Thoughts about contemporary psychotherapy and personal growth from Karen Carnabucci, MSS, LCSW, TEP, non-traditional psychotherapist, coach, educator and psychodramatist at Lake House Health & Learning Center at 932 Lake Ave., Racine, Wis.
Thinking about the past year? Here is a way to make a good end to 2010:
Remember all of the painful and difficult experiences that took place. Write these experiences in your journal and say one by one, “I acknowledge and agree that this happened.”
Notices how you feel in your body when you make this acknowledgement.
Then remember all the joyful and wonderful experiences that took place during the year. Write these experiences in your journal and say one by one, “I acknowledge and agree that this happened.”
Notice how you feel in your body when you make this acknowledgement.
It's nearly 2011! That means that Wisconsin professionals think about making our goals while also figuring out how to get continuing education hours by Feb. 28.
The January training will help you learn how to make a vision board as fun and interesting tool to help your clients, students and other learners to focus on their dreams in a positive way. The training is designed for counselors, coaches and others who work with people who may need to set goals.
In this hands-on session with Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP, you make your own vision board and you will learn:
The story behind vision board tradition
Alternatives to vision "boards" for various populations.
How to carry the process for significant personal growth so the project is not craft-oriented or busy work.
How to integrate with additioinal experiential processes including psychodrama, guided imagery and others.
From 1 to 4 p.m. with three continuing education hours for social workers, licnesed professional counselors and addictions counselors, plus psychodrama credits. Tuition is $35 for program, materials, handout and credit hours. Send check to Lake House and contact Karen at (262) 633-2645 to reserve. Details on this and other trainings here.
Here's an example of a vision board that I recently created:
Book update
I'm hard at work at writing "Integrating Psychodrama & Systemic Constellation Work: New Directions For Action Methods, Mind-Body Therapies And Energy Healing" with my co-author Ron Anderson. Our deadline is February 2011and Jessica Kingsley Publishers tells us the book will be published in August 2011.
Karen to present at psychodrama conference
Karen will be presenting "Stories Of Our Ancestors" at the 69th annual conference of the American Society of Group Psychotherapy & Psychodrama on May 1, 2011 in Clearwater, Fla. For information on the full schedule of workshops and other events, find brochure here.
Constellation conference in 2011
The U.S. Systemic Constellations Conference is planned for Oct. 28-30 in San Francisco. It brings the Constellatins community together to enhance connection, belonging and expansion. Whether you are a Constellation professional practicing or learning Systemic Constellation Work or new to this healing process, please explore the full web site for details on the many presentations and workshops.
Eating disorders resource
Gurze offers a free 48-page catalogue with more than 200 carefully selected eating disorder resources including books, DVDs, newsletters, free articles, facts about eating disorders and a list of treatment facilites. Here's the order link.
I keep this catalog available for my clients and supervisees. Gurze is offering a 50 percent discount until the end of the year to get the word out. Also, check out the newly reorganized bulimia.com web site, which inlcudes "Quick Links" on the right-hand menu bar, with topic-driven, hand-selected articles, books and information.
Sand tray training
Postive comments on the recent "Sand Tray Theatre" training for professionals, when participants had the hands-opportuonity to create a series of sand tray scenes, starting with gentle work with their hands in the sand and then continuing with various vignettes for various therapeutic and coaching issues.
We ended up with this final scene:
Among the comments on the evaluations:
"This should be a series!"
"I liked the hands-on aspect."
"I can see how I can use this with my clients."
"Great personal growth..."
This is one of the most popular trainings at Lake House, and it will be offered again in 2011 for those who requested it. Next training program: "One-To-One Psychodrama For Individual Psychotherapy, Coaching & Personal Growth" on Feb. 18. See calendar.
"Listening can be the greatest meditation"
Philosopher Eckert Tolle talks about listening to patients in this great video -- not just with words but also with presence of heart, mind and spirit. "The most important part is the energy field of listening," rather than just the story, which elevates the human interaction and avoids deletion in the helper.
As the year ends, we remember all the goodness that has happened at Lake House during 2010.
We've introduced spiritual teacher Markus Kasunich, had fun with InterPlay, and made healing art in the open art studio with artist Robin Mitchell, plus enjoyed a succesful and well-attended Health & Gift Fest.
We've hosted Marybeth Buchele, who's become our visiting resident homeopath, offering workshops, classes and appointments with homeopathic and natural remedies, the only homeopathic practice in Racine. (She'll be back in January!)
People have come from Illinois, Milwaukee, Racine, Union Grove, Burlington and Kenosha to take part in our new "Ancestors Constellations & Healing" groups, and particpants in our trainings for helping professionals and educators have been enthusiastic.
It's been gratifiying to have so many people embrace these new ideas and programs. Stay tuned for more. We have great programs coming up for 2011.
