TALKS, TEACHING, AND PRESENTATIONS
I have a particular interest in training and teaching on the graduate level, and am currently pursuing adjunct opportunities to teach and train emerging psychologists and social workers.”
TEACHING:
Psychodynamic Therapy With Adults
October 2nd, 2020 - Boston College Continuing Education – Advanced Certificate Program for Social Work
Couples Counseling; Theory and Practice
Summer 2018; May to July 2018 – Boston College School of Social Work
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS INCLUDE:
Body Wisdom, Mind Sense and Metaphor
October 24th, 2019 – William James College
January 29th, 2020 – Brookline Community Mental Health
This talk attempts to bridge and integrate neuroscience and the neurobiology of social relationships, with integrative medicine, and a new current look at health, trauma and resiliency, through a mind-body lens. Essentially, it argues that to practice mental health in 2020, one needs to know about a whole host mind-body phenomena, as well as understanding neurological processes, and the outside elements to our practice that supports this level of integration. Healing and health is seen as a metaphor for what happens inside the mind, body, and soul of ourselves and the patients we work with. Discussed within the paper, includes a review of EMDR and neuroscience research with case examples, as well as oral immunology, mineral deficiency and supplements, food sensitivities, Yoga for PTSD, Cannabis, and more. It intends to bridge current and relevant hot topics within our field, with our traditional practice of mental health.
Navigating the Constantly Changing Road;
Challenging Conversations and the Journey from Mistakes to Growth Opportunities
May 5th, 2019 - Needham PTO; Resilient Kids, Nurturing Families, Strong Communities
Does it feel like it’s often hard to keep up as our kids are growing and changing? Does it feel like the rules keep changing? Constant curveballs coming our way? New and ever changing territory? How do we keep our course, and are there guidelines? If there are truly no hard and fast rules, on what basis and principles do we make strong choices and decisions for ourselves and our children? This workshop is for sharing together about how to have hard conversations about the situations that are emerging for our kids and families. This may include limits, drugs, social media and technology, friends, finances, attitude and motivation, bullying, race and class, spirituality, identity and difference, and social situations such as dating and sexuality. The intention and focus will be on parenting strategies for strong and connective communication, for building esteem and resilience in children and teens, and on generating empathy in our kids.
The Divine in Psychotherapy; Exploring the Intersection of Psychotherapy and Spirituality
March 26th, 2015 – Brookline Community Mental Health Lecture Series
April 28th, 2015 – William James College
May 14th, 2015 – private home
Many of us have “divine” moments in our clinical practice, that are not only deeply felt, but that further our work significantly. I’d like to have us together think through how we both understand and make sense of these moments, and view them as “openings” and “possibilities” that can deepen our work. I’d also like us to think more broadly, as well as more depthfully, about the relationship between psychotherapy and spirituality, and how it blends through the work in actual clinical moments. This paper explores the spirituality that underlies intersubjectivity and its related concepts, and takes a closer look at how clinical and spiritual phenomena potentially interweave. Fundamental concepts in clinical practice, will be discussed in this light, including enactment, parallel process, potential space, intergenerational transmission of trauma, repetition compulsion, projective identification. The intent is to both de-mystify these phenomena, as well as view them as potential openings for the uncanny and spontaneous in our work. Theorists who may offer some insight include Freud, Jung, Winnecott, Ogden, Bion, Bollas, Bromberg, and Stern. Spirituality is examined through the lens of a psychodynamic/psychoanalytic orientation, but can be applicable and present through other modalities as well. Clinical vignettes are included to present how exploring this dimension, or our facile use of it, can enhance or move the work, as well as change and deepen the experience for therapist and patient alike.
Unlikely Bedfellows: Integrating the Dual Modalities of EMDR and Psychodynamic Practice: A Case Presentation
October 24th, 2013 – Brookline Community Mental Health Lecture Series
December 3rd, 2013 – Massachusetts School for Professional Psychology (MSPP)
March 13th, 2014 - The Stone Center at Wellesley College
Some would argue that these two ways of working are diametrically opposed and might not well complement. In this presentation, the potential relationship between the two modalities will be explored, and a case illustration will be offered, to demonstrate the advantage of using both avenues to together deepen the work. The case illustration is one that incorporates a patient with a double life, as well as unusual sexual interests. Is it possible that integrating two modalities of practice could assist in integrating two conflicting sides of an individual? A conversation will be facilitated about in what manner these two orientations of practice can be incorporated toward similar aims of achieving both insight and understanding, as well as measurable and sustainable shift and outcome.
Transference and Countertransference with Divorcing Couples: Tricks of the Trade
March 20, 2012 - Metrowest Collaborative Divorce Practice Group
November 15th, 2012 - Southshore Practice Group
Pillow Fight or Pillow Talk? Inside a Couple Treatment
June 3rd, 2011 - Greater Boston Mental Health Networking Group
Being There and Showing Up:
The Dance of Relationship and The Hook in the Other
May 31st 2009 - New England Center for Existential Therapy
This conversation explores intersubjectivity from a phenomenological perspective. It includes a focus on multiple layers of experience of being-in-the presence of an/other. Concepts will include rediscovering “aliveness” in contemporary psychoanalytic thinking, and the mutual and reciprocal impact of client and therapist. Other concepts will include affect regulation, attachment, and the phenomena of projective identification. Implications for technique and treatment will be explored through clinical theory and vignettes.
Beyond Countertransference: When Existential Intimacy Fails
May 6th, 2007 - New England Center for Existential Therapy
Have you had the experience of hearing aspects of your own life and experience reflected through your client’s voice? Have you ever thought you were doing treatment with your “shadow self?” This talk will look at the phenomena of synchronicity and twinship in the clinical relationship, as well as a look at an existential approach to treating Borderline Personality Disorder. These concepts will largely be explicated by presenting a personal example of twinship within a therapeutic relationship. Issues of countertransference, intimacy, and decisions around navigating merger and separation will be highlighted. Additionally, we will examine how the phenomena of twinship might potentially enhance and deepen the treatment in meaningful ways. We will also discuss how to survive when a personally charged clinical relationship fails or ends.
Encounter; Relationality and the Space Between: Journey to the Self
March 7th, 2004 - New England Center for Existential Therapy
Existential Moments in Clinical Supervision
November 1st, 2002 - New England Center for Existential Therapy
Disclosure, Hiddeness, and Intimacy; An Existential Look at Authenticity in the Therapeutic Relationship
May 2002 - New England Center for Existential Therapy
Existential Therapy and Resiliency
May 1st, 2000 - New England Center for Existential Therapy
Courses Taught or Developed for MSPP’s Extension School
Fall Course - Trauma and Meaning Making
Spring Course - Disclosure, Hiddeness, and Intimacy
Alternate Course - Being With Being From Birth to Death
Alternate Course - Synchronicity and Twinship; Parallel Journeys and Countertransference in the Clinical Relationship
