Conference 2012
Click here for your REGISTRATION form.
NZCCA Conference 2012
What does the body have in Mind?
Dr James Arkwright EdD., M.Ed. Couns. (Hons)., BA., Dip.Ag., MNZAC
James is married to Sherilene and they have two primary school aged children, Caleb and Paige. James' interest in counselling as a career arose following a spinal cord injury when he was twenty two years of age. No longer able to farm, James went to university with the initial objective of becoming a teacher but then studied to become a counsellor. Key aspects of James' own rehabilitation and transition into a new career have been his faith, family, and his journey as a counsellor and counsellor educator. Since the early 1990s he has worked for South Auckland Health, Waitemata Health, University of Auckland, and Unitec Institute of Technology. Since 2003 James has lectured at Bethlehem Tertiary Institute, Tauranga, within the Counselling and Family Studies programme, and has a counselling/supervision practice. James' specialty areas in his teaching, research and counselling are: abuse and trauma, faith and spirituality within counselling, grief and loss, illness/impairment and disability. In his Keynotes he draws on this work and a number of personal and family experiences to explore and illustrate the relation between body, mind, heart, soul and spirit as storied through social and spiritual experience so as to facilitate healing, recovery, and empowerment.
Recognising the Complexity of Persons:
Thinking and Practising in Holistic and Contextual Ways
The intersection of medical discourse with other prevailing social norms in the Western world means that we now live in a time when success is typically measured by how well our bodies and minds are perceived to work: Are we physically active and attractive for our age, are our children succeeding at school, are we achieving and are we financially successful? While some may be succeeding on these terms, others are not. Increasingly children and young people are being diagnosed with behavioural, learning and mental illness disorders, cure and rehabilitation for neurological and immune-deficiency conditions is often limited, and many elderly are living to experience some form of dementia.
The above medical and allied psychiatric diagnostic-treatment approach to persons who are classified as not well is based on a number of assumptions, such as: the body and mind can be treated separately, the body can be repaired like a machine, biological explanations and technological, pharmacological, and psychological interventions are privileged over social and spiritual factors. However, in recent years a certain reclaiming and new development of earlier pre-modern traditions has occurred, such as: the mindbody movement, spiritual direction and soul care, alternative health therapies, folk psychology, and an organic/whole food focus (in preference to processed and mass produced foods). And alongside such a reclaiming, new political movements and therapeutic directions have also arisen that resist and/or progress aspects of medical discourse, namely, brain-body-sensory processing developments within neuroscience and allied helping professions, critical psychology and deconstructive therapies, disability rights, and indigenous approaches to health and helping. When taken together as a collective or set of pragmatic biases, these more holistic and contextual approaches offer alternative assumptions and additional ideas from mind-body dualisms regarding healing and supporting others.
In considering holistic and contextual approaches to helping, James explores a biblical mandate and the ministry of Jesus for modelling thought/action/practice that works in the spirit, attends to social positioning, and cares for a person's body, mind, heart and soul. In seeking to help others on the basis of this orientation so as to facilitate healing, recovery and empowerment, the conceptual and practical tools that James reflects on in his Keynotes to demonstrate the relevance of working holistically and contextually, are: the place of meaning-making and storying (both prior to and after the onset of illness and unwellness), working with metaphor, language, emotions, the bodymind and spirit, and developing integrative health and helping practices. These are illustrated with reference to participants' accounts from his doctoral research, personal anecdotes, and amalgamated vignettes from his teaching, counselling and supervision work.
WORKSHOP PRESENTERS
Dr Deborah Proverbs and Dr Patte Randal
"Experiencing recovery - The "Re-covery Model" in action"
Dr Deborah Proverbs is a medical practitioner, (trained in psychiatry), who has a belief in the capacity of the human spirit to overcome adversity and has recognised that crises can be opportunities for healing and breakthrough, rather than breakdown. She believes that the process of empowering and supporting people with mental health issues and their families, and supporters, to make sense of their stories in a hopeful and meaningful way, enables people to demonstrate greater responsibility for their breakthrough and live the lives that they have been created for. She is a co-author of "The Re-covery Model" (Randal et al 2009). Her professional role includes working alongside and educating people and families in their process of recovery, and teaching an experiential approach to recovery concepts to other health practitioners, (including peer support workers, community support workers, cultural workers, occupational therapists, social workers, nurses, psychologists, psychiatry registrars and psychiatrists).