Keep holidays happy and healthy.
See my blog with lots of tips to stay healthy and enjoy the holiday season. Avoid overeating and overdrinking, rest and have remedies for colds and flu.
Make sure your insurance company isn't overcharging you!
Here's important news from the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers:
Insurance companies are attemping to undermine the new mental health parity bill with high co-payments. The chapter has been informed of at least three insurance companies in Wisconsin that have charged consumers specialty doctor co-pays instead of a primary doctor copay as the result of the new mental health parity law.
Federal regulations prohibit the charging of a specialty doctor co-pay for mental health services. Anyone who is charged a specialty doctor copay instead of a primary doctor copay should file a complaint with the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. You also should send Marc Herstand, execuctive director of the Wisconsin NASW chapter, a copy of any response from Office of Commnisioner of Insurance.
When people (men, politicians) cry...
Such a good blog post, we want recommend it. A little essay on crying, inspired by John Boehner, U.S. Congressman who will be the new speaker of the House.
Tune into this beautiful solstice video
Truly we are all one in this beautiful universe. Enjoy!
You can turn this phrase into reality with some thought and planning.
The key is to take care of yourself.
Many people have learned to use flower essence remedies for calming at stressful or busy times. Here's a link from educator Nancy Buono, who tells how you can pick flower remedies to keep your spirits light, avoid discouragement and deal with the chaos that is present in some families.
Make sure you get enough sleep, always a good plan for people who want to keep their emotions even. Make sure that you are eating properly and stay away from sugary and salty items if they are trigger foods for you. This is the time of year that I make a list of meals and snacks that I can eat daily and keep away from sugar, which is an addictive substance for me.
Overeaters Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous can help you to refrain from overeating and drinking if you expect to be tempted. Some communities and clubs have all-day meetings for recovering alcoholics and many find online "meetings" helpful, especially when the weather is cold, cold, cold. Use your search engine like Google to find online meetings that stretch around the globe.
Thanks to Hazelden, here is realistic advice for family members who are dreading the holidays due to someone else's drinking. The advice comes from Bob Poznanovich, formerly an interventionist, who defies the myth that the holidays are not a good time to get help.
Worried about a catching a bug? There are many natural remedies that will help build your immune system. See your neighborhood acupuncturist or natural food store for healing teas (yin chiao) and other herbs like astralagus that you can add to your chicken soup to fortify your immune system.
If you want to go the homeopathic route, natural remedies like Allium cepa helps with runny noses, colds and red watery eyes; Oscillococcinum helps with symptoms of flu, like fever, chills, body aches and pains.
Finally, remember to rest. With all the bustle, remember that your body needs rest to heal and recharge.
Just about every news channel and every other Internet article is commenting on the tears of John Boehner, the congressman who cried on the 60 Minutes news program the other week. And just about every news commentator is analyzing those tears -- is he weak? Does he have an emotional problem -- as Barbara Walters says -- or is crying a virtue because he is showing his feelings as a sensitive man?
This bit of news brings up lots of opportunities to talk about feelings, as one blogger on The New York Times who questioned why a man -- who will be the most powerful Republican in Congress -- is tearing up while talking about opportunities for himself in the United States with has a record of two decades in Congress voting "against nearly every boost for the working stiff. "
Much of the current "debate" is focusing on when or if it’s appropriate for men in public life to cry. However, we have to be careful about jumping to conclusions about tears and what they mean, whether they are leaking out of men's eyes, or women's eyes or anyone else's eyes.
Tears, in themselves, mean nothing in particular. In counseling, we learn that everyone cries at some times, even sociopaths. Alcoholics have cried buckets of tears and then go out the next day to take the next drink, not at all mindful about the havoc their drinking wreaks for families. Abusers sob about their sorry-ness and promise never to hurt anyone again -- and then continue to batter the people they say they love while refusing to find help to address their anger. It's been reported that former president George Bush cried after visiting wounded service people and just last month when talking with NBC's Matt Lauer about facing a military family after their son's death. And, of course, we also know about the tears of Brett Farve on the day of his first retirement.
What is important about crying is the experience. Is the person -- man or woman -- actually able to actually feel his or her feelings -- or do they seem to have a life of their own, separate from our humanness and personal vulnerability? Do the feelings impact on his or her relationship with other people in a positive way? For instance, are the person's feelings able to be integrated into a sense of empathy with other people's feelings, experiences and needs? Does that empathy advance the quality of relationship because we are sensitive to the needs and feelings and vulnerabilities of others?
Crying is an important emotional release and often serves as a great stress reliever. Asked to give suggestions about whether to cry or not, I typically recommend crying -- it is entirely human. But what we really need is empathy, sensitivity and humanness in all of us -- including our nation's leaders.
