Gestalt Therapy Training Center - Northwest

Working With the Body In Psychotherapy
Lessons from Gestalt and Reichian Therapy and
Contemporary Affect and Attachment Theory
Presenter: Daniel Schiff PhD

One cannot read the work of Perls, Reich, and many others who identify themselves as Gestalt or Reichian therapists without being struck by their depiction of the central role somatic (bodily) processes play in the organization of one’s experience and expression of emotions. Current affect and attachment theorists, such as Tomkins, Ekman, and Schore paint a similar picture, stressing the intimate relationship between emotion, cognition, and physiological processes. If in psychotherapy one wants to help clients reach their deep emotions, it is crucial to understand the role of the body in emotional experience and expression.

This workshop will present an integration of Gestalt and Reichian psychotherapy and current affect and attachment theory. The focus will be on providing an understanding of the somatic underpinnings of emotion and patterns of emotional experience and expression (character structure), and the process whereby dysfunctional emotional patterns are activated and changed in psychotherapy, thus allowing clients to regain their capacity for pleasure and emotional intimacy.

Information will be presented though a combination of lecture/discussions, demonstrations, and experiential exercises.

Learning objectives:

1. Be introduced to the Gestalt and Reichian understanding of the role of somatic processes in the creation and organization of one’s experience and expression of emotions.

2. Develop an understanding of the issues being addressed by contemporary attachment and affect theorists, and how they relate to the theory and practice of body-centered psychotherapy.

3. Develop an understanding of how body focused psychotherapeutic approaches can facilitate character change through a process of recognizing and modifying patterns of emotional experience and expression.

4. Learn how emotions may be accessed and addressed in psychotherapy via utilization of body focused psychotherapeutic techniques.

Date: Saturday, June 21, 2008 Time: 9:30 AM – 5PM, with 11/2 hour lunch break.
Location: 1033 SW Yamhill St, Suite 402, Portland, OR 97205
CE credits: 6.

Gestalt Therapy Training Center-Northwest is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GTTC-NW maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Participants: For mental health professionals with beginning to advanced levels of knowledge and expertise. Number of participants: 10 maximum

Fee: $125 ($100 for graduate students and for all GTTC-NW trainees) holds place.

Refund policy: Fee is non refundable unless another participant is found to fill vacated spot.

To Register: Make out checks to GTTC-NW. Send check along with your contact information to: Daniel Schiff PhD, 1033 SW Yamhill St, Suite 402, Portland, OR 97205

Registration deadline: Deadline for receipt of registration is June 16th
For further information call Daniel Schiff at 503 290-4655, or e-mail: dschiffphd@yahoo.com

Daniel Schiff, Ph.D. is a psychologist in private practice with 32 years of experience in the practice of Reichian psychotherapy. In the fall of 2004 he moved to Portland, from Seattle, where he had lived since 1977. His interest in Reichian and Gestalt Therapy began in the early 1970’s. He has training in Neo-Reichian therapy and in Reich’s more traditional orgone therapeutic approach, the latter with Michael Rothenberg, MD, a student of Reich’s. In 1997 he began studying Gestalt Therapy at GTTC-NW. He has taught courses on cognition and affect, developmental theory, attachment theory, and body psychotherapies at the Washington School of Professional Psychology in Seattle, and has given numerous lectures and presentations on topics related to Reich’s work and body-centered psychotherapy. He is a lively and engaging speaker. You can find out more information about his work at www.dschiffphd.com.