Dr Patte Randal LRCP MRCS D Phil has personal experience of recovery from psychosis, is trained in Psychiatry, and works as Medical Officer in Rehabilitation Psychiatry at Buchanan Rehabilitation Centre, ADHB, Auckland. She has published research on recovery-focussed multimodal therapy for people with treatment refractory psychosis. She is first author of "The Re-covery Model: An integrative developmental, stress-vulnerability-strengths approach to mental health" (Randal et al 2009). Different versions of her story have been published in a number of different books including "A Gift of Stories" (Leibrich 1999). She has recently co-edited a new book "Experiencing Psychosis - Personal and professional perspectives" (Geekie; Randal; Lampshire and Read 2012). Along with Deborah, she teaches an experiential approach to recovery concepts to other health practitioners, (including peer support workers, community support workers, cultural workers, occupational therapists, social workers, nurses, psychologists, psychiatry registrars and psychiatrists).
What? Spiritual understanding is largely absent from mainstream Psychiatry.
A major complaint from people who receive mental health services is that mental health professionals often ignore or pathologize spiritual aspects of life. Recovery from mental illness (including psychosis) often involves finding a meaning and purpose in life. For many people this involves a spiritual dimension which helps to make sense of suffering.
As Mental Health Professionals, we increasingly need to recognise the power of personal narrative in the healing journey, and as practitioners we need to increase our "narrative competence" as we listen to the stories of those who are recovering from serious mental illness, to understand more fully how people make sense of their experiences, including from a spiritual perspective. At this workshop we will present the "Re-covery Model", a model which places the psychotic experience on a spectrum of normality, within a spiritual context. Patte will tell her own story to illustrate how this model can be used in personal and professional life. We will consider how, as clinicians, colleagues and friends, we can foster a healing relationship that draws upon spiritual resources that a person brings not only to the clinical setting but also in any close alliance, helping one another develop and enhance a constructive spirituality.
Richard Charmley MEd (Hons) Counselling, BA, RGN, RPN, MNZAC, MNZCCA
Richard is a counsellor and supervisor in private practice on the North Shore. He also does some teaching and is an examiner and moderator at a tertiary level in counselling and related subjects. Approximately three quarters his practice is supervising others. He has enjoyed being part of the journey of students growing and changing as they qualify and enjoys the challenge of working with experienced practitioners working in many fields of counselling. Richard teaches part time in the Post Grad Diploma of Supervision at the University of Auckland.
What? Refreshing supervision
The workshop will focus on issues and processes that we need to continue to be mindful of so that we can keep our supervision current and effective. Topics will include issues related to working with challenging situations eg when a practitioner is not doing so well in their work and is not ready to explore that and, consideration of some current ethical concerns in supervision.
Criteria to attend: A workshop for those who are currently providing supervision for others
Liz Maluschnig Reg. Comp Nurse, MNZCCA
Liz works as a Counsellor, Parent Coach and Spiritual Director. She teaches meditation, facilitates cancer healing retreats and is the author of 3 books. Liz has completed Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training course at The Gawler Foundation. She lives with her husband and 2 children in Wanaka on a sustainable lifestyle property. Liz was involved in the setting up of the NZCCA and now is its most southern member!
What? Mindfulness Meditation and its application for clients.
In this workshop Liz will introduce the concept of Mindfulness Meditation and the incredible impact this will have on us as therapists and for our clients. Learn how to overcome stress and be centered and connected to the Divine through any of life's circumstances and learn how to teach this to your clients in a way that respects all spiritual journeys.
Liz will have some meditation CD's available to sell.
Ferrell Irvine
Ferrell Irvine has a master's degree in psychology, and is a certified Bioenergetic therapist, local trainer and supervisor. She started the first bioenergetic training in New Zealand in 1992. She has been in private practice since 1972, and continues working to integrate her Christianity into her work.
What? The pleasure of being fully alive: experiments with aliveness and awareness
Our bodies, mind and spirit are interwoven and cannot be separated. It is important to look at ourselves from many angles. We will utilize our time together with experiential exercises and theoretical input about how our history influences the way we live in our bodies today: by what we continue to carry, that which we have not processed or integrated. Your body structure can impact emotionally on your life and relationships. Learning more about our body selves helps greatly with issues of transference and counter-transference. Think about what this might mean for you in your work with clients and others in your life. You will have opportunities to journal as you learn about how you are and experiment with new ways of being! There will be a bibliography provided.
Brigitte Puls
Psychotherapist (NZ reg), psychologist ( clinical, NZ reg), relational Gestalt therapist and Movement-dance therapist. She teaches at AUT, and works, with individuals and groups, in her private practice.
What? The Body as Instrument for healing, stabilisation and change (in counselling/ psychotherapy practice).
This workshop offers participants the opportunity to understand and learn ways of working with the body for a variety of client needs. A taxonomy for different ways of working with the body will be given.
Emphasis is on" holistic" learning: through experience, application and understanding.