We had people dancing with smiles on their faces for the InterPlay programs in November! If you missed the groups with Georgia Jean Kaftan, she'll be back this weekend for more.
More fun, more joy and more opportunities to connect with self and others, that is. Enjoy the introductory program and learn how InterPlay is changing the world at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, and bring light to season at the "Re-Visioning The Darkness" at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4.
Free will donation for the Friday program; $10-15 donation for Saturday program.
Thursdays through Dec. 16 Open art studio with Robin Mitchell Dec. 2 Holidays, Peace And Families: Systemic Constellation Work with Karen Carnabucci Dec. 4 Blessing Of The Gifts, when we'll sort, package and bless gifts for the needy in Racine County, our annual charity project. Dec. 15 Professional Networking Women
Make best use of your insurance benefits before Dec. 31
The clock runs out on your 2011 health insurance benefits on Dec. 31. Take advantage of your regular health insurance or other health savings accounts right now by scheduling for your health care needs, including psychotherapy. This is especially important if you've paid a big deductible throughout the year. Contact your insurance company for visit your insurance site online for details.
Need a gift? We have gifts at Lake House
Give the gift of health and well being with a gift certificate from Lake House Health & Learning Center. It won't be the wrong size or the wrong color but will say "I care" in a big way.
Gift certificates for coaching, psychotherapy and Tarot For Self Discovery personal growth sessions are available from Karen Carnabucci, licensed psychotherapist and coach.
Gift certificates for massage, Reiki, Reiki-ssage and Reiki-Reflex are available from Helene Hellesen, certified massage therapist and Reiki master. Pure bliss!
Gift certificates for feng shui consultation sessions are available from Niiti Gannon and Sea Daniel of Wind Water Feng Shui. They're good for the holidays, as well as housewarmings, anniversaries and engagements of the season.
We also have our newly published Lake House Cookbook available for just $5 with many of the healthy recipes we've enjoyed for our five years at Lake House. See web site for contact information or call (262) 633-2645.
Free housecleaning for cancer patients
If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning thanks to Cleaning For A Reason.
The services take place once per month for four months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her ZIP code area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire United States and currently has 547 partners that help. Be a blessing to someone and pass this information.
Slow down and breathe...
Take a moment to slow down and breathe with this video of images and music:
InterPlay is an active, creative way to unlock the wisdom of the body. InterPlay is easy, fun, and life changing. It is based in a series of incremental "forms" that lead participants to movement and stories, silence and song, ease and amusement. In the process, we discover the wisdom in ourselves and our communities.
InterPlay integrates body, mind, heart and spirit. Life has become so fragmented. InterPlay helps to pull everything back together so we get more of what we want.
Georgia Jean Kaftan, left, practicing the fun of InterPlay.
InterPlay teaches the language and ethic of play in a deep and powerful way. If you are convinced that seriousness is the path to inner wisdom, then you might want to look elsewhere. If you would like to become a "recovering serious person," then InterPlay might be for you.
Georgia Jean Kaftan, a retired attorney, recovering "serious person" and certified InterPlay leader, will facilitate the Nov. 19 and Dec. 3 evening introductions and the Nov. 20 and Dec. 4 afternoon "Revisioning The Dark" InterPlay programs at Lake House. Maybe she'll even talk about how InterPlay changed her. See calendar for specific info
Veterans Day was last week but every day is an important day to refocus attention on the sacrifices and needs of those who risked their lives in service to our country. Psychologist Ken Pope offers this list of resources for people in the military, veterans, veterans' families and friends and and professionals who are interested in helping veterans here.
The use of a sand tray and miniatures offers an engaging way to work with children, teens, adults, couples and groups. Sand tray can be used to clarify and resolve the conflicting energies, motivations, values, and voices that often contribute to a sense of “stuckness.”
The process also engages people who may have difficulty in talking about their problems or life issues. In Friday's training with Karen Carnabucci, MSS, LCSW, TEP, you will learn:
What is needed to add sand tray to your work repertoire.
How to introduce sand tray processes to the people you work with.
The use of sand tray for self disclosure, identifying problems and problems solving.
Options for the use of sand tray with other creative arts
From 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Nov. 12, with three continuing education hours and psychodrama hours. Tuition is $35. Handouts and beverages will be provided; in addition, participants will have the opportunity to purchase “starter” miniatures for a nominal fee of $5.
Here's a picture of a sand tray creation with one of my clients, who was addressing personal and professional growth in embodying leadership and power. She was given the opportunity to express her vision of embodying power. At the beginning of the process, the items were spaced far apart; by the end of the process, she pulled them together in this arrangement.
She gave permission to share this picture-- take a look:
The arrangement of items looks like a mandala, doesn't it? The maker used a variety of images of women's bodies, plus ritual items such as a bundle of sage and a smudging feather.
