When you’ve lost a client to suicide or fear losing one- A group therapeutic space for therapists
Register hereABOUT THE PROGRAM
As counselors, mental health professionals we may have experienced clients who are feeling suicidal and sometimes a client has died by suicide.
So often we focus on protocols, right approaches and what to do. Rarely do we tend to our own hearts.
We do not look at our own fear that comes up when a client mentions feeling suicidal. Sometimes we encounter suicidal feelings within ourselves. Sometimes it may bring up our unresolved grief, trauma and existential fears. As a therapist, we are not immune to the social conditioning and stigma that surrounds suicide.
This four-part group therapeutic space will focus on what goes on within us when a client is suicidal. A group Therapeutic space provides the holding we might need to hold the space for our clients more effectively
We will use the modality of a Mindfulness and Presence Oriented Approach™ to therapy for the exploration.
DETAILS
- 4 Wednesdays- Sep 13, Sep 20, Sep 27, Oct 4 2023
- 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm IST
- All sessions will be held Online via zoom
PLEASE NOTE
- Registered members would be attending all the 4 Sessions.
- This closed group space will have a maximum of twelve participants allowing for individual and collective work over four sessions.
CONTRIBUTION
- Total Cost of 4 Sessions: Rs. 8000/- per participant (Inclusive of 18% GST)
MEET THE FACILITATOR
Sandy Dias Andrade
Presence Oriented Psychotherapist
Sandy is the Founder-Director at Just Being Center and is a Mindfulness & Presence Oriented Psychotherapist.
With over twenty years of experience in the field of mental health, she is internationally certified in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) from the Center of Mindfulness, University of California, San Diego, USA.
She has trained extensively in somatic based, attachment and trauma resolution approaches and specialises in developmental trauma in adults.
Besides her training in Mindfulness Based Interventions that includes MBCT and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), she is also trained in Integral Somatic Psychology (ISP), Cognitive Therapy, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST), Eugene Gendlin’s Focusing, Trauma Resolution work through Somatic approaches, DARe and EMDR. She is also an Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed practitioner.
She has also been in the field of suicide prevention for over twenty years. She is currently the Co- Managing Trustee of Connecting Trust, a Pune based organisation in the field of suicide prevention. She started its helpline in 2008 and designed it’s training program for volunteers in Mindfulness Based Active Listening. Over the years she has been a volunteer, trainer, mentor, trustee, involved in the design and implementation of all of its programs.
Currently, she offers two in-depth and comprehensive courses that she has developed through Just Being in Presence Oriented Psychotherapy and Listening with Embodied Presence for mental health professionals and those wishing to hold a listening space.
Sandy is invited at several Universities colleges like TISS, University of Pune, FLAME, St. Mira’s and S. P. College in Pune to teach the applications of mindfulness, presence and listening. She also works with educational institutions, social development organizations and corporates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1.What is group therapy in general?
Group therapy is a psycho-social form of support held by a trained facilitator that allows the members of the group to share and explore their inner experiences and feelings in an atmosphere of safety and trust. Sharing and listening in such a way leads to new insights and learnings as well as interpersonal support.
2. What is a Mindfulness and Presence Oriented Approach™ to group therapy?
Mindfulness and Presence Oriented Approach™ uses mindfulness as a base. The emphasis is on the awareness generated from paying attention to thoughts, feelings, sensations in the present moment. From here we enter into an inner space of quiet and from this space examine the life situations we are faced with, our belief patterns, emotional reactions and behavioural responses. Then if we might, we choose to respond differently from a place of insight and awareness, thus initiating an organic change response.
The approach is mindfulness based, somatic (including body awareness) and trauma informed. It is rooted in the orientation that fundamentally we are ok and we can see whatever we are faced with in a moment to moment unfolding way, allowing our own inner wisdom and that of the group to guide us with the able support and accompaniment of the therapist in this process.
3. How is this different from individual therapy sessions?
We can gain a lot from listening to each other faced with similar life situations and dilemmas. This creates a sense of a common humanity we all share, makes us feel less isolated in our challenges and there is more power in the collective space of learning. We can take our time to process what is going on for us in the safety of the group.<br>
4. How does a Group therapeutic Space work?
It will be a closed group, that is, the same group members meet each time for the specific time period. Group members can share, as and if they feel comfortable what is going on for them. Listening to others and witnessing their process, tunes us in to our own experiences and insights. The space will be facilitated by the counselor and each member will have a space for reflection and inquiry.
The process facilitates deeper therapeutic change. The approach followed is Mindfulness and Presence Oriented Approach™. Simple practices of mindfulness will accompany looking at inner experiences as well as life situations.
More importantly, group members tap into their inner sense of guidance and wisdom drawing from the experiences of others as well. The facilitator ensures that a conducive atmosphere is held and also plans for the progression of the group.
Group spaces can be powerful encounters with ourselves.
