March 14, 2012

Dear Colleagues,

We have just finished the spectacular 25th Annual International Conference on Control Mastery Theory. The week began with an Introductory Course on CMT, Saturday, March 3, taught by Steve Kanofsky, Jan Schreiber, and myself that featured a new emphasis on doing plan formulations, an idea that originated with John and Terry Gibbins who helped organize the Introductory Course last October.

John noted that clinicians are hungering for a useful way to formulate cases and he was right. In this month's Intro Course, the audience was so enthusiastic about formulating the case presentation according to Goals, Obstructions (Pathogenic Beliefs), Tests, Insights, and Traumas that they refused to stop for a coffee break and demanded to finish the plan formulation in its entirety. Some attendees continued as participants in the week-long conference from March 5 through March 9. Read On

The 25th Annual International Workshop was a rousing success, with two dozen or more participants from the Bay Area, all over the US, and internationally. This year, an emphasis was placed on bringing new presenters into the process, creating a rotation system so that the same presentations are not given every year, except for the core classes. This worked well, and several new presenters and past presenters who had not been seen for some time had a chance to present, though it sadly meant that several of our devoted long time presenters were unable to present (but will be seen next year!).

All in all, the program went very well, more like years past, last year's Workshop being an exception, when 20+ students from Norway attended the workshop. We look forward to our next year's Workshop, and thanks to all who participated and especially those who did so much to make it possible, especially our organizer, Susan Landes, and our always hard working Rob Petitpas!

A special thanks to our faculty of presenters and discussion leaders: Paul Abrinko, Jessica Broitman, Jack Bugas, Marshall Bush, Heather Clague, John Curtis, Bill Dickman, Lambert Domingo, Carol Drucker, Steve Foreman, Valentina Gandini, Suzanne Gassner, John Gibbins, Paula Gregg, Harriet Grooh, John Gualteri, Sheryl Hausman, Gina Keys, Susan Landes, Jack Maslow, Bret McLaughlin, Lynn O'Connor, Alan Rappaport, Paul Ransohoff, Tom Rosborow, Peter Schumacher, George Silberschatz, Molly Sullivan, Eric Taggart, & Denny Zeitlin.

An additional thanks to those who made themselves available as consultants to requesting participants: Steve Foreman, Mike Lowenstein, Bill Mehan, Mia Salavery & Peter Schumacher.

Our next big event is a presentation on June 2nd, "Looking at Psychotherapy Outcome: The Therapeutic Relationship and Treatment Outcome." This day-long conference, jointly sponsored with the Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis, focuses on the fundamental question of how psychotherapy works.

Louis Breger presents work from his new book, "Psychotherapy: Lives Intersecting" in which patients that he treated during his 50 years of practice report, in their own words, what was helpful and what was not helpful in their therapies.

George Silberschatz will present findings from his recent process-outcome research, which systematically evaluated how the therapeutic process is linked to treatment outcome. Suzanne Gassner will discuss Breger and Silberschatz's papers and lead a panel discussion with them and the audience.

This all-day workshop, to be held at the SF JCC, promises to be intellectually stimulating and clinically useful. Early registration is strongly advised! Further details and registration information can be found on our website: www.sfprg.org or you can click the link below.

We had an interesting evening learning about various research studies at the annual conference earlier this month. (The pizza and beer was just an extra treat.) The event was well attended, especially by students and trainees.

John Snyder, a psych assistant at the clinic in his second year, presented his study results from an ongoing study at our clinic regarding therapist and patient attunement. He will be presenting a paper based on the results at the Society for Psychotherapy Research international conference this summer. Luxsiya Nageswaran, an intern from Norway, gave some highlights from her dissertation. In future newsletters, we'll have both write about their work.

There are many ways that we can provide active support for one of the important legs of our group - research. One way to show your support would be to become a mentor. We have a need for mentors for students who would like to focus their research on Control Mastery topics.

In the Bay Area we have the benefit of several graduate programs that offer group members on staff (e.g., Patsy Wood and Steve Kanofsky at the Wright Institute.) But there are students out there interested in CM topics who are not enrolled in programs with strong CM support. If you would like to work with a student on their research ideas, send me a note. You can reach me at GingerRhodes@comcast.net.