As always, Karen's trainings offer continuing education credits for social workers, licensed professional counselors and addiction counselors, plus psychodrama credits.
There is a body of research that shows that mindfulness meditation does significantly reduce the relapse rate of depression. This research is now being embraced by many practitioners of Western medicine – even some quite conservative ones!
With more of my clients seeking non-medication resources for depression, here's a book for laypersons that I like to recommend:
The Mindful Way Through Depression: Freeing Yourself From Chronic Unhappiness by J. Mark G. Williams, John D. Teasdale, Zindel V. Segal, Jon Kabat-Zinn. Guilford Press, Through simple lessons drawn from Eastern meditative traditions and cognitive-behavioral therapy, this book demonstrates how to sidestep old habits such as rumination and self-blame that inevitably lead to despair, so people can face life’s challenges with greater resilience. Jon Kabat-Zinn gently and encouragingly narrates the accompanying CD of guided meditations.
E-books available
Check out Karen's e-books for sale at Lake House Health & Learning Center's store.
The Psychodrama Notebook (formerly Practical Psychodrama) is a great review for psychodrama certification candidates and anyone who wants an overview of the magical action method of psychodrama. Whole Person Marketing gives practical and creative ideas for building and marketing holistic practices.
We've been having a lot of fun putting together Saturday's Fall Health & Gift Fest.
It's 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lake House Health & Learning Center, and it's definitely not your ordinary holiday fair. We've assembled artisans, chefs, writers, health professionals and others with beautiful jewelry, hats, purses, photographs, eco-journals and much more.
Find the whole list of artisans and events, plus pictures, here. And join us -- no admission, just a donation of non-perishable food for the Racine County Food Bank. You'll find us at 932 Lake Ave., just across from Gateway Technical College in Racine.
How to make a meaningful holiday?
Every year I ask myself, "What would make a meaningful holiday for me?" And I ask my clients. And I ask anyone else, too.
The more answers I get, the more thoughtful I can become about creating a good and positive holiday for myself.
This is the time when we often feel overwhelmed with all the demands of the holiday. The truth is that many people face the holidays with dread, disgust, fear or worse – or a combination of the above.
For some people, the holidays are a time of emotional stress and financial pressure. We may feel the special loneliness as we miss important people who have departed our lives through death, divorce or residential moves. We may be stirred with feelings of regret or distress about family relationships that are filled with tension when we wish there could be love.
Yes, we need to think about this. But we must be aware of thinking too much and we need to marry our thoughts and plans with the context and gifts of experience.
The logical question that I have learned to ask myself is:
“What kind of meaningful experiences can I create at this time of year for myself and those I love?”
If I want to experience joy, I strive to give myself opportunities to put myself in situations where I will find joy – taking part in activities that are fulfilling and enjoyable and spending time with people who are healthy, warm and positive.
Although not every experience during the season can fit that assignment, my intention is that most of my decisions will lead to good experiences.
The experiences that I create will live within me.
I carry those good experiences wherever I go, just like I hold the memory of my prom date that I created as a woman in my thirties. Furthermore, I can revisit those experiences within myself that are warm and comforting – no matter what time of year they took place.
So today and during this holiday season, I wish you good experiences. Experiences that will build warm feelings and good memories.
I also wish that we can value the gifts we contain within ourselves:
The brain – which thinks and reasons – is a gift. And the body – which senses and holds much unconscious material – is also a gift.
Perhaps you are remembering a good moment, a moment of joy that you treasure that makes you smile, or a moment of logic that failed and gave you a great and important learning. Or your own discovery how your brain and emotions have successfully worked together for the good of you.
Have you been with a friend who's tripped on the edge of the rug -- and you felt an inner twinge as you watched that stumble?
That's because of mirror neurons, a little known but newly discovered aspect of our amazing brains. A mirror neuron is a neuron that fires when a person acts and when a person observes the same action performed by another. It seems that the neurons "mirror" the behavior of the other, as though the observer was himself or herself taking action.
This new discovery has many implications for those of us who practice psychodrama and experiential therapy such as dance therapy, drama therapy and other expressive therapies where some people watch others. This means that we "take in" the new healing image even if we are not actively participating, but simply watching other people. It also has implications about what images are imprinted in our brain and our consciousness when we watch movies, walk around in our neighborhoods and spend time with other people.
Best-selling author, political adviser and social and ethical prophet Jeremy Rifkin investigates mirror neurons, the evolution of empathy and the profound ways that it has shaped our development and our society in this funny and profound YouTube video:
There’s a crispness in the air, and the holidays are approaching…
Lake House Health & Learning Center will open its doors on Saturday, Nov. 13, at 932 Lake Ave., for its Fall Health & Gift Fest and celebrate its fifth anniversary.
