“White Fragility” Workshop
Fall 2020

“White Fragility” NY Times bestselling book discussion of white privilege & how whites find it difficult to admit to saying or did something racist. We need to stop thinking racist thoughts/actions are “bad” or “mean,” but instead, are usually unintentional. It is only in this way we can change racism systemically one by one in our society. Using member’s experiences, we challenge white privilege.

All people are invited – to start in late September or early October on Wednesday evenings from 7pm to 8:30pm for 7 weeks & therapists & clients & providers are welcome to attend. This is like a book club, but it is more like a very therapeutic discussion of the sensitivity of race issues. This workshop is not only good for people of color, but for white people who want to explore this issue in depth. We will start when we have members that make up a group. With 8 people, we would do this either on Google Meet or on Doxy.me. Best regards, Gary M. Prottas, LCSWR, LP

Grief/Loss & Bereavement Workshop
August – September 2020

• Grief is best worked through in a group setting.

• Grief is not only a death of a loved one, but also the loss of love, safety, nurturing, affection, acceptance and anything else you needed from a parent.

• Grief involves all kinds of feelings that are valid including, anger, regret, sadness, relief, numb, grateful, appreciative, lost, or guilty, and many other feelings that arise from this process. We get in touch with feelings we didn’t know we had and we learn to identify them in this group.

• In this group we will use the “Grief Recovery Handbook” written by John W. James and Russell Friedman, and we will write: (1) A Loss History Graph (as outlined in the book); (2) a letter to the person we lost with an outline I will provide; and (3) a relationship graph (as outlined in the book).

• Through this process we will also use other techniques such as a collage or grief box by the end of this process. We will determine what is forgivable and what is not and convey any undelivered emotional statements. We will also bring in photos or anything that represents the loss.

• The fee for each workshop is $70 per session. Please contact Gary M. Prottas, LCSW, LP to reserve your space. Tel # 212-645-1152 or email at Gmprottas@nyc.rr.com.

• Screenings required.

Workshop to Stop Negative Self-criticism From Taking Over Your Life

This 6 week workshop is geared to helping people to unconditionally love themselves and stop the inner critic from taking over daily. This workshop will be based on a book I will suggest & it will be an experiential experimental group with up to 9 people. People who attend do not have to be my clients- your friends are welcome.

Workshop will be held at 20 West 20 Street on Mondays from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, January 20th – February 24. The workshop will be $70 per session & insurance not taken for workshop. Please email me if you or a client or a friend are interested. All clients welcome! Men, women, gay or straight. We hope to start as soon as we get 8-9 people.

Grief/Loss & Bereavement Workshop
January 24th, 2016 for 6 weeks

• Grief is best worked through in a group setting.

• Grief is not only a death of a loved one, but also the loss of love, safety, nurturing, affection, acceptance and anything else you needed from a parent.

• Grief involves all kinds of feelings that are valid including, anger, regret, sadness, relief, numb, grateful, appreciative, lost, or guilty, and many other feelings that arise from this process. We get in touch with feelings we didn’t know we had and we learn to identify them in this group.

• In this group we will use the “Grief Recovery Handbook” written by John W. James and Russell Friedman, and we will write: (1) A Loss History Graph (as outlined in the book); (2) a letter to the person we lost with an outline I will provide; and (3) a relationship graph (as outlined in the book).

• Through this process we will also use other techniques such as a collage or grief box by the end of this process. We will determine what is forgivable and what is not and convey any undelivered emotional statements. We will also bring in photos or anything that represents the loss.

• The fee for each workshop is $60 per session. Please contact Gary M. Prottas, LCSW, LP to reserve your space. Tel # 212-645-1152 or email at Gmprottas@nyc.rr.com.

• Screenings required.

Workshop to Stop Negative Self-criticism From Taking Over Your Life
July 2015

Stop Negative self-criticism from taking over your life, closing your heart and ruining your relationships! Using the book “Healing your aloneness” in six meetings we will learn to stop the critic in his/her tracks and use our loving heart to speak to our gut to hear if we can listen to what we feel and whether we are dealing with someone/something that is dangerous or if we are creating unnecessary danger when there is none. This is a six week workshop and fee is $60 per session.

Grief/Loss & Bereavement Workshop in the Fall
2015

  • Grief is best worked through in a group setting
  • Grief is not only a death of a loved one, but also the loss of love, safety, nurturing, affection, acceptance and anything else you needed from a parent
  • Grief involves all kinds of feelings that are valid including, anger, regret, sadness, relief, numb, grateful, appreciative, lost, or guilty, and many other feelings that arise from this process. We get in touch with feelings we didn’t know we had and we learn to identify them in this group
  • In this group we will use the “Grief Recovery Handbook” written by John W. James and Russell Friedman, and we will write:

    (1) A Loss History Graph (as outlined in the book);

    (2) a letter to the person we lost with an outline I will provide; and

    (3) a relationship graph (as outlined in the book)
  • Through this process we will also use other techniques such as a collage or grief box by the end of this process. We will determine what is forgivable and what is not and convey any undelivered emotional statements. We will also bring in photos or anything that represents the loss
  • The fee for each workshop is $60 per session. Please contact Gary M. Prottas, LCSW, LP to reserve your space. Tel # 212-645-1152 or email at Gmprottas@nyc.rr.com.

Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Workshop
2009, 2010, 2013

February 2013 for Alumni of Gestalt Association therapists for psychotherapy – Feb. 2010 & April 2009; Workshop for therapists of the New York State Society for Clinical Social Work in Nov 2009 – and at LGBT Center – June 2009.

Issues for clients include: Dissociation and deadening of self; hyper-vigilance & thoughts of danger when with others; isolation to reduce anxiety; chaos in the past and perhaps repeated in the present; lack of (learned) inner support; self neglect; major (chronic) depression; victimized and resentful in present; boundaries – Inability to say “No” and set some boundaries; relationship trauma: sometimes substance use or abuse; sexual compulsion to give a client a temporary way to feel valued (sexually), and an attempt to relieve loneliness and anxiety.