Mitchell Hochberg Memorial Public Education Event: Jennifer Freyd, PhD will discuss, "Institutional Betrayal in Cases of Sexual Violence."
Conference Opening Plenary Address: Paul Wachtel, PhD will kick-off the Conference in this opening address, "Cyclical Psychodynamics and Group Psychotherapy: Understanding People in Context."
Annual Anne and Ramon Alonso Plenary Address: Elisabeth Rohr, PhD will address, "Humanity on the Move - Groups Too?"
Wednesday, March 8
6:30 – 7:45 P.M.
Mitchell Hochberg Memorial Public Education Event
Supported by contributions to the Group Foundation for Advancing Mental Health
Institutional Betrayal in Cases of Sexual Violence
Featured Speaker: Jennifer Freyd, PhD
In a development of betrayal trauma theory, Freyd and her students have discovered that institutional betrayal can exacerbate the harm of sexual trauma as sexually-assaulted individuals treated poorly by their institutions show greater levels of distress. Increasing awareness of institutional betrayal will allow individuals, groups, and institutions to become healthier.
Learning Objectives:
The attendee will be able to:
1. Explain the unique harm of betrayal trauma.
2. Compare and contrast the impact of interpersonal to institutional betrayal on survivors.
3. Describe how to heal institutional betrayal.
Dr. Jennifer Freyd is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Oregon. She received her BA in Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania and her PhD in psychology from Stanford University. Dr. Freyd directs a laboratory investigating the impact of interpersonal and institutional trauma on mental and physical health, behavior, and society. In the spring of 2014, she was invited two times to the U.S. White House due to her expertise in sexual assault and institutional betrayal. Dr. Freyd is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, the American Psychological Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She serves as the Editor of the Journal of Trauma & Dissociation.
Thursday, March 9
8:30 – 9:45 A.M.
Conference Opening Plenary Address
Cyclical Psychodynamics and Group Psychotherapy: Understanding People in Context
Featured Speaker: Paul Wachtel, PhD
Cyclical psychodynamics is an integrative theory rooted in relational psychodynamic principles that incorporates elements of cognitive-behavioral, family systems, and experiential approaches. Its relevance to group psychotherapy lies particularly in its strong contextual emphasis. This talk will explore how cyclical psychodynamic theory can contribute to the understanding of the events and processes of group psychotherapy.
Learning Objectives:
The attendee will be able to:
1. Delineate historical perspectives on psychoanalysis and cognitive behavior therapy that inform an integrative approach.
2. Identify how the dynamics of people’s lives are involved in vicious (and virtuous) cycles.
3. Articulate potential interventions for addressing these vicious cycles.
4. Discuss the interpersonal dimensions of these vicious cycles and the role of accomplices, in particular.
5. Address the convergences between the cyclical psychodynamic perspective and the perspective guiding group psychotherapy.
Dr. Paul Wachtel is a Visiting Clinical Professor of Psychology (Adjunct) at the NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis and a CUNY Distinguished Professor in the doctoral program in clinical psychology at City College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. He received the 2013 Division 39 Award for Scholarship and Research and the 2012 Division 29 Distinguished Psychologist Award. He completed his undergraduate studies at Columbia University, received his doctorate in clinical psychology at Yale University, and is a graduate of the postdoctoral program in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy at New York University. He was a co-founder of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (SEPI).
Friday, March 10
8:30 – 9:45 A.M.
Anne and Ramon Alonso Plenary Address
Supported by contributions to the Group Foundation for Advancing Mental Health
Humanity on the Move - Groups Too?
Featured Speaker: Elisabeth Rohr, PhD
World wide migration and refugee movements have turned out to be one of the most challenging issues in the early 21st century. Humanity seems to be on the move on a global scale. We are slowly beginning to realize that immigration is not only changing societies, but affecting mental health institutions, group therapy and psychotherapy practices as well. Are we prepared for these challenges? Are our training institutes prepared for these challenges? What perspectives for training and practice in the future are needed?
Learning Objectives:
The attendee will be able to:
1. Understand the upcoming challenges.
2. Recognize and deal with future changes.
3. Accept learning necessities, like more foreign language abilities.
4. Modify methods.
5. Incorporate intercultural aspects into psychotherapy and group therapy training.
Dr. Elisabeth Rohr was Professor for Intercultural Education at the Philipps University in Marburg, Germany until 2013. She is a Group Analyst, a counselor and consultant for national and international organizations. She has been a member of the staff of the Heidelberg Institute and has been engaged in establishing a supervision training in Guatemala. She has done extensive research about issues of migration, fundamentalism, gender and supervision.