In the last month the clinic has been buzzing with activities. We have had an active training schedule - thanks to all who have been teaching, you are amazing -and our trainees were involved in the March workshop. John Snyder, PhD. presented some of the research that has been conducted at the clinic. He is doing an interesting series of studies on attunement , looking at how in tune the therapist and patient are in session amongst other issues.

Jessica and I have been finding the new trainee cohert. We are still very much in process of finalizing our choices. At this point we have taken three new people: Gena Castro who will be a pre-doc intern; Dr Valerie Crawford who is retraining from being a researcher to a clinician and will be a Psych-assistant and Joy Philips who is an MFT intern and is returning to the area from the east coast. We will also be welcoming a Norwegian - Inger Louise Hole- in August. We are very excited about the group that will be joining us.

The clinic is much in need of new supervisors since our intern group has grown a great deal. Anyone who is interested in donating an hour a week, please call me at 510-527-1943. Thanks in advance for your help.

Carol Drucker, PhD

Training Director

Hello SFPRGC&T Members,

In last month's issue I discussed bringing back our "TownHall" meeting for members as a way for you to give the board feedback on how you see your group progressing. We discontinued the "TownHall" when we thought the interest had waned and it seems that more members want that closer connection again. Watch for more information to follow about bringing back your "Town Hall" forum.

We have progressed in establishing closer connections between board members and our interns at the clinic. We want these people to know they are welcome to SFPRG in a deeper, more personal way. We see our interns as the future leaders of SFPRG and want to provide as many opportunities for closeness as possible. You'll be hearing more about our new interns who begin in the Fall from the clinic and training center. We are quite proud of these interns' accomplishments!

For the second year the membership committee has hosted a Welcome Luncheon for the 16 people new to the conference. Board President Steve Foreman and board member Harriettee Grooh gave a warm welcome and we heard from attendees an introduction of themselves. We were pleased to host about 15 people at our yearly New Attendees Welcome Luncheon. We will again host this event next year. Thank you attendees!

The membership committee sees our commitment to our interns as a vital aspect of being a membership based group. Of course, we reach out to our enewsletter readership also. We understand these are financially rough times and funds may not be readily available for membership and we ask you to consider that your membership is a commitment to Control Mastery Theory, its research, education, clinic and training programs and offer important contacts for your professional life.

Thank you for considering re-joining and beginning a membership in SFPRG. We'll all benefit!

25 Years Jubilee

San Francisco 25th Annual International Conference on Control Mastery Theory Greetings and congratulations to you all in the celebration of the 25th anniversary of The Annual International Conference on Control Mastery Theory. These conferences and workshops have been fantastic! Unfortunately, it was not possible for me to attend this year. Becoming a grandfather involves both joys and obligations. However, my heart is with you!

I have had the privilege to be part of this - I think - 17 times. The first time was in 1990.

In 1989, at a conference by Society for Psychotherapy Research in Toronto, I was introduced to George Silberschatz, Steve Foreman, John Curtis, and John Gibbins by Martin Svartberg and Lee McCullough, Professors of Psychiatry. The group invited me to San Francisco the following year and the rest is history.

During the past 25 years I have experienced the best of US and San Francisco, both professionally and personally. I will always remember the numerous hours with Weiss and Samson and their colleagues (first The Mount Zion group and then The San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group), the inspiring teaching and supervision by the best teachers in US and the development of friendships and meetings with people from many nationalities.

You are wonderful people and have shared your experiences by lavish generosity. Thank you for your books, research papers, lectures - and love! (You are too many to mention)! The locations have also been inspiring: The Psychoanalytic Institute in Sutter Street, The Mount Zion Hospital, Fort Mason, The Jewish community Center, The Presidio..

Some of you have introduced me to your lovely families and I am so grateful for the tours, visits and especially the trips to Sonoma with the Silberschatzs. I have had dinners with many of you and even exotic dinners with Jessica, Steve and John Curtis. Marshall Bush and I now and then keep in touch about news on Northern Lights too!

In particular, I would like to thank Jessica for her generosity in relation to Norwegian students. I also wish to thank the different workshop organizing committees. The morning introduction group is still brilliant and should be the model for other conferences. This is not A conference, this is THE conference.

Today I feel both humbled and proud to be one of those who introduced CMT to Norway. This happened when I was Associate Professor in psychology at The University of Bergen.

