Click here for our DIGITAL LINK

Over the past eight years, SPT magazine has carved a literary “path” allowing writers to network with a global audience of “like minded” practitioners.

This issue brings our path into newly discovered realms including interviews honoring colleagues who are receiving prestigious awards and columns highlighting upcoming conferences for the USABP, the EABP, and APPPAH, as well as reviews of ‘hot-off-the-press’ publications and insightful author reflections.

Each article honors a path forged by persistence and perseverance, by creativity and ingenuity. The authors whose books we reviewed, the award winners we interviewed, the reflections writers shared about their process highlight pathways that were formed one step at a time.

We invite you to read our articles and to respond to our authors. We write from a place of experience and curiosity, and we write to engage others in conversations. Each author offers an email address at the end of the article, and we have a general email option: Nancy@NancyEichhorn.com where you can share your thoughts and we’ll pass them on to the authors.

We’re grateful for your readership and look forward to providing quality articles and reviews, personal and poignant author reflections, and more on our website: www.SomaticPsychotherapyToday.com

Nancy Eichhorn, PhD Founding Editor-in-Chief

In a review of the the book “The Awakening Body” by Reginald Ray

I came across the term “somatic spirituality.” What is somatic spirituality? According to Ray, it
“involves tuning in to the vast interior world of wakefulness, freedom, and joy that lies just beneath the
surface, in our body.” He explains that the body is capable of an awareness beyond what our conscious
mind can achieve, that our bodies are aware in ways that our minds are not. The consciousness of our
bodies transcends that of the mind. Perhaps it is ironic that the word “mindful” is most commonly
understood as meaning present and aware. It is our bodies that are “mindful” in a way our logical
minds cannot be. Our logical mind judges, rationalizes, and worries about the future, whereas our
bodies experience directly, unimpeded by conscious bias and prejudice. And direct experience,
especially to Buddhists, equals awareness, which facilitates enlightenment, or “spiritual” awakening.

How can tuning in to the body help us emotionally? Tuning in to the body helps us access sensations,
emotions, and information unavailable to the logical mind. The body is a warehouse of wisdom.
Somatic therapies such as body-centered psychotherapy help clients gain precious insight by listening
to our “body-talk.” In the words of Reginald Ray, “Until our emotional blockages from trauma of any
kind are known directly within our somatic awareness, no actual psychological transformation is
possible.” Trauma, in this sense, could mean an angry exchange, an unmet need, as well as violent
abuse. Overwhelming pain or even mild irritation often bypasses our mind and lodges in our bodies. A
liver can “own” anger to spare the conscience. A sacrum can hold pain to spare the heart. As a body-
centered psychotherapist I will often facilitate a dialogue with the liver or sacrum (or toe or throat or
inner child), and attend to its (their) needs. Many times just listening brings clarity and relief. The
client may gain healing insight, and/or benefit from physiological changes/energetic shifts. By attuning
to and listening to our bodies, we can viscerally know ourselves and begin the process of healing.
Some might call that somatic spirituality.

Nancy Paul, MA, LMT is available to listen and help you at Lotus Center in Chicago! She accepts
cash clients on a sliding scale and can accept clients with BCBS PPO or Blue Choice PPO insurance on an in-network basis. Other insurance plans will use out-of-network benefits. Please call your insurance company for out-of-network benefit details. Schedule your appointment with Nancy now by visiting http://lotuscenterchicago.com/ or call Nancy at 708-289-3899.

Polyvagal Theory: Basic Principles, Experiential Learning, and Clinical Applications
with Stephen Porges, Ph.D.

September 23 & 24, 2017
9AM – 4PM
Hotel Shattuck Plaza, Berkeley, CA

Stephen Porges, Ph.D., is a behavioral neuroscience researcher whose investigations of the evolution and expression of human autonomic psychophysiology has become a wellspring advancing the theories and practices of multiple disciplines and human service fields of practice.

In this exciting two-day conference, Dr. Porges will present a basic outline of his Polyvagal Theory, lead attendees in experiential learning, and dialogue with professionals presenting cases from diverse practice arenas. Since 1994, when Dr. Porges announced the basic concepts, Polyvagal Theory has been adopted and used productively in a wide array of psychological and somatic clinical practices. The theory is bringing alive the profound significance of our evolutionary neural organization in daily psychological and relational processes.

Participants will learn about the evolutionary emergence of a set of nerves in the brain that control the heart and face. This connection provided the structures for the Social Engagement System, which links our bodily feelings and thought processes with facial expression, vocal intonation, and gesture. Workshop participants will learn about the relationship between neural regulation of the Social Engagement system and emergent properties, including the development of many forms of mental and physical illness. Additionally, Dr. Porges will speak to developing clinical strategies to rehabilitate the Social Engagement System as an important part of any treatment.

