February 10, 2018
Group Meeting Schedule on Saturday, February 17, 2018
The Men's Group
10:15 to 11:30 AM

The Relationship Group
11:45 AM to 1:00 PM

The Dynamic Psychotherapy Process Group
1:15 to 2:30 PM 

The Water Garden Business Center
23421 South Pointe Drive, Suite 130
Laguna Hills, CA, 92653
The Men's Group: The Persistence of Family-of-Origin Roles and Dynamics* - 10:15 to 11:30 AM
Boys often play unique roles in the family. Boys may be "parentified," pressured to excel, encouraged to be the scapegoat, or socialized to enact a personality style that keeps the family intact or maintains peace in the home. Even in healthy families, the influence of these group dynamics and systemic factors impacts children to such a degree that their adult lives reflect these influences. Roles and dynamics originating in one's family of origin persevere in adulthood, often in negative and self-defeating ways. Men, especially, often have trouble dis-embedding themselves from who they had to be as boys in order to find greater freedom and fulfillment as adults. In the next meeting of the Men's Group on Saturday, February 17, 2018 (10:15 to 11:30 AM), I will review the main dynamics of family systems and the primary roles boys typically play in their families. We will then discuss how these roles may negatively impact men's adult lives and relationships.  
The Relationship Group: The Argument Vs. "Letting It Go" * 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM
Whether we like it or not, bad things happen to all of us. Especially in our most intimate relationships, alongside joy and fulfillment there is also distress, disappointment, regret, and pain. We make mistakes and hurt others, and others injure and damage us. In my psychotherapy practice, patients often seek to resolve the pain and distress involved in how they have hurt others, or how others have hurt them, by trying to "let it go." While compelling and pragmatically appealing, I have found that this perspective rarely works and, ironically, often upsets people even more when they cannot actually "let it go."  In the next meeting of the Relationship Group on Saturday, February 17, 2018 (11:45 AM to 1:00 PM), I will offer a rather counter-intuitive view: the need to "hold onto it." In my discussion, I will challenge the related notion of "it is what it is" and argue that what it was consistently changes and offers ongoing learning and insight. The relevance of these ideas for romantic relationships will be described.  
The Dynamic Psychotherapy Process Group 1:15 to 2:30 PM
This therapy group utilizes the emerging dynamics among group members, and between the members and the group facilitator, as a basis from which to examine one's characteristic ways of thinking, feeling, and relating to others.  Our next group session will be on Saturday, February 17, 2018 (1:15 to 2:30 PM).  A second process group is starting and interested persons may contact me directly at 949-338-4388 or [email protected] for more information.
* If you would like to attend the Men's Group and/or the Relationship Group on February 17, 2018, please RSVP to me at 949-338-4388 or  [email protected] . There is a limit of 14 attendees for each group and registrants will be accommodated on a first-come/first-serve basis. The fee is $25.00. 

Location:
The Water Garden Business Center
23421 South Pointe Drive, Suite 130
Laguna Hills, CA, 92653

Please note that the Men's Group and the Relationship Group are psychoeducational in nature, not therapeutic, and do not constitute psychotherapy or counseling. In contrast, the Dynamic Psychotherapy Process Group is a therapeutic experience and entry occurs only after a pre-group screening interview.
James Tobin, Ph.D., PSY 22074 | 949-338-4388 |   [email protected]