We’ll transform our facility into a cornucopia showcasing local artisans, shopkeepers, health professionals and health resources who will share their wares with the public -- just in time for holiday shopping..
Among the treasures you will find are jewelry, purses, photography, art, crafts, natural soap and body products, Chinese healing teas, cookbooks, cultural gift items, and gift certificates for massage, coaching, personal development sessions and other health services.
Tracy Bernhardt (Labyrinth Herbals) will offer handmade herbal infused soaps, lip balms and bath tea.
Christiana Eckert will offer photographs, with all benefits to support the work of SmileTrain, which provides cleft palate surgery to impoverished children around the world.
Leayn Tabili (Anthelion Hancrafted Jewelry) will offer a variety of contemporary jewelry including beading and chain maille as well as purses and other accessories.
Bev Schumacher (Learning Props) will offer quality educational games and books for English and bilingual preschool learning.
Barb McCloskey (Beaderella Jewelry) will offer a variety of handmade jewelry including necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
Craftswoman Marge Meyers will offer handmade purses and hats.
Craftswoman Penny Schaubel will offer felted hats for adults and children.
Harmony Botanics
Carol Smith (Harmony Botanics) will offer a line of natural body washes, body oils and lotions, lip balms, soy candles that have been scented with pure essential oils and certified organic spices.
Kathryn Rouse (MayaWorks) will offer the colorful textiles woven by Guatamalan women along with other handcrafts from this fair trade nonprofit organization that promotes economic development for Mayan women and their families.
Sara Lancaster (Re.told Journals) will offer handmade vintage book and eco-chic journals.
Humor writer Mary Tompsett (Posing As Normal) will offer a peek at her recently published novel, Whinny From The Heart, with the idea that fun and humor are an integral part of health and well being. She'll also sell a collection of her humor columns, with proceeds to benefit the Racine County Food Bank.
Ben Lehner of Circa Celeste (Circa Celeste) will bring soups and muffin mixes to purchase for gifting or for yourself to make the holidays tasty and easy for entertaining friends and family.
In addition, Helene Hellesen, certified massage therapist and Reiki master and owner of Massage Pause, will offer chair mini-massages and gift certificates.
Labyrinth Herbals
Karen Carnabucci, creative arts psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker at Lake House Health & Learning Center, will demonstrate the use of the Tarot images for personal growth and answer questions about experiential and non-traditional psychotherapy. Her Lake House cookbook will debut with natural and healthy snack, food and beverage favorites collected through the five years at Lake House.
Arthur Shattuck, practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine and owner of Roots And Legends, will offer healing teas and quality medicinal chocolate, miso soup and a miso cookbook and answer questions about food for healing.
Marge Meyers creations
Michele Foy, life coach, will demonstrate her method for communicating directly with the subconscious with the use of a pendulum. She will show exactly how to achieve pain relief, stop smoking and get rid of fears that are interfering with living your life to the fullest. She will offer a free instruction packet and you may purchase a "Phone for the Subconscious," if you feel that you might need one.
In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to take a look at a full-spectrum light box that is a non-medication alternative to Seasonal Affective Disorder, sometimes known as "winter blues" or "winter depression" due to the lower level of sunlight in the winter.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no charge to attend although visitors are encouraged to bring a donation of non-perishable food items for the Racine County Food Bank.
For more information on specific artisans and their wares as well as directions, call (262) 633-2645 or join Lake House’s page on Facebook.
Just a couple of spaces left for our all-day women's retreat and training with Gerlinde Gelina and Systemic Constellation Work on Oct. 30. See details here.
How I used Sand Tray Theatre to remember a murder victim
Our community of Racine has been shaken this month with a brutal murder of a good-hearted community volunteer in the woods in the city's Sixth Street neighborhood. A chronic offender has been charged with the crime, but this incident has still been a common topic in the sanctuary of the healing space at Lake House as people have responded with anger, fear, worry, confusion and sadness.
I had the opportunity to use the healing power of the sand tray with a client who was was struggling to find her way out of her thoughts and feelings of grief and distress.
Sand tray, adapted from the sandplay approach of Jungian analyst Dora Kalff, is a rich experiential option for working with people when words are not enough. It's the training topic for Nov. 12 and is useful with so many populations and situations.
My client -- who has given me permission to share her sand tray image -- honored the deceased woman while also transforming her personal image of the murder site, a strip of woods near the city's Sixth Street to one of healing and honor. Her memorializing image included several sheltering trees, an open hand to illustrate the murder victim's giving nature -- one of the victim's last generous actions involved giving quarters to people in laundromats -- stones with favorite insprational words "laugh" and "imagine" and a filmy purple butterfly to signify transformation.
Here is her image:
Sand tray as a memorial to a great loss.
