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Spring 2013 Newsletter
Our Mission:
Enrich traditional Western psychotherapy practices through grounding in the wisdom of Buddhist psychology and meditation practices.



moon sitter
   
Greetings!

 Greetings from the Board of Directors' Chair      

 

By Lorene Jabola, PhD, LMFT, April, 2013

"Place your attention on the subtle differences between one hip and the other...see what you discover..." - a poignant instruction from the Iyengar yoga teacher as class participants focused on the 'royal pigeon' pose. Might these words be applied to our experiences in Midwest nascent spring? How are we coming out of the long winter months? What subtle differences are arising in our hearts, minds, speech, and actions? To what are they calling our attention? How might those subtle differences be connected with more overt manifestations in our relationships, work, and play? How might those subtle differences be guides toward healthier minds and bodies?

As we welcome the warmer spring sunshine, we hope you find resources within this issue that will be of benefit to your journey of blossoming joy, freedom, and ease!
 

                             Learn More                 Go to our web site to

 

 

 

SAVE THE DATE:

Midwest Meditation and Psychotherapy Institute Fall Workshop HENRY EMMONS, MD

October 25, 2013

Details Forthcoming...

  


The Chemistry of Joy Workbook, by Henry Emmons, et al.    

Book Review by David Benson

 

 

Resilience, introduced in the earlier work, The Chemistry of Joy, is brought forward with more emphasis in this self help workbook.   The original work provided an integrative approach to depression. It set out three parallel, mutually supportive ways to address depression: brain chemistry; ancient East Indian healing by types; and Buddhist emotional types. 

Where the original provided a rational for the audience's consideration, this workbook is a complete 10 week program to develop psychological resilience to overcome depression.  While those who have read the original will recognize that which has been brought forward, it is not prerequisite for use of this workbook.    

This workbook is complete in itself and has updated the use of the original concepts.  The contributions of coauthors Bourgerie, Denton and Kacher are suggested here with a very clear 'how to do it' map for developing resilience.   

The ten week course is divided into Body Pathways, Mind Pathways and Heart Pathways.  While this workbook provides a clear set of activities to carry out, it also provides for tailoring to each individual with an initial resilience skills questionnaire and additional brief measures along the way.     

     

 

 

  
    
Board Member Highlight!  
Introducing:
Patty Hlava, MA, LMFT, Ph.D.

  Patty Hlava BoardHighlight
Patty is a licensed marriage and family therapist in practice at
River Valley Behavioral Health and Wellness Center in Savage, MN.  She is the author ofLiving Gratitude, and Cultivating Gratitude.   
   
She continues to be involved in research in the area of gratitude and relationships. Patty serves as adjunct faculty in the Master's in Transpersonal Psychology program at Sofia University and the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at St. Thomas University. Working from a holistic perspective, she integrates mindfulness and body-centered approaches into her work as a clinician and educator.
 

 


Foundations of Mindful Therapy

The Institute's new, five-session course, Foundations of Mindful Therapy, covered the fundamentals of mindful therapy in three main topics: Personal Practice, Developing Presence, and Skill Building. Monthly, three-hour classes over five months encouraged participants to develop their personal and professional skills over time. Embedded throughout the course was opportunity for the building of community.  

One of three course facilitators, Patty Hlava reflected, "With monthly class sessions, we knew students would benefit from connecting with one another in between, holding each other accountable and sharing learning." Hlava, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, joined psychologists and fellow mindfulness practitioners Jil Leverone and Tom Glaser in creating and presenting these highly experiential sessions.

In the written feedback, participants noted how much they appreciated the design and experience of the sessions, including guided meditations, role-plays, and mini-lectures. Homework was also said to be crucial in the learning process. "The near-daily mindfulness practice was the most helpful," one participant wrote. "I also think the classes built really well on top of each other."   Another participant said, "The balance of practice, reflective writing, small and large group discussion" were most helpful. Other feedback included, "Experientials; I learn by doing," and "The community aspect was enormous!"

Due to high demand, the Institute plans to offer this 15 CEU course again in fall, 2013. Five sessions, from 9:00-noon, are scheduled for the 2nd Friday of the month beginning October 11 and continuing through February 2014. (October 11, November 8, December 13, January 10 and February 14). Email Jil Leverone at [email protected] to reserve a space.

 

 

         

Offerings for Supervision and Consultation:        (please contact individually)

 

 

  • David Benson: MA, LMFT(consultation)                                              [email protected] 612-237-7723

 

 

 

 

  • Jil Leverone: LP & LPC/LPCC                                  [email protected]

 

 

Winter Workshop Offerings/Series-2013

 

Mind-Body-Spirit Integrative Supervision Group

This is an on-going group integrating mindfulness, Buddhist Psychology and clinical supervision. We explore therapist use of self, the inter-subjective relationship, and work with difficult case scenarios from a Buddhist Psychology lens. We work with cultivating the four immeasurable qualities: joy, love, compassion and equanimity in our personal and professional practice.

Date: Meets monthly

Time: Wednesdays 9-11am

Cost: $50-60/session

Contact: Merra Young or Stacy Husebo to register

 

Foundations of Mindful Therapy

2nd Friday of the month beginning October 11 and continuing through February, 2014. (October 11, November 8, December 13, January 10 and February 14). Email Jil Leverone at [email protected] to reserve a space.

 

 

 

 

May you be held in the embrace of open awareness... ,

 

 

Midwest Meditation and Psychotherapy Institute Board

Lorene Jabola, PhD, LMFT                       Merra Young, MSW, LICSW, LMFT  Jean Haley, MSW, LICSW                                   Jil Leverone, PhD, LP  

David Benson, MA,LMFT                         Patty Hlava, MA, LMFT, PhD

Stacy M. Husebo, MSW, LICSW