Many others have participated in this from Norway: The psychoanalyst Merete Nergaard, The drs. Dag Oulie, Knut Bakstad, Helge Holgersen, Per Einar Binder and all the students that have been a part of the conference and the Group. I think Jan Martin Berge was the first Norwegian student who got his main psychotherapy practice within the group. And many followed.

In Norway, we have dissertations and research papers on CMT now, and in my opinion it is popular among the students and they love San Francisco. It is gaining footing!

I know there are many participants from Norway today, and I salute everybody who continues to stay with CMT! For me: As a psychoanalyst, CMT is a very important part of my frame of reference in understanding the process of psychotherapy.

Some of you have also been a part of The Cuenca Foundation and The Almagro Society in Spain (Cuenca and Almagro), and in Cuba (Havanna), where many psychologists and psychiatrists from South-America participated. (The CMT-workshops had to keep waitinglists!). We have also met in South-Africa. I thank you for your participation, and The Almagro Society look forward to future common projects and collaboration (probably in Dubai and Buenos Aires).

I also want to thank all of you who have worked for students from around the world. Thanks to your efforts - many of them have had their practice in San Francisco.

Thanks to the Weiss family and the Sampson family, to the core group behind the Mount Zion Psychotherapy Group (SF) and all of you who came to CMT and enriched it with doctoral degrees, research, books and teaching. I am quite sure that CMT will stand the test of time.

My best regards also to Rob, who probably received some flowers today.

The best wishes for the next 25 years!

With love, and best regards

The Almagro Society/ The Cuenca Foundation

Hans Peter Broch

Best wishes from

Dag Oulie

Tor Sletten

Kari Lossius

Knut Erling Bakstad

Per Einar Binder

Helge Holgersen

I'm extremely saddened to share with you the news of the recent, unexpected death of our colleague Dr. Jules Burstein. A forensic psychologist, Jules was the clinical consultation for our clinic on legal and ethical issues since the clinic's inception. Over the last 10 years there have been many times when his sage, thoughtful advice was invaluable to all of us. I'm so glad that he had recently spent several weeks training our interns on best clinical practices. They expressed great appreciation that they had this opportunity to have him to answer their questions.

Jules frequently provided expert witness in matters of: mitigation of criminal responsibility; psychological damages secondary to personal injury; sex offender evaluation; battered women syndrome; juvenile criminal cases and death penalty; sex harassment cases.

Jules was dedicated to protecting the rights of those most in danger of being overlooked and abused. He loved his profession and was recently working to reduce the participation of psychologists in prisoner interrogations. He was concerned about colleagues utilizing their professional training to participate in interrogations causing mental, emotional and physical pain as he did not consider such activity to be legitimate nor appropriate writing that " When the archetype of psychologist-as-healer becomes rationalized in this way, our professional integrity, and our role in assuaging human suffering is tragically compromised". We have lost a very special man, and I, a dear friend.

Emotional change in psychotherapy: Are interpretations more effective when in the context of patients testing pathogenic beliefs? by Haas, Suzanne B., Ph.D., The Wright Institute, 1994 , 202 pages; AAT 9418412

The role of conscious and unconscious guilt in adaptation to college by Nigrosh, Ellen Emerson, Ph.D., Smith College School for Social Work, 1994 , 164 pages; AAT 9433212

Therapeutic alliance and therapist performance on patients' tests by Bekeny, Thomas Gordon, Ph.D., Yeshiva University, 1993 , 114 pages; AAT 9328577

An exploration of the relationship between pro-plan insight and outcome in four brief psychotherapies by Edelstein, Susan, Ph.D., The Wright Institute, 1992 , 130 pages; AAT 9230076

Transference tests of unconscious pathogenic beliefs in therapy: The application of the San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group's plan formulation method to group psychotherapy by Courtney, Daniel Joseph, Ph.D., Smith College School for Social Work, 1992 , 264 pages; AAT 9305444

The effect of therapist interventions on patient progress in brief psychodynamic therapy by Tishby, Orya, Psy.D., Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, 1991 , 219 pages; AAT 9208945

Insight, the mind's eye: an exploration of three patients' processes of becoming insightful (control mastery theory, psychotherapy research, Morgan Patient Insight Scale) by Broitman, Jessica, Ph.D., The Wright Institute, 1986 , 136 pages; AAT 8520425

Examining the relationship between gender role conflict and interpersonal guilt in men by Thomas, Timothy Ray, Psy.D., The Wright Institute, 2008 , 123 pages; AAT 3345518