She arrived distressed, talking quickly and shaking and left peaceful and accepting. These are the kinds of transformations that can take place with experiential therapies that work with the mind, body and pirit
Training for Sand Tray Theatre: Using Miniatures In Action is Nov. 12 and offers continuing education credits. Fee is $35. See calendar for details; please sign up by Thursday, Nov. 11, by calling (262) 633-2645.
Trauma resources
Thanks to Dr. Christine Dunning, professor at the Trauma Counseling II class at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, for these excellent resources for trauma:
PubMed comprises more than 20 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals and online books. Use search function to find what you're looking for, including free full-text articles.
CSA Illumina provides user-friendly searches to more than 100 databases published by CSA and its publishing partners including the social sciences.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network focuses information for parents, caregivers and a varietyh of professionals on children's issues, including many, many trauma topics, treatment facts, audio and multi-media presentations and funding opportunities.
Dealing with sticky client situations?
Even experienced therapists encounter road blocks during client sessions or have difficulty dealing with certain client situations. For example, when a client is crying uncontrollably or resists making changes or doing homework.
New Harbinger is proud to offer Quick Tips for Therapists—fast and free solutions to common sticky client situations mental health professionals encounter. Find Quick Tips for Therapists on the book publisher' site.
Karen's e-books available
Check out Karen's e-books for sale at Lake House Health & Learning Center's store.
The Psychodrama Notebook (formerly Practical Psychodrama) is a great review for psychodrama certification candidates and anyone who wants an overview of the magical action method of psychodrama. Whole Person Marketing gives practical and creative ideas for building and marketing holistic practices.
Men who are veterans who served for Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) can help with a well-being study while earning up to $299 for their participation.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison will start a Veteran's Wellness Study at the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at the Waisman Center. The study will examine the effects of complementary and alternative programs on health and well-being for recently returned veterans.
The study will take place at the the university's Waisman Center in November or December or both months. Depending on the level of their hours of participation, participants can be paid up to $299.
Veterans who are interested should e-mail at wellness@mailplus.wisc.edu or call (608) 263-0803 to schedule a screening appointment.
(We don't see anything for women veterans, who also served. Maybe next time...)
When we're under the intoxicating influence of love, we often miss seeing signs that pop up in our daily life to give us clues as to whether we're on the right track.
So says Judith Orloff, an intuitive practitioner and medical doctor who is one of my favorite authors and mentors on intuition and how to use it in service of daily life. The solution is to slow down enough to recognize and listen to your intuitive intelligence, it can reveal truth, warn you of danger, or help you understand people and relationship situations in new ways.
In the popular "Who Do You Think You Are?" television series, filmmaker Spike Lee traveled to Georgia to learn about his once–enslaved ancestors. He used census records, U.S. slave schedules dating to 1860 and historical newspapers to find answers. He was able to visit the actual land his great–great–grandfather owned after emancipation. Spike then headed to Texas to meet a descendant of his family’s former slave owner, a woman who is most likely his distant cousin.
The discoveries of Spike's journey mirrored the exciting discoveries of celebrities including Brooke Shields, Susan Sarandon, Emmitt Smith and Sarah Jessica Parker as investigated the roots of their family trees.
It's interesting to watch the surge of interest in genealogy, family history and ancestors with the general public as I study and practice Systemic Constellation Work, the experiential healing process that explores the invisible yet very powerful energetic connections and disconnections within our larger family systems.
In last night's session, our group worked to help a men connect with the love of his father while also strengthening the father's connection within the family system. Our summer Constellation samplers have been very well received and we are adding more groups, including a women-only retreat on Saturday, Oct. 30, and shorter programs in November at Lake House and other locations. See calendar for more details and to sign up.
Constellation Work is an experiential process that moves to a deeper level than conventional counseling. This means that the impact of this work can be more immediate and more lasting than techniques that address the mind alone.
The process reveals unconscious hidden dynamics within a family system that impact people in subtle yet important ways. There are many difficult fates and traumatic experiences in previous generations may continue to create havoc as a hidden pattern in the present generation:
Early and premature deaths
Ostracized family members
Children of separated or divorced parents
Adopted children
Abortions, miscarriages and stillbirths
Survivors of war, holocaust, genocide or terrorism
Practitioners employ principles of Constellation Work in a variety of ways. In a group setting, a person chooses members from the group to represent some of their family members. As they are placed at various points in an open space, these representatives feel the effects of the family dynamics. The facilitator works with the representatives to restore balance, respect, dignity and love between members of the family. The method was developed by Bert Hellinger, psychotherapist and philosopher.
Newcomers are welcome to involve themselves at their own comfort level. Observing, as well as participating as a representative, is equally inspiring and moving in these groups. I am working with colleague Ron Anderson to write the book, "Psychodrama And Systemic Constellation Work: New Directions For Action Methods, Experiential Therapy And Energy Healing," scheduled to be published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers in 2011.