Carol Parkinson and Maoira McCall- Corlett
Carol Parkinson (MANZASW) is the Practice Manager at the Living Well Counselling Centre in Levin. Carol attained a Master of Social Work from Massey University with first class honours in 2010. Although challenging, Carol has enjoyed transitioning the centre into the professional and relevant community service that it is today. Between 2000- 2008, Carol and Moira co- directed workshops for women survivors of childhood sexual abuse nationwide. The interest in this topic 'chasing the yum' is an extension of our team's current theme for the year 'out of our living well, we are able to help others live well'.
Moira McCall- Corlett is a senior practitioner at the Living Well Counselling Centre in Levin where she has worked part time for the past 14 years. Moira has six adult children and three gorgeous mokopuna. Although hailing from the deep south, Moira has lived in Paraparaumu for the last 16 years. She graduated from Te Nikau Bible College in 1998 with a Diploma of Counselling. Between 2000-2008 Moira and Carol co- directed workshops for women survivors of childhood sexual abuse nationwide. 'Chasing the yum' appeals to Moira's desire to encourage people to actively embrace the rich deliciousness that God has surrounded us with.
What? Chasing the Yum
The development of a counsellor often heads down the road of cognitive development; development of the knowledge base. To bring holistic presence to the client requires the development of a counsellor in body, soul and spirit. Counselling is not just about what the client brings to the engagement, but also what the counsellor brings in physical presence, as well as their attitudes, beliefs and experiences. This presentation allows an opportunity for counsellors to deepen their internal congruency. It will guide participants thorough activities used to facilitate learning in the area of personal sensory awareness; allowing them to make reflective connections with their own sensory desires. This presentation also addresses the importance of the counsellor having fresh, relevant, grounded awareness of their own sensory experiences and needs. A counsellor's ability to embrace this in their own life empowers the client to do the same.
Garry Cockburn
Garry is a Certified Bioenergetic Therapist (CBT) and has been in private practice as a psychotherapist in Wellington since 2002. He is on the Board of Trustees of the International Institute for Bioenergetic Analysis (IIBA), and was a keynote speaker at the IIBA conference in Seville, Spain in 2007. He has published in 'Bioenergetic Analysis', the Clinical Journal of the IIBA, and in the 'European Journal of Bioenergetic Analysis and Psychotherapy'. He is a member of NZAP, holding an Advanced Practice Certificate. In his previous career Garry worked for Child, Youth & Family (CYF) for nearly 30 years, holding the positions of Student Unit Supervisor in Palmerston North, Manager at Porirua, and as a consultant for the Ministry of Social Development on the interface between CYF and Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Services. He holds an honours degree in Social Work from Massey University.
What? 'Grounding in the Body: a Prerequisite for all Counsellors and Psychotherapists.'
The notion of 'the ground' was used in philosophy and theology in the 20th century to describe both the immanence and the transcendence of 'the Absolute' (God), such as in Paul Tillich's phrase, 'The Ground of Being.' Alexander Lowen, the founder of Bioenergetic Analysis, was the first person to introduce the concept of 'grounding' into the therapeutic context. Lowen began working with the body in a standing position, as opposed to lying on the couch, to help clients re-establish connection with the ground of their reality. Lowen's concept of 'grounding' has now become part of common usage in counselling and psychotherapy, often without awareness as to the origin of the word. This workshop will provide a theoretical framework for grounding in the body, incorporating the latest insights from neuroscience and trauma studies. There will be practical exercises to enable counsellors to connect with their own sense of groundedness helping them to stay centred in their own somatic reality when working with a range of challenging clients and issues.
Virginia Ashcroft
Virginia is Wellington born with three adult children. She has been counselling for ten years and during this time has worked at Wesley Inner City Counselling Service as Counsellor and Team Leader, at Seed doing workplace support and at Relationship Services as a counsellor and group facilitator. Virginia is now in private practice working with individuals and couples. She also supervises students-in-training and provides work related supervision. Her three main areas of interest are working with depression and anxiety and with couples. Virginia has been working as an Imago couples therapist for four years and she is passionate about this approach. She incorporates aspects of Imago when working with individuals. Virginia has recently become a member of the Imago New Zealand committee.
What? - Mind, Body and Imago
In Imago couples work, the therapists' hope is that healing of childhood wounds will occur as the couple are assisted to understand each other using the Imago processes.
This workshop will look at the mind body connection through the lens of Imago Couples therapy and will cover some basic information about Imago theory, brain function in relation to behavior, safety and connection, links between stages of human development and behaviour and a short demonstration of how Imago works with mind/body. For information on Imago you can look on the website gettingtheloveyouwant.com