Survivor guilt in the African-American population by Pearl, Robyn Cannon, Psy.D., The Wright Institute, 2007 , 56 pages; AAT 3306476

Survivor guilt in the first-born mutual child in stepmother stepfamilies by Merrill, Elizabeth Gene, Psy.D., The Wright Institute, 2007 , 89 pages; AAT 3268622

Suicide survivor guilt: The relationship between interpersonal guilt and complicated grief in suicide bereavement by Fischer, Jill, Psy.D., The Wright Institute, 2006 , 113 pages; AAT 3207932

Sexual masochism, guilt, and the martyr mother phenomenon by Steiner, Robert C., Psy.D., Alliant International University, San Francisco Bay, 2004 , 131 pages; AAT 3133434

Unconscious guilt as an explanation for male genital exhibitionism by Marshall, Bernard M., Ph.D., Smith College School for Social Work, 2004 , 141 pages; AAT 3152227

Survivor guilt and transgenerational transmission of trauma in Jewish holocaust survivors and their children by Hirsch, Judith M., Psy.D., Alliant International University, San Francisco Bay, 2003 , 48 pages; AAT 3114120

Interpersonal guilt: The development of a new measure O Connor, Lynn E, Berry, Jack W, Weiss, Joseph, Bush, Marshall, Sampson, Harold. Journal of Clinical Psychology. Brandon: Jan 1997. Vol. 53, Iss. 1; pg. 73, 17 pgs

The relationship between attributional style and interpersonal guilt by Menaker, Andrew R., Ph.D., California School of Professional Psychology - Berkeley/Alameda, 1995 , 107 pages; AAT 9606695

EQUINE FACILITATED THERAPY for MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS

Mondays 10 am -12 pm / Next session begins Monday, March 26

New group for mental health practitioners and those involved in the healing arts. We are offering a level 1 and level 2 combined eight week group designed to familiarize and advance your skills in practicing Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy. We will move through most of the basic exercises and advance to more complex concepts. Most of the work is experiential, however there will be time for individual and group processing. Even If you are not considering integrating EFP into your healing work, this group can enhance your professional and personal growth tremendously! 16 CEUs provided. Provider #PCE4871.

EQUINE FACILITATED THERAPY GROUP Wednesdays 12 - 2 pm / Next session begins Wednesday, March 28 Come partner with horses to heal issues of grief, trauma, loss and/or major life stresses. Experience how horses provide a unique opportunity for awareness, growth and healing. Groups allow for experiential work with the horses as well as individual and group processing. No previous horse experience necessary. Prior assessment mandatory. Most major medical accepted Call 415-457-3800 for information and to schedule a brief assessment.

MAKE THE CONNECTION - Level 1 and Level 2 Workshops

Sunday, April 1 and Sunday, April 29, 10 am-4 pm for licensed and non-licensed mental health practitioners

Through experiential work, participants are introduced to and guided through this innovative and exciting field. The training will provide invaluable experience for those who are considering expanding their practice to include equine work, as well as enrich and enhance other aspect's of ones personal and professional life. The workshop includes instructor presentation, group discussion, and best of all, hands on work with several horses. Although this workshop is designed for mental health practitioners, the training is invaluable to anyone curious about the healing power of

EFP. 6 CEU's provided for each day. Provider #PCE4871.

Visit EquineInsight.net to learn more!

I am writing from Bend, Oregon, in my office in Bend's historic downtown neighborhood. After relocating from Mill Valley nearly a year ago, it's been a challenging, exciting, and inspiring adventure for my husband and me. I miss SFPRG which was just a few miles away.

On February 17th, 2012 I presented to about 25 at the Central Oregon Clinicians Network luncheon on: "Cults, 'High-Demand Groups', and Abusive Relationships: Healing From Trauma and Pursuing Healthy Goals." I provided a comprehensive overview of cult characteristics and categories (including "family" and "one-on-one" abusive relationships with similar dynamics), our vulnerability to recruitment and indoctrination, consequences of cult experience and the process of recovery for clients with whom I work. I described the effectiveness of drawing from Control Mastery Theory with this population, focusing on the disconfirmation of pathogenic beliefs from traumatic experience in cults and internalized beliefs of the leader as central to recovery.