In the meanwhile, here is a message about ancestors from a Mayan elder about the Mayan view of ancestors and their message for the world:
From the orange pumpkins that piled at the markets, to the sheet ghosts fluttering from the trees, to the seemingly endless shelves of sparkly Christmas decor, to the new year's party invitation that might be in the mail, we are regularly reminded about the opportunities to be "happy" about the holidays.
Here at Lake House, we are doing our part to help you make the holiday season spiritually meaningful.
We are continuing to offer our Constellation groups, which work with family energies to bring new meaning to "peace on earth," starting with a women's retreat on Saturday and continuing weekday groups into December.
We are creating a Fall Health & Gift Fest on Nov. 13 so you can support local and regional artisans, craftpersons, innovators and chefs while keeping healthy and finding great treasures.
InterPlay arrives in November and December to celebrate the fruits of the coming darkness and bring joy and fun to our bodies and spirits! It will be a great seasonal experience with a friend or for yourself.
Finally, there is the Blessing of the Gifts, our eighth annual holiday project on Dec. 4 that gives to the needy while bringing joy to giving.
Twelve-step followers have a resource for recovery, a special guided imagery from Health Journeys called Guided Imagery for the 12 Steps of Recovery. It's recommended by Belleruth Naparstek, the psychotherapist who is the founder of Health Journeys. Find out more about how guided imagery can enhance recovery here.
Resource for end of life issues
For families dealing with end-of-life issues, Tender Legal Care is a sensitive and useful free e-book that gives lots of information about organ donation, living wills, chemotherapy, life support and artificially administered foods and fluids and more. You may find and download this 50-page e-book here, from Seasons Hospice.
Insurance notes
This is the time of year when employees have the opportunity to review their health insurance plans and make changes in their levels of coverage or select an alternate plan to start Jan. 1, 2011. One insurance plan that is taking enrollment during the month of October is WEA Trust, which offers health coverage for state employers, retirees and school district employees. If you qualify, you may want to take a special look at this respected plan.
Karen is now able to take Children's Community Health Plan insurance for psychotherapy services. For the full list of insurances that are taken, see this link.
Fest gets bigger!
We're pleased to have Ben Lehner from Circa Celeste offer his delicious soups and muffin mixes for gifts at our Nov. 13 Health & Gift Fest, plus Leayn Tabili of Anthelion Jewelry, Tracy Bernhardt of Labrynith Herbals and more. Watch for full list coming soon!
Help us find new digs!
932 Lake Ave. is for sale.
We can't move until it's sold! This beautiful Victorian building in the Southeast Historical District is zoned commercial and residential and has so many creative possibilities -- an upstairs apartment, plus a lower level sauna! Realtor is Pamela Cartwright -- see all details here. Then, let us know a great place that's available for rent.
Do you think that when you know why you have a problem -- whoosh! -- the problem will go away?
This desire to know more about the problem -- why we have it, when it started, how big it is and on and on -- is an old and tired therapeutic illusion. The fact is that you still have the problem -- you're just really well informed about it.
The solution is not to know why you have the problem but to have the problem disappear from your life so that you can move forward, unencumbered and free. This is exactly why experiential healing, including experiential psychotherapy, becomes so important. When we are open, experiential healing assists in making shifting our experience of the problem to an experience of peace and well-being.
Our fall schedule is replete with opportunities to find experiences that are life-changing. Whether you are communing with the images of the Tarot -- and letting them communicate with you -- or participating in the new Ancestors & Constellation gathering -- or making art -- you are giving yourself permission to make a shift.
Peruse your choices:
Karen Carnabucci facilitates the next Constellation gathering at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to look at the hidden problems in families that deny us inner peace with the use of Systemic Constellation Work, the emerging healing process coming from Germany to explore problems that have been intractable. We'll also have a powerful all-day group just for women with a Constellation focus. Gerlinde Gelina, a German native who has been involved in Constellation work for more than 14 years, will join Karen. (Continuing education credits will be offered to professionals). Then watch the schedule for additional opportunities to participate in other Constellation gatherings at Lake House and at Carolyn's Coffee Connection in Kenosha.
Robin Mitchell, Milwaukee artist and bodyworker, started open art studio last week. It happens every Thursday at 2 and 6 p.m. through Dec. 16. Attend as many studio sessions as you like and experience the healing power of the expressive arts.
If you are not familiar with art therapy, we've borrowed this video from YouTube by Cathy Malchiodi, an internationally known art therapist:
Homeopathic practitioner returns with new programs
Marybeth Buchele
Marybeth Buchele, our visiting homeopathic clinician, be back for two programs – Learn To Make Your Own Flower Essence To Ease Life's Emotional Challenges and Healing Winter Colds & Flu The Natural Way. She'll also be taking 1-1 appointments Oct. 19-21. See her site or Lake House's calendar for more info.
