenhancedmywork.basedonmyexperience,isuggestthat activelypromotinghealingrelationshipswithindividualsotherthanthetherapistcanbecriticalinpsychotherapywithmen. Mybackgroundinexistentialhumanistictherapy,familytherapy,andgrouptherapyhasledmetoappreciatetheimportance ofdirectlyhelpingmencreatealessconstrictiveandmoresupportivesocialnetwork.iemploy informedeclecticism judiciouslyutilizingskillsdevelopedfromthesetraditionsandintegratingtheseskillswithmoretraditionalanalyticalwork whichrequirescarefullyexploringclients reactionstodirectiveinterventionsandcontinuallymonitoringthequalityofthe therapeuticalliance.whatfollowsisadescriptionofavarietyofinterventionsiroutinelyemploywithmen,particularlyinthe crucialinitialphasesoftherapywhendevelopingandstrengtheningthetherapeuticalliancethatwillfuelaclient s commitmenttothedemandingprocessofdepthpsychotherapy. PROBEREGARDINGWISHES,INTENTIONSANDWILLFULNESS WhileI mcommittedtoempathizingandhearingaboutthestrugglesandsourcesofpaininaman slife,ifinditessentialto explorewhathewouldliketoseedifferent,whathehopestogetfromtherapy,andhislevelofcommitmentordedicationto thisendeavor.persistinginthisexplorationcanstrengthenthetherapeuticallianceandhelpdiminishaman sresistanceto talkingforeveraboutmyfeelingsandmychildhood. Imayinquire,forexample, Giventheabuseyouexperienced,what kindoffatherdoyouwanttobe? or Althoughyoufeelfuriousandcynical,whatdoyouneedtodotoliveuptoyourown integrityasahusband(ormanager,father,employee,etc.)? Manymenfeelshameaboutbeinginpain,andevenmoreso aboutseekinghelp;iappealtotheirhonor,prideanddesireformeaningwhilehelpingthemdealwiththepain. USINGSTORIESTOIDENTIFYANDEXPANDNARRATIVES IoftenexplorethemannerinwhichamanrelatestothemythofIcarus,theGreekboywhoignoredhisfather swarningsnot toflytooclosetothesun,withdisastrousresults.manyhighlyconstricted(andshamefilled)menidentifywithicarus youthfulinflation,subsequentfailureandtheaccompanyinghumiliation,shameanddespair;theyknowaboutadevastating lossofselfesteemandassertiveness,althoughtheymaynotusethoseterms.manydriven,highlyinflatedmenrelatetothe Icarusstoryfromanotherperspective:theirfearisthatiftheystoppushingsohard,iftheyletgooftheireffortstocontrol theirenvironment,oriftheystopbeatingthemselvesupthattheytoowillcrashandburn.othermenconveydeepanger, sadnessorenvyastheydescribefeelingthattherewasneveranyoneinterestedinhelpingthemlearntofly.iemphasizeto thesementhatinmanyculturesthedeathisnottheendofthestory.ilinkthemythoficaruswiththephoenixstory:outof ashescomesnotonlyarebirth,butpotentiallyawiser,morecompassionatesurvivor.buildinguponthisimaytalkwithmen aboutthedifferencebetween cool versus soul, orexploretheirrelationshipto theblues. Thesereferenceshelpmen ContraCostaPsychologicalAssociation2009SummerNewsletter~

9 ContraCostaPsychologicalAssociation2009SummerNewsletter~ developlanguagefortheirstruggles,seetheuniversalityoftheirexperiences,andovercomeisolationandshame.hearing thephoenixstorybringsapalpablesenseofrelief,andaglimmerofhope,tomanymen.thesestorieshelpmenviewfailure notasashamefulsecretbutasaninevitableaspectofone sgrowthanddevelopment. TALKINGABOUTMASKSANDARMOR Manymenwelcometheopportunitytotalkabouttheiruseofmasksorarmor.Inormalizetheneedtoprotectoneselfduring thetrialsofchildhood,adolescenceandadulthood.itrytoprovidemenlanguage whichhelpsthemseethevalueofprotectingoneself andwhichsetsastageforlaterexaminingtheconsciousand unconsciousutilizationofsuchprotection.iexplicitlyaddresstheradicalculturalchangesinapostfeministworld,including therealitythatmanymen(and,ofcourse,women)findthemselvesinroles,situationsorrelationshipsforwhichtheyhave hadlittleornoconstructivepsychologicalpreparation.learningtojudiciouslyshedtheirarmormaycomprisethebulkof theirtherapy. STRUCTUREDEDUCATIONABOUTEMOTIONS Idirectlyandexplicitlyeducatemenaboutfeelings,particularlyinrelationtoanger,anxiety,guilt,andshame.Manymenare visiblyrelievedastheylearnadistinctionbetweenangerandhostility andthat theirangerisnotnecessarilybadordestructive.imakeapointofexploringwhetherornotmendifferentiatebetweenguilt