Please join us in this exciting and informative professional education experience. Stephen is an engaging, open, and vital thinker grounded in daily living and with a wide range of experiences and interests beyond the laboratory.

******************************

Ticket Information:

General Admission: $350
Early Bird: $310 Before June 23, 2017
Registered Intern: $245
Student of co-sponsoring institutions $175 – Current student ID required 30% of tickets available First-come, first-served
Onsite $365

Event ticketing: http://polyvagaltheory.brownpapertickets.com/

NOTE: No single day tickets will be offered

******************************

About Our Presenter: Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D., is Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University, where he directs the Trauma Research Initiative within the Kinsey Institute. He holds the position of Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina and Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland. He served as president of both the Society for Psychophysiological Research and the Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences and is a former recipient of a National Institute of Mental Health Research Scientist Development Award. He has published more than 250 peer reviewed scientific papers across several disciplines including anesthesiology, biomedical engineering, critical care medicine, ergonomics, exercise physiology, gerontology, neurology, neuroscience, obstetrics, pediatrics, psychiatry, psychology, psychometrics, space medicine, and substance abuse. In 1994 he proposed the Polyvagal Theory. The theory provides insights into the mechanisms mediating symptoms observed in several behavioral, psychiatric, and physical disorders including autism, anxiety, depression, ADD, PTSD, and schizophrenia. His research has led to the development of innovative interventions designed to stabilize behavioral and psychological states and to stimulate spontaneous social behavior that are being applied to autism and other clinical diagnoses.

For more information on Dr. Porges and his work, visit his website: www.stephenporges.com

******************************

Continuing Education

Continuing education credit for this event is co-sponsored by Somatic Psychology Associates and The Institute for Continuing Education. The program offers 6.00 contact hours per day, with full attendance required. The CE processing fee is $25.00 per person and is payable to The Institute for Continuing Education with completed CE paperwork. CE applications will be available on site. CE verification will be mailed to workshop participants following the training. To receive continuing education credit, participants must complete CE paperwork, sign in/out daily, and complete an evaluation of the training. If you have questions regarding this training, continuing education, learning objectives, or grievance issues, contact The Institute at: e-mail: instconted@aol.com.

Social Work: The Institute for Continuing Education, Provider 1007, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. The Institute for Continuing Education maintains responsibility for the program. ASWB Approval Period: 04-13-2015 – 04-13-2018. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval for continuing education credits.

Counseling / Marriage-Family Therapy: The California Board Behavioral Sciences accepts programs sponsored by approved providers of the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).

Psychology: The Institute for Continuing Education is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Institute for Continuing Education maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Skill Level: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced

Teaching Methodology: May include: didactic, audio-visuals, demonstrations, role play, experiential exercises, large and small group discussions.

ADA: If you have special needs, please contact: mludwiglcsw@gmail.com or 510-387-5845

******************************
Conference Learning Objectives

Describe the primary features of the Polyvagal Theory.
Explain how the autonomic nervous system is related to social and defensive behaviors.
Describe the three autonomic circuits that support and disrupt social behavior.
Explain how the neural process “neuroception” evaluates risk in the environment and triggers adaptive neural circuits promoting either social interactions or defensive behaviors.
Describe the clinical conditions necessary to promote feelings of safety in the client.
Identify cues of physiological state in the client’s voice and facial expressions.
Explain why deficits in the Social Engagement System are core features of several psychiatric disorders.
Explain how trauma disrupts typical function of the autonomic nervous system.
Explain how maladaptive behaviors, including dissociation, may accompany several psychiatric disorders, and may reflect adaptive responses triggered by survival mechanisms.
Describe the mechanisms through which voice conveys physiological state and how listening to types of vocalizations and acoustic stimulation can aid in the regulation of biobehavioral states.
Describe a face-heart connection that defines a social engagement system that links our bodily feelings with facial expression, vocal intonation, and gesture.
Explain how trauma and chronic stresses can “retune” middle ear function and distort the ability to process human speech.

A Certificate of attendance will be available to all attendees.

******************************

Co-sponsoring Institutions & Programs

California Institute of Integral Studies, Somatic Psychology ProgramJohn F. Kennedy University, Somatic Psychology Program
Pacifica Graduate Institute, Somatic Studies in Depth Psychology
Northern California Somatic Experiencing Professional Association
The Wright Institute, Integrated Health Psychology Training Program

******************************

Directions, Transportation & Accommodations

The Hotel Shattuck Plaza is conveniently located in downtown Berkeley, CA. The Crystal Ballroom Conference Center has its own entrance on Allston Way, just down the street (west) from the main hotel entrance. Registration will take place at that door.

