Recently I have become involved in a project that examines what clients actually obtain from psychotherapy and, correspondingly, what psychotherapists learn about the human condition from their work with clients.
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II. Blog Articles and Podcast Recordings |
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IV. Virtual Seminars on Saturday, October 3, 2020* |
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The Men's Group Seminar: Self-Doubt
Self-doubt is a complex, multifaceted experience that centers around a gnawing uncertainty regarding one's perceived ability, degree of confidence, and internal satisfaction. Self-doubt comes in many forms. It can be short-term and situationally-based or chronic. It can be related to specific attributes and contexts or function as a more general, wide-ranging negative self-perspective. Experts argue that self-doubt can either be healthy or pathological, i.e., "good" self-doubt is linked to humility and the appropriate questioning of one's status and abilities, whereas dysfunctional self-doubt leads to paralysis, withdrawal from opportunities, and low self-esteem. Some researchers focus on the current cultural landscape of social comparison as a reason for why so many people succumb to self-doubt, while others point to unresolved experiences of criticism during childhood and personality tendencies oriented toward perfectionism and control. Boys who are socialized to norms of "toxic masculinity" are believed to be at a greater risk for the development of self-doubt, as common experiences of disappointment, regret, and the acknowledgement of one's limitations are not touted as appropriate masculine feeling states. In the next virtual meeting of the Men's Group Seminar on Saturday, October 3, 2020 (10:15 to 11:30 AM), we will explore these many facets of self-doubt, including how self-doubt is associated with sabotage and imposter syndrome dynamics. Potential ways to overcome self-doubt will also be considered.
To register for this upcoming virtual seminar, please see the directions below.
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The Relationship Group Seminar: When Our Heart Wants and Our Mind Resists: Why and How We Push People Away
We've all been there -- the very thing we know we must do or not do in order to maintain a relationship, attract a potential partner or resolve a conflict we somehow find a way to blunder. And what we feared ends up happening! In no other context of life is this more common than in our romantic relationships, especially in the search for a viable partner during the dating phase. Inadvertently, we end up pushing people away -- burdening the new relationship and our partner with problems or issues that leave them with nothing else to do but leave us. In the next virtual meeting of the Relationship Group Seminar on Saturday, October 3, 2020 (11:45 AM to 1:00 PM), we will discuss the dynamics of how we unknowingly push people away, especially those we really want in our lives. The focus of this seminar will be on the unconscious (unacknowledged, unknown) phenomena underlying self-sabotaging tendencies that often lead to the dissolution of burgeoning relationships.
To register for this upcoming virtual seminar, please see the directions below.
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The Dynamic Psychotherapy Process Group
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 virtual group session will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2020 (1:15 to 2:30 PM). The Dynamic Psychotherapy Process Group is a therapeutic experience and entry occurs only after a pre-group screening interview.
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* Registration Directions: If you would like to attend the virtual meeting of the Men's Group Seminar and/or the Relationship Group Seminar on October 3, 2020, please RSVP to me at 949-338-4388 or jt@jamestobinphd.com at your earliest convenience. The fee is $25.00 (payable before entering the virtual meeting) and informed consent for participation in this telehealth event must be completed prior to the seminars. Please note that the Men's Group Seminar and the Relationship Group Seminar are psychoeducational in nature, not therapeutic, and do not constitute psychotherapy or counseling.
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