Workshop presented to therapists in training and residents of the Blanton Peale Institute.
The use or abuse of substances often creates what looks like a mental illness (depression, anxiety, bi-polar, etc) which can sometimes be resolved years after recovery. The therapist's acceptance of patients and making suggestions for recovery rather than insistence often leads to patient success. Also stressed is the patient's need to recognize that substances were abused/used due to self medication of underlying issues which patients have to deal with later in recovery with much support. At times the recovery can lead to more symptoms temporarily since the underlying issues were numbed by the patient. Often support can be obtained by outpatient substance abuse clinics, inpatient units and 12-step programs.
Bare-backing, AIDS Transmission and Cybersex - Feb. 5, 2010
Workshop for Identity House counselors
This workshop addresses the issue of cybersex, bare-backing and AIDS Transmission - which
is causing major health problems among younger gay culture who did not experience the
deaths of so many people in the 1980s and 1990s. Also a lack of self-control and not being
able to deal in a healthy way with difficult feelings (such as loneliness, rejection, anxiety, disappointment,
anger) can cause these behaviors. Self-neglect and self-harm can stem from many
past family of origin issues. Clients who do not respect their bodies and neglect the possibility
of AIDS transmission sometimes come from families where parents did not give them appropriate
attention, love, support and respect. Sometimes this inability to value one's body comes
from abuse or neglect as a child. Drug or alcohol abuse or untreated mental illness can also
lead to a lack of healthy inhibition. Fundamentally an issue of containment of difficult feelings
and difficulty with impulse control or healthy inhibition is the problem here.
Assessment Workshop for Suicide, Depression and Anxiety - Dec. 2009
Oct. 2008, May 2008 - Workshop for Identity House counselors
Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Workshop - Nov 8, 2009
Workshop for therapists of the New York State Society for Clinical Social Work - Also for
Alumni of Gestalt Association therapists for psychotherapy - Feb. 2010 & April 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.
Couple's counseling Workshop - October 27, 2009
Workshop for students of the CUNY (City University of NY - Psychology and Mental Health
counseling) - Learn how to work through common issues with couples; Gain tools for interventions
with couples