|
|
Jamie Moran, LCSW, CGP
Psychotherapy Groups For Men |
|
|
November/December ENewsletter
|
|
|
Greetings! The holiday season is upon us and I know for many of you it ups the busyness quotient. I find this is often a reflective time and personally feel grateful and appreciative for many parts of life. In this newsletter edition I'm including the first few group workshops I'm offering for 2014, which may be of interest. Please feel free to forward to clinicians who might find the workshops useful. I have included an article discussing the phenomenon of injury and repair in life and the group process. Also listed are updated openings for my long term psychotherapy groups, including the new Peninsula Men's Group which is anticipated to start in January. I hope you have a joyous and special holiday season.
With thanks,
Jamie Moran, CGP, LCSW
 |
|
Injury & Repair:
How Groups Can Promote Instrumental Personal Change
| |
One of the most potentially profound benefits with group participation is repairing relationships. Growing up, "injuries" are sustained in everyday living. Whether large or small they often stay for a lifetime when left unexamined, causing a psychological impact. Major injuries include abuse, betrayal, rejection, neglect, abandonment and loss. In many families and school environments these injuries occurred without the pairing of a psychologically healthy healing or "repair", which is why people continue to struggle throughout life with these impacts and the patterning they create.
Group members who have grown up in a dysfunctional family can utilize group to ascertain the impact of past injuries on current living. Exploring and naming the injury (distrust of people, relationships struggles, low self esteem, avoidance/isolation, lack of attention to needs and wants, etc.) is a vital framework for group participation. A repair is possible over time when the group members' experience encompasses a more healthy understanding and experience of people. Examples include a greater degree of assertiveness, respect and attention to boundaries and limits, understanding and accepting one's relationship patterns and those of others, not taking things too personally and increased awareness of one's own blind spots.
John, a 35 year old gay man came to group to work on primary relationships which he found unfulfilling, unequal and generally problematic. He was raised in a rural, conservative part of the country, where being gay was very difficult. John coped by being a high achiever and moving away for college. He settled into a profession and work environment in which he also excelled; living in a big city made it much easier to be gay. John was often drawn to men romantically who were less fortunate and troubled. He found himself being in a familiar caretaker role in relationships.
In group, he interacted with others by asking questions, drawing others out, being a people pleaser and in general revealing very little of himself. Over time he was challenged by group members who found his lack of disclosure uncomfortable and annoying. Further exploration revealed John didn't trust others to be dependable and not to let him down, which recapitulated his growing up experience. Through group dialogue and interaction, he began to see how automatic and mostly unconscious his interpersonal style was. Group consistency and John's increasing fondness of the other members helped him to take in that others might genuinely be interested in him, not just for what he offered them. The continuing group experience highlighted increasing repair to John's life long injury.
|
|
Everything You Want To Know About Groups But Are Afraid To Ask!
| | |
I am pleased to continue offering my free workshop series pertaining to group issues for clinicians. Therapists, interns and students are welcome to attend. Each workshop will focus on a particular topic and include a brief educational overview, followed by questions and answers. Workshops take place in San Francisco and on the Peninsula. Course meets the qualifications for continuing education credits for MFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs as required by the BBS. Number of credits is equal to workshop length. A $10 fee applies for those seeking certification. Here is a preview of the first few workshops of 2014:
Date: January 11th | San Francisco
Topic: Screening and Intake Questions for Support and Therapy Groups
Time: 3:45-5:30pm
Location: SF LGBT Center
RSVP by 1/9 to [email protected]
A vital part of group functionality and success is the preparation we do as group leaders. A screening (intake) session is an opportunity to educate clients about the parameters of the group, including expectations, purposes and challenges. Various well thought out questions and explorations with the client may help optimize the group functioning in several ways, including avoiding overt dissatisfaction from clients ("I didn't know the group was about this!") and deterring early and unexpected termination. Additionally, some clients may self select out of group, given the clarity of parameters described. This workshop will provide an overview and suggested purpose to screening questions. Variations will be discussed as they pertain to group topic, length of group, commitment time, the leader's style and theoretical orientation.
Date: February 1st | San Francisco
Topic: How To Create a Viable Group Topic
Time: 3:45-5:30pm
Location: SF LGBT Center
RSVP by 1/30 to [email protected]
Group is as varied as life itself! So why do some groups get off the ground and others do not? In this workshop we will explore a variety of factors that influence the success of a group, including:
-Group purpose
-Title and topic: Does it invite curiosity, interest or fascination?
-Critical feedback in the formation process
-Time, setting and location.
-Population served
-Marketing materials
-Targeted promotion
-Navigating the needs of confirmed participants during group formation
(No March workshop)
April 5th | Peninsula - How to Market your Group
1:30-3:30pm
Stay tuned for more details
|
|
|
|
|
Group Schedule
| |
MENLO PARK
Monday 6:15-7:45pm Gay & Bisexual Men's Psychotherapy Group | FULL
Monday 8:00-9:30pm Men's Psychotherapy Group | OPENINGS
New Group, anticipate January start date.
SAN FRANCISCO | Gay Men's Psychotherapy Groups
*All Hayes Valley unless stated otherwise
Tuesday 5:50-7:20pm OPENINGS
Tuesday 7:30-9:00pm FULL
Wednesday 5:45-7:15pm OPENINGS
Wednesday 7:25-8:55pm FULL
Thursday 6:30-8:00pm FULL*
*Co-facilitated with Greg Millard, Ph.D., in the Financial District
All groups involve a interview and screening process. Please contact Jamie Moran at [email protected] or 415.552.9408.
|
|
Jamie Moran, LCSW, CGP
Psychotherapy and Consultation
Licensed Clinical Social Worker #14447
Certified Group Psychotherapist #42559
Continuing Education Provider, #5346
425 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 552-9408
661 Live Oak Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025 (650) 598-8877
www.jamiemoran.com | [email protected]
|  |
|
|
|
|
|
