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Course Information

Transformational Synergies in AEDP, Spirituality and Psychedelics

 

Presenter

 

Workshop Description

Abstract:   Spirituality can be a taboo subject in psychotherapeutic circles, though it is an important dimension in many of our patients’ lives and subjective searches for transcendent meaning.  In this workshop, we will explore parallels between emotional elements of a transformative experiential psychotherapy (AEDP) and characteristics of spiritual experiences and psychedelic healing journeys.   Shared phenomena such as deep connection to self and others, gratitude, awe, reverence, compassion, love, expanded states of consciousness, and a truth sense bridge the worlds of psychotherapy and spirituality.

In this workshop, we will explore in depth the phenomenology and clinical unfolding of the process of transformation itself.  One of the most unique and revolutionary elements of AEDP’s emotional processing trajectory is the focus on the affective markers of the process of change itself.  While other emotion-focused therapies may elucidate theories and guide interventions that facilitate the movement from distress/ defensive states to the full processing of core adaptive emotions, in AEDP, this is only the first step.  After the turbulence of intense emotional experiencing, how do therapists guide patients to keep the momentum moving through the full process of transformation? We will track the affective markers of transformational experience in a session of a patient with Complex PTSD and Dissociative Disorder NOS, witnessing how the swell of powerful emotional experiences such as awe, gratitude and tremulousness herald a new way of apprehending self, other and the world.  Finally, we will explore synergies between 1. emotional hallmarks and states of consciousness evoked in AEDP’s State 3 and 4 work; 2. the transformative power of mystical and spiritual experiences; 3. the healing potential of psychedelic medicines. 

This workshop will be presented in a novel, community-based format, with multiple presenters from Brazil, Sweden, the US, as well as AEDP’s Vision Collective exploratory group on Spirituality.  The workshop will feature several AEDP sessions of poignant State 3 &4 work, as well as an experiential exercise, small discussion groups led by presenters, a moderated panel discussion with all presenters and a live demo. This workshop will be highly interactive and experiential, inviting wisdom from participants as well as presenters across a wide range of spiritual and cultural traditions. 

 

Summary Points

  1. AEDP’s transformational phenomenology of State 3 and expansive states of consciousness in State 4 are fundamental to healing and flourishing.  We will learn to recognized and harness their full healing potential.
  2. We will explore synergies between spiritual experiences, especially mystical states, altered states of consciousness of psychedelic medicines, and the emergent processes of AEDP’s States 3 & 4.
  3. We will explore the similarities and differences and relationships between therapy and spiritual practice. 
  4. We will practice and hone State 3 & 4 interventions to maximize the healing power of emotion work.
  5. We will explore how AEDP and psychedelic psychotherapy can fit together as therapeutic paradigms, each enhancing the healing power of the other.
 

Course Objectives

  1. Recognize State 3 markers of tremulous affects. 
  2. Recognize State 3 markers of mastery affects.
  3. Identify State 3 markers of exuberance affects.
  4. List State 3 markers of healing affects.
  5. Describe the phenomenology of core state.
  6. Demonstrate clinical skills implementing state 3 & 4 interventions.
  7. Compare and contrast psychotherapy practice with spiritual practice.
  8. Consider the goodness of fit between AEDP and psychedelic psychotherapy.
  9. Discriminate the underlying mechanisms of transformational experiences across AEDP, mystical experiences, psychedelic medicines.
  10. Describe neurobiological theories of transformational experience.
  11. Role-play clinical moments involving transformational experience to practice above skills.
  12. Identify synergies between AEDP, spiritual and psychedelic experiences.
 

Agenda

10:00 am – 6:00 pm EASTERN TIME USA + CANADA

Day One:  Thursday, July 21, 2022

10:00-10:45 am: Welcome, introducing the teaching team, and meditation

10:45-11:05 am: Breakout dyads for connection.  Prompt:  What brings you here? And what is your experience in the moment right now, of being here? How is it to have this witnessed by another?

11:05 am-12:30 pm: Kari Gleiser presenting: Exploring parallels between emotional elements of transformative experiential psychotherapy and characteristics of spiritual and mystical experiences.

12:30-12:45 pm: Break

12:45-2:00 pm: Kari Gleiser presenting with session video 1: “Spontaneous Quantum Healing and the Phenomenology of Mysticism”

2:00-3:00 pm: Lunch

3:00-5:00 pm: Kari Gleiser, Jason Trowbridge and Deb Lee Thornby presenting: Exploring synergies between experiential psychotherapy and psychedelic psychotherapy, and a model for integrating AEDP and MDMA-assisted therapy.

5:00-5:15 pm: Break

5:15-6:00 pm: Bringing it all together and large group discussion of the day


Day Two: Friday, July 22, 2022

10:00-10:30 am: Welcome and morning meditation

10:30 am-12:30 pm: Sonya Parker presents: “Spirit without Proselytizing,” and

Heloise Ridley presents: "Cultural Considerations: Exploring the Roles of Spirituality & AEDP to Promote Transformance in Clients Impacted by Racialized Trauma," featuring session videos presented by Dina Miqdadi and Steve Carroll

12:30-12:45 pm: Break

12:45-1:15 pm: Sonya Parker and Heloise Ridley present a live ‘session’ role play

1:15-2:15 pm: Lunch

2:15-3:45 pm: Malin Endredi, “In the midst of all chaos, there's a stillness,” with session video

3:45-4pm: Break

4:00-5:30 pm: Experiential small group exercise of personal transformational experiences

5:30-6:00 pm: Bringing it all together and large group discussion


Day Three:  Saturday, July 23, 2022

10:00-10:30 am: Welcome, questions, morning meditation

10:30-12:00 pm: Jason Trowbridge presenting: “The Gift of Suffering,” with session video

12:00-12:15 pm: Break

12:15-1:45 pm: Gabriela Pessoa-Mendes, “Trusting the unknown,” with session video

1:45-2:45 pm: Lunch

2:45-4:15 pm: Panel discussion with all presenters

4:15-4:30 pm: Break

4:30-6:00 pm: Bringing it all together and large group discussion; Final meta-processing for the seminar