andshame.addressingthisconceptuallyisrelativelysimple;teasingthisoutintermsoftheirembodiedexperiencerequires farmoretimeandeffort.similarly,ieducatemenaboutthefunctionofanxietyanditsrelationshiptofightorflight.iutilize metaphorsthathelpthem understandanxiety,suchastalkingaboutanoverlyreactiveanxietythermostatthatprematurelytriggersonereactionor another.italkwiththemaboutthepossibility,andimportance,ofdevelopingnewskillsandmusclesinthisrealm. SUPPORTGROUPS Iencouragemanymentodeveloporjoinsupportgroups,suchasa12stepgroup,men sgroup,oraprocessorientedtherapy group.thesegroupscanserveaspowerfulantidotestotheisolationandshamethatmanymenexperience(yetmaynotput intowords).ifindparticularlyhelpfulgroupswiththecommitmentandexpertisetoaddresshereandnowdynamics,whichis arguablythemostcriticaltherapeuticaspectofanongoinggroup.oneofthemostpowerfulandrewardingaspectsofmy practiceisleadinganongoingmixedgendertherapygroupcomprisedprimarilyofmenandwomenwhoialsotreatin individualtherapy.itisfascinating,andenormouslyvaluable,toexploreinindividualsessionswhatgetstriggeredduringthe group.thegroupbecomesalaboratoryinwhichclientscanexperimentwithbeingvulnerablewhilesimultaneouslylearning aboutprotectingoneself.individualsessionsprovideanexcellentcontexttoexamineandrefinetheseefforts.groupsalso helpmenlearnaboutthevalueofempathyandaboutthe(frequentlydestructive)tendencytotrytosolveothers problems. CONCLUSION Effectivetherapyisanorganicprocessthatmustbefundamentallylinkedtoourclients deepestwishes,feelings,andneeds. Seasonedtherapistshaveamultitudeofapproachesandinterventionstocallupon. Analyticalworkcanbeenrichedifwecontinuallyexploreourclients reactionstomoredirectiveinterventions. References: Rabinowitz,FredandCochran,Sam.DeepeningPsychotherapywithMen.APA,Washington,D.C.,2001

10 GroupsOfferedinContraCostaCounty GroupTitle: Men'sGroup Location: WalnutCreek GroupSize: 68 AgeRange: MeetingDay&Time: Monday,7:30p.m.9:00p.m. LengthofMeeting: 90Minutes GroupLeader: BruceH.Feingold,Ph.D.(925) GroupDescription: Thisisalongtermsupport/processgroupsforhighfunctioningmen. Thegoalsofthegroupareforthementodiscusstheirlivesinameaningfulandauthenticwayandtogaininsight,feedbackand support.therangeofissuesincludesmaritalproblemsanddivorce,depressionandanxiety,workdifficulties,fathering,and formingintimatemalefriendships.themenworkonfundamentalemotionalandcognitivepatternsandchallengethelimitations ofconventionaldefinitionsofmasculinity.asthemenintegrateintothegrouptheyexperienceitashighlyrewardingandmake profoundchangesintheirlives. GroupTitle: WomeninSobriety Location: MeetingonWednesdayeveningsinBerkeley GroupLeader: SaraEFisher,Ph.D.(925) saraefisherphd.com GroupDescription: Thisnewgroupisintendedforwomenworkingonsuccessfullyintegratingsobrietyintotheirlivesat homeandatwork.thegroupwillprovideasafecontextinwhichtodevelopskillsforlivingsoberinanunsoberworld:repairing andenhancingrelationships,realisticrelapsepreventionplanning,supportforthe12stepprogramandotherapproachesto recovery,considerationofcoexistingconditionssuchasanxiety,depression,bipolarspectrum,andchronicpain.understanding howandwhenmedicationsmaybeappropriateinaconfidentialandcompassionatesetting,thesewomenwillworkwithasober therapistwhohas30years experienceprovidinggroup,family,couplesandindividualtherapyinprivatepractice. GroupTitle: AHealthyDivorce/SeparationGroup TargetPopulation: Divorcedorseparatedmenandwomen Location: SanRamon GroupSize: Maximum8 AgeRange: Adult Gender: Both MeetingDay: Monday MeetingTime: 6:308pm LengthofMeeting: 1.5hours TimeLimited?: 8weekinitialcommitment GroupLeader: ShendlTuchman,Psy.D. PhoneNumber: Address: GroupDescription: Areyoudivorcedorseparated,strugglingwiththeendingofyourrelationshipandfeelingitcontinuesto bedifficulttomanage?doyousometimeswonderhowyouaregoingtogetthroughthenextconversationwithyourformer partnerorsoontobeformerpartner?iworkprimarilywithpeopleengagedinsomeaspectofdivorce:custodydecisions, communicationdifficulties,children,stepparents,etc. ContraCostaPsychologicalAssociation2009SummerNewsletter~