Public Transportation: The Downtown Berkeley BART station is in front of the hotel.

Parking is available at the City of Berkeley Allston St. Parking Garage across from the hotel. Current rates are $14 weekdays and $5 weekends all-day.

Our mailing address is:

Somatic Psychology Events
c/o Somatic Psychology Associates 614 Grand Avenue
Suite 200
Oakland, Ca 94610

Title: Embodied Research Methods
Editor: Jennifer Frank Tantia, PhD
Routledge Press

Embodied phenomena have been explored in research in many fields of study such as psychology, expressive therapies, social sciences, anthropology, medicine, and education but to date there has not yet existed a collection of work that describes the specific ways in which embodied data collection and analysis can contribute to traditional styles of inquiry. Embodiment is an essential element of human experience, yet often missing in research data. This book will serve as an edited textbook that emphasizes embodied data in research methods. We are seeking chapter contributions that describe innovative research methods in both qualitative and quantitative approaches to embodied experience in research.

Please send the following short proposal to Jennifer Tantia – jftantia@gmail.com* by September 15, 2017:

Proposed chapter title:

Name, country and contact details: Submission content: (500 words; APA format):
• Introduction
• Theoretical background and description of methodology
• Description of method: data collection (interviews, observations, etc…) and data analysis (identifying patterns and establishing a relationship between data and unknowns)
• Summary that includes the relative usefulness of your proposed embodied method pertains to the extant literature in your particular field.
• Key Words (3-5)
• Key References (6-10)
• Brief biography of 75 words outlining professional qualifications, previous publishing experience, etc.
• A sample of material (draft acceptable) or previously published material to evidence writing competence.

*Please use: “Embodied Research Methods Proposal” in the subject line of your email.

DOWNLOAD PDF – CALL FOR PROPOSALS.Embodied Research Methods.7.4.17

Do you want to be able to practice emotional aikido with anything life throws at you? Wouldn’t it be great to navigate even your most potent emotional triggers with more ease? SHIFT can help! With SHIFT you can: Discover how to stop overwhelm in its tracks before it hijacks your day. Be empowered to go after what you want instead of feeling stuck. Experience internal freedom as you make peace with inner critics and becoming more self-accepting. All that and more: SHIFT is video-based training you can do anytime and anywhere you want.

Get started with SHIFT here: https://focusingresources.com/shift

Eugene T. Gendlin, the American philosopher and psychologist who developed the mind-body connection practice called “Focusing,” died on May 1 at the age of 90 in Spring Valley, New York. His death was announced by the International Focusing Institute (www.focusing.org), which was founded in 1985 by Dr. Gendlin to promote the practice of Focusing and the philosophy behind it, which he called the “Philosophy of the Implicit.” Focusing is an experiential, body-oriented method for generating insights and emotional healing. Gendlin’s philosophy falls under the branch of philosophy called phenomenology. Significant influences on his philosophical work included Edmund Husserl, Jean-Paul Sartre and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. A nearly exhaustive library of his work is maintained by the Institute in the Gendlin Online Library.

Eugene T. Gendlin Press Release and Obituary

National Conference June 30-July 2, 2017.
Misericordia University, Dallas, Pa. CEUs available.

This groundbreaking event is the first major conference in the U.S. focusing on the topic of yoga and mental health care. It is designed for mental health and rehabilitative health professionals as well as yoga teachers and therapists. Topics include using therapeutic yogic interventions to reduce or heal dissociation; subtle breathing pattern dysregulations; autonomic nervous system dysregulation; anxiety; substance use disorders. CEUs available.

Pre-Conference Workshops; Keynote speech by Amy Weintraub, author of Yoga and Depression; In-depth Saturday Workshops; Sunday panel discussion.

Conference early-bird price go $150 before May 1.

Register at:
www.misericordia.edu/yoga

In this book, Deirdre introduces a unique exploration of attachment-based approaches, integrating yogic psychology to bring relief and ease in treating trauma.

From the Introduction:

“Every child should have had the gift of safety from birth onwards. In that state of grace, a child flourishes, steps beyond their comfort zone, makes mistakes, reaches for reassurance, learns and grows from mistakes without shame.

Returning to a safe haven after stretching out into the world, the child finds out from others that they’ll be okay despite anything untoward that happened.

In this cocoon of care, a child naturally develops psychological safety (Bowlby, 1988; Holmes, 2001) with a native impulse to explore themselves and the world.”