Save Nov. 13 date for our fun Fall & Gift Fest!
We'll be celebrating our fifth year at Lake House with a fun Fall Health & Gift Fest, bringing fabulous gifts such as jewelry, natural soaps, ethnic textiles, cookbooks and more, plus health and wellness ideas and offerings. Save the date and watch this space! (We have three more open spaces; if you know of an artisan who would complement current offerings, please let us know.)
I just returned from a five-day training in Systemic Constellation Work focusing on relationships, prosperity and success. Drawing on learnings from the retreat, we’ll take a look at various workshops at how relationships are impacted by unknown and unconscious matertial.
Dates for Constellation-related workshops are Oct. 12, Oct. 30 and Nov. 19. See more below:
Upcoming training
Every woman has a mother. Sometimes we are sisters. Sometimes our relationships are deep and love-filled, and other times we may feel regret, pain and a distance from our mothers or other female family members that we yearn to heal. In this all-day workshop on Oct. 30, we discover the challenges and gifts of the women in our families -- mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers and others -- who have impacted our lives. We also find ways to honor the feminine spirit that we carry within us.
In this workshop, Karen Carnabucci will join visiting psychotherapist Gerlinde Gelina, and both will employ the new Systemic Constellation Work from Germany to explore the heart and soul of these relationships. You will learn:
The background of Systemic Constellation Work
How this new experiential healing process was developed and how it is different from traditional psychotherapy
The approach of the method and how family rank and love are viewed
Why ancestors are important to our well-being
Fee for the day is $95 if registered by Oct. 25 at (262) 633-2645 and $120 thereafter. Partial insurance coverage may be available for the psychotherapy portion of the program, and continuing education certificate for helping professionals will be provided for social workers, addiction counselors, licensed professional counselors and others, plus psychodrama credits. Learn more about Gerlinde Gelina here.
Training date change
Sand Tray Theatre, the professional training that teaches adaptions for sand tray, has been rescheduled to Nov. 12. This has been a popular workshop in the past year and there's always something new to learn.
Judy Conti, a practitioner of acupuncture in Milwaukee, has found that knowledge of experiential methods which she gained in group trainings and individual supervision sessions has helped her in her work with patients.
She told one of her longtime acupuncture patients – who already has made great progress in her health goals – about the “double” role play technique after the patient reported feeling haunted by painful past memories.
Judy, who is also a registered nurse and has other trauma training with University of Wisocnsin-Milwaukee, used the double technique in a simple way to provide containment of emotions and followed with an acupuncture session to address post-trauma stress. She reports:
“She absolutely loved the PTSD treatment and the containing double. Over the course of the summer, she has come back for four more treatments, and I told her yesterday I have never seen her look so serene. I think this containing double is awesome for some people. It really validated her and seemed to strengthen her from the inside. I thank the group and, of course, Karen especially for the learning of this safe and very healing way of helping people.”
A big oops!
I misspelled the link for Kerry Tharp's mosiac art studio in the previous newsletter. See her beautiful art and information about her work at Mosaics By Kerry.
Conference invite -- you too!
Karen Carnabucci is pleased to have been invited to present Stories Of Our Ancestors at the annual conference of the American Society of Group Psychotherapy & Psychodrama April 28 to May 2, 2011 in Clearwater, Fla. See conference info and registration details here.
Conference
Interested in drama therapy, a cousin of psychodrama? The National Association of Drama Therapy will have its annual conference Nov. 4-7 in Chicago, Ill. See NADT conference info here.
Mirror neurons and why they're so important
For years, I've been preaching about how what we observe is damaging or helpful -- important distinctions when we discuss health and healing. Now science is showing that mirror neurons in the brain determine what feelings and actions we observe when watching others will "download" into our own brains and affect us strongly. It also appears that these mirror neurons help create empathy within us.
Enjoy this enlightening and fun video:
E-books available
Check out Karen's e-books for sale at Lake House Health & Learning Center's store.
The Psychodrama Notebook (formerly Practical Psychodrama) is a great review for psychodrama certification candidates and anyone who wants an overview of the magical action method of psychodrama. Whole Person Marketing gives practical and creative ideas for building and marketing holistic practices.
by J. Mark G. Williams, John D. Teasdale, Zindel V. Segal, Jon Kabat-Zinn. Guilford Press, Through simple lessons drawn from Eastern meditative traditions and cognitive-behavioral therapy, this book demonstrates how to sidestep old habits such as rumination and self-blame that inevitably lead to despair, so people can face life’s challenges with greater resilience. Jon Kabat-Zinn gently and encouragingly narrates the accompanying CD of guided meditations.
