Please view the Relationship Unconscious website for information and offerings on the Podcast Series, the Group Seminar Audio Series, and the Video Tele-Seminar Series.

The Men's Group: Shifting the Perspective from Mental Health Issues Among Men to the Increasing Challenges of Daily Living *

10:15 to 11:30 AM

Thankfully, awareness of mental health issues among men is rising. The 2016 feature by Dr. Oz was significant in that it drew mainstream attention to the "man up" attitude men have been socialized to for so long and the corresponding stigma in acknowledging, let alone seeking treatment for, psychological and emotional concerns. Male celebrities who have recently come forward including Michael Phelps and Kevin Love have stimulated an increasing acceptance of mood and anxiety problems among men. In the next meeting of the Men's Group on Saturday, March 2, 2019 (10:15 to 11:30 AM) , I would like to expand the discussion from distinct psychiatric concerns and mental health issues among men to a consideration of the increasing challenges involved with simply living in a modern, complex society. While only a portion of men will experience psychiatric problems, all men are confronted with considerable pressure and challenges, literally in all components of life. The commentary of Ross Rosenberg on "the impossibility of being happy all the time" and Jordan Peterson on the moral and pragmatic challenges of daily living ("having a life that will work") provides important perspectives on what it means to live optimally. We will consider their views in light of modern male dilemmas.

The Relationship Group: "Dirty John" Showcases the 4 Errors of the Neurobiology of Attraction *

11:45 AM to 1:00 PM

The "Dirty John" story , podcast , and recent Bravo TV series have sensitized societal awareness to the devastating impact persons with narcissistic and sociopathic qualities can have on those whom they target. In recent months, I have been using "Dirty John" to discuss with patients the neurobiological dynamics of attraction. Scientific evidence now supports Freud's theoretical claims that we are drawn to individuals who have the potential to activate within us our neurobiological set-point which was formed in childhood. Essentially a well-calibrated neurochemical and hormonal system, this set-point causes repeated patterns of idiosyncratic errors of thought and perception that persist throughout adulthood. It is these errors which draw persons to non-viable and potentially quite hurtful, if not traumatizing, romantic partners. In the next meeting of the Relationship Group on Saturday, March 2, 2019 (11:45 AM to 1:00 PM) , I will present the neurobiological components of attraction and discuss the 4 errors of thought and perception our neurobiological set-points condition us to make.

The Dynamic Psychotherapy Process Group *

 1:15 to 2:30 PM

This therapy group utilizes the emerging dynamics among group members, and between the group members and 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, March 2, 2019 (1:15 to 2:30 PM) at the Laguna Hills office location.