During the lively discussion that followed, four out of 25 attending identified themselves as former cult members, in addition to my own self-disclosure as a former member years ago. A common response is the realization that cults are ubiquitous, causing varying degrees of harm to individuals, families, and societies.

Colleen Russell, CA LMFT, OR LPC, CGP

CA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC29249)

OR Licensed Professional Counselor (C2815)

Nationally Certified Group Psychotherapist

70 SW Century Drive, Suite 100-363

Bend, Oregon 97702

Mill Valley, CA 94941

541-306-6081

Websites: www.ColleenRussellmft.com;

http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/35727

Beautiful bright, very quiet, lovely furnished office, in a psychotherapy building. Available full or part time and may be shared by several therapists. 4333 California St.

Excellent parking and public transportation and parking. Three buses stop within one block. Convenient restaurants and shopping nearby.

The building has front door security lock and the office shares a waiting room and bathroom. The office has double doors, sound insulation, A signal light in the waiting room announces the arrival of an appointment.

Contact Irwin Gootnick, M.D. (415)221-5204 or igootnick@aol.com

Susan Landes, who co-taught a new workshop on Mindfulness with Lynn O'Connor did a wonderful job organizing the conference. She followed the Education Committee's mandate to develop new topics and to invite new teachers to teach. In addition to the excellent standard core courses on How Pathogenic Beliefs are formed (John Curtis), Plan Formulation (George Silberschatz), How Patients Test (Marshall Bush), Dreams (Paul Ransohoff, Tom Rosbrow, and Marshall Bush) and Technique (Peter Schumacher), many brand new workshops were offered. Peter did a wonderful job talking about Technique for the first time he has taught this class. Molly Sullivan presented an inspired workshop on Death, Grief, and CMT. Heather Clague gave a new talk on The Evolution of Human Cooperation and Implications for Treatment. Jack Bugas and 4 colleagues from Davis: Keys, Domingo, Gregg, and McLaughlin, presented a very interesting talk on Working With Prisoners. Sheryl Hausman put together an original talk on her work with patients with Divorce and Custody Issues and CMT. Jack Maslow developed another brand new topic, Old Dogs, New Tricks: Clients in Mid-life and Beyond. Valentina Gandini presented her new research on a CMT Manual on Testing.

Another innovation this year was that we used a new case in the Morning Group for new participants. For the first time, we used an audiotape of a case, not just the transcripts. It made the material come even more alive. We were lucky to have Alan Rappoport, the excellent therapist in the case, sit in live on the discussion Wednesday morning. The participants loved having the opportunity to ask Alan, "What were you thinking?" in the therapy. Alan's profound message to the group was, "This is not the way to do Control Mastery Therapy. This is the way I do Control Mastery Therapy. You have to find the way to do therapy in your own personal way." Alan's message was very important, that CMT doesn't tell you how to do therapy. It doesn't mandate a technique. The theory gives the therapist a direction to try to discern what the patient's plan may be, and to respond helpfully, respectfully, and authentically given who you are as a unique person and therapist.

Jessica Broitman and Paul Ransohoff led their seminar for returning participants on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday while Bill Dickman and Harriette Grooh led case discussions for the returnees on Thursday and Friday.

Old topics were presented by new presenters. John Gualtieri talked about Couples Therapy, Denny Zeitlin presented on Group Therapy, and Paul Abrinko talked about Child Therapy. Susan Gassner presented her wonderful talk on Unconscious Processing and Safety, while I presented a talk on the Psychology of Medications.

Our evening activities were full. Monday was the Pizza and Beer party where John Snyder wore a very impressive suit and presented his research on Therapist Attunement that he is scheduled to present this June at the Society for Psychotherapy Research in Virginia. Two Norwegian students, Luxsiya and Emma presented their preliminary ideas for their dissertations. On Wednesday night, we saw and discussed one of my favorite movies, East of Eden. Thursday was the celebration for our 25th anniversary as an International Conference on CMT. I had asked Hans Peter Broch to speak at this party. Even though he could not attend, he sent a beautiful testimonial of his experience of coming 17 times over the last 25 years. His sentiments are expressed in a separate column in this newsletter. Rob Petitpas, as always, did a heroic job organizing, planning, feeding, scheduling, reminding, facilitating the entire week, and ultimately, catering the party. Thanks to Rob, to Susan Landes, to all the teachers, supervisors, volunteers, and especially to the participants who make this week my favorite of the year.

See you next month.

Steve Foreman