Transforming Energy Psychology into a Comprehensive, Transpersonal Psychotherapy
~ Pre-Conference one day Workshop with Michael Mayer, Ph.D. ~
Date: May 28, 2015
Location: 17th International Energy Psychology Conference, Hyatt Hotel, Reston, VA.
Register: Conference Registration is at this link.
Description:
The field of Energy Psychology can be enriched by drawing from its wider root system in transpersonal psychotherapy, often called the fourth force of psychology. Transpersonal psychotherapy includes traditional psychotherapeutic methods as well as cross-cultural, East-West, mind-body approaches to healing that connect us with the wider whole of which we are apart—-this wider whole includes “energy.” In this presentation, participants will see how various transpersonal modalities such as symbolic process methods of healing and traditions of postural initiation (including Qigong), can add to energy psychology interventions in cases involving anxiety, panic disorder, hypertension, chronic pain, insomnia, and trauma. Theory, case illustrations, and demonstration will be used to see how one transpersonal psychotherapy, Bodymind Healing Psychotherapy, functions as an integral approach to energy psychology.
• For more about the history of Transpersonal Psychology and the presenter’s definition of, and perspective on, Transpersonal Psychotherapy, please click on this link.
• To see how this approach to integrating energy psychology with Qigong relates to Dr Mayer’s research on “traditions of postural initiation:” see this review, “The ins and outs of ‘Energy Psychology'” Duluth News Tribune, 2009.
Biography:
Michael Mayer, Ph.D., is a psychologist, Qigong/Tai Chi teacher, co-founding faculty member of JFK University’s Transpersonal Psychology Program, and co-founder of a multi-disciplinary medical clinic. He is an award-winning author of twenty transpersonal psychology publications including his two books Bodymind Healing Psychotherapy: Ancient Pathways to Modern Health, and Energy Psychology: Self-Healing Practices for Bodymind Health.
Content Outline:
First session (90 minutes): Transforming Energy Psychology into a Comprehensive, Transpersonal Psychotherapy {90 minutes}
A. A new origin myth for psychotherapy {20’}
B. Broadening and deepening Energy psychology into an Integral Transpersonal Psychotherapy. Its roots in traditional and transpersonal approaches to psychotherapy:( i.e. Psychodynamic, Jungian, Gendlin’s focusing, symbolic process modes of healing, cross cultural traditions of postural initiation such as Qigong), 20’},
C. Case Illustration: Using transpersonal, cross-cultural somatic healing methods in psychotherapy: Carpal tunnel syndrome and anxiety case illustrations {50’}
Second session (90 minutes): Integrating Qigong into Behavioral Healthcare and Psychotherapy {90 Minutes}
A. Demonstration of Qigong movements as a complementary treatment for behavioral health: relaxation, energizing, limbering joints, hypertension, balance and prevention of falls in the elderly somatic complaints, chronic diseases, reversing sympathetic nervous system fight/flight for trauma etc.{30’}
B. Case illustrations: Hypertension, chronic pain, trauma {30’}
C. What Qigong gives psychotherapy:Brief mention reference Handout {5’)
D. The Mythic Journey Process (25′)
Third session (90 minutes):An Integral Approach to Using the Essence of Qigong in Psychotherapy Without Using Qigong Movements {90 Minutes}
A. The Mythic Journey Process-Dyads {30′}
B. The Age-old Roots of Energy Psychology in East/West Traditions-Slide Show {30’}
C. Transpersonal Psychology Perspective on what Creates Change in Psychotherapy? {30’}
1. Psychotherapy as Changing your Life Stance, Transmuting internalizations with body-based psychotherapy, Case Examples: Social phobia, sexual trauma.
2. Knowledge of Qigong/ Tai Chi stances enhances awareness of somatic changes at moments of “felt shift” (Gendlin,1978) in psychotherapy, and enhances anchoring of these new life stances. Case illustration: Abusive parent.
Fourth session (90 minutes):Demonstration, Research and Ethics {90 Minutes}
A. Demonstration of Bodymind Healing Psychotherapy (BMHP) transpersonal energy-psychology methods-with Audience member {30’}
B. Questions re application of BMHP {20’}
C. Research & Ethics {20’}
D. Summary and Final Questions {20’}
Regarding the Presenter’s Background in applying this Transpersonal, Energy Psychology Approach in Psychotherapy.
A. Dr. Mayer was a co-founding faculty member of John F. Kennedy University’s Transpersonal Psychology Program where he trained therapists for twelve years in this integral, transpersonal energy psychology approach (1978-1991).
B. Dr. Mayer recently presented his approach at two annual Association for Transpersonal Psychology conferences, which along with his university teaching, two books, and conference presentations on the subject, helped to establish this form of energy psychology as a form of Transpersonal Psychology:
C. Past Conference Presentations On Transpersonal Psychotherapy:
• February, 18, 2012 Association for Transpersonal Psychology Conference,
Bodymind Healing in Psychotherapy: Towards an Integral Transpersonal Psychology ,
Menlo Park, CA.
• February 13, 2010, Association of Transpersonal Psychology Conference,
Bodymind Healing Psychotherapy: Towards an Integral, Transpersonal Psychotherapy,
Menlo College, Atherton CA.
D. Dr Mayer’s approach to an integral, transpersonal energy psychology in two of his books have been positively reviewed by David Lukoff, Ph.D., co-president of The Association of Transpersonal Psychology:
The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, Vol. 44, No. 1, 2012, Review of
Bodymind Healing Psychotherapy and Energy Psychology, Reviewer David Lukoff, Ph.D.”
Suggested Books for this Workshop:
• Mayer, M. (2007). Bodymind Healing Psychotherapy: Ancient Pathways to Modern Health (Bodymind Healing Publications)
• Mayer, M. (2009). Energy Psychology: Self -healing Methods of Bodymind Health (North Atlantic/Random House).
• For a more extensive list of the Presenter’s Publications (Click on Link). A Selected Bibliography of Other Authors: Will be available to conference attendees.