Upcoming Seminars

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Course Information

Deconstructing Anxiety

For Psychologists, Social Workers, MFTs, Counselors, and LMHCs, LCATs, etc. - All Levels
A groundbreaking, cutting-edge seminar for rapidly uncovering the root causes of anxiety. You will learn never-before-presented techniques for releasing the resistances that keep anxiety alive, getting at their source and transforming them into a sense of high purpose and meaning.
There is a "core fear" at the root of all anxiety, expressing itself in five major universal themes of loss:
abandonment (loss of love)
loss of identity
loss of meaning
loss of purpose (the chance to express oneself)
fear of death (including fear of pain)

We develop our primary defenses as our best attempt to protect ourselves from these fears, but always at too great a cost. This leaves us constantly holding vigil, on the lookout for the resurfacing of the threat. We build our entire personality upon this fear-defense dynamic. when it gets out of control, an anxiety disorder develops.

The theory and techniques offered in this workshop will teach you how to uncover the core fear and chief defense quickly and reliably. Armed with this knowledge, new strategies for dismantling the chief defense have proven extremely successful. Participants will undergo the actual techniques being presented, making for a rich and highly experiential presentation. Come prepared for an exciting adventure into the deepest regions of the unconscious, where the hidden fears at the source of our clients' difficulties live, making them available for rapid and deep transformation.
 

Presenter


Todd Pressman, Ph.D.

Dr. Pressman is a clinical psychologist and international seminar leader. He is widely known for his innovative approach to the treatment of anxiety. He graduated with degress in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and Saybrook University. His books Deconstructing Anxiety, Radical Joy and The Bicycle Repair Shop: A True Story Of Recovery From Multiple Personality Disorder have each received high acclaim. In 1982, he traveled the world to study the great wisdom and healing traditions, including with a Zen master, a Jain family, a Zoroastrian high priest and a Sri Lankan firewalker. His education also includes an internship under Stanislav Grof, M.D. at the Esalen Institute.

With a background deeply rooted in tradition (he was groomed by a father whose teachers were taught by Sigmunt Freud), he has integrated this wide-ranging experience into a new program of psychological development called “Deconstructing Anxiety". His working model is based on Michelangelo's ideal: to release the statue from the stone, the authentic Self from the overlays of imposed identity, for the discovery of a deep and enduring fulfillment.

 

Todd E. Pressman, Ph.D.

Dr. Pressman is a clinical psychologist and international seminar leader. He is widely known for his work with Transpersonal Breathwork and A Course in Miracles. He graduated with degress in psychology from University of Pennsylvania and Saybrook Institute. His books Radical Joy: Awakening Your Potential For True Fulfillment and The Bicycle Repair Shop: A true Story Of Recovery From Multiple Personality Disorder have received high acclaim. In 1982, he traveled the world to study the great wisdom and healing traditions, including with a Zen master, a Jain family, a Zoroasrain high priest and a Sri Lankan firewalker. His education also includes an internship under Stanislav Grof, M.D. at the Esalen Institute.

With a background deeply rooted in tradition (he was groomed by a father whose teachers were taught by Sigmunt Freud), he has integrated this wide-ranging experience into a new program of psychological development. His working model is based on Michelangelo's ideal: to release the statue from the stone, the authentic Self from the overlays of imposed identity, into the discovery of freedom, joy and fulfillment.

 

Course Objectives:

  • Describe the core fear/chief defense model of how we build our personalities                    
  • Predict how anxiety disorders develop according to this model                    
  • Utilize these techniques for releasing resistance and resolving fear                    
  • Create a "vision" for clients to find fulfillment and purpose, the best remedy for anxiety
 

Agenda

8:30 - 9:00  Registration and check-in
9:00 - 9:15 Introduction and overview
9:15 - 9:30 The creation story revisited -- understanding the birth of fear in the psych
9:30 - 10:45 Laying out the "Deconstructing Anxiety" model:
  • Each of us lands on a particular core fear in childhood
  • Description of the 5 core fears, universal themes of loss
  • This first contact with fear is intolerable -- we must restore our original innocence
10:45 - 11:00 Break
11:00 - 12:00 Continuing with the "Deconstructing Anxiety" model:
  • We find our chief defense as a way of protecting us from the core fear
  • We develop secondary defenses, adaptations of the chief defense to the various circumstances we encounter in life
  • The core fear/chief defense dynamic becomes the foundation of our personality; we interpret and respond to all circumstances through that lens
  • All defenses backfire, actually creating the anxiety they are designed to protect us from
  • We therefore employ our defenses even more rigerously and the whole cycle spins out of control, creating an anxiety disorder
12:00 - 1:30              Lunch
1:30 - 2:45 New strategies for releasing fear
  • The way to release fear is to "do the opposite" of the chief defense
  • Digging for Gold: Finding the core fear
  • Who Are You Really?: Uncovering your chief defense
  • Analyzing secondary defenses
2:45 - 3:00 Break
3:00 - 4:30 New strategies for releasing fear (continued)
  • The Warrior's Stance: Active "not doing"
  • The Observer: Enhanced Vipassana (Mindfulness) technique
  • The Alchemist: Asking "What happens next?"
  • A subtle defense: Trying too hard to let go of fear
4:30 - 5:00 Finding a "Mighty purpose": It's not enough to simply let go of fear -- our deepest need is to express ourselves
  • The Reverse Maze -- asking "What do you need to express?"
  • Keeping accountable by making commitments -- the Gandhi approach
  • Vision Questioning (the key to "Deconstructing Anxiety")
 

This event is sponsored by R. Cassidy Seminars

Satisfactory Completion
Participants must have paid tuition fee, signed in, attended the entire seminar, completed an evaluation, and signed out in order to receive a certificate. Failure to sign in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. 
Certificates will be available following the course at www.ceuregistration.com

Psychologists 
R. Cassidy Seminars is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to offer continuing education for psychologists.  R. Cassidy Seminars maintains responsibility for this program. 6 CE hours

Psychoanalyst
NY: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychoanalysts. #P-0005. (6) clock hours.

Social Workers 
R. Cassidy Seminars, ACE provider #1082, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) Program. R. Cassidy Seminars maintains responsibility for the program. Approval Period: April 15, 2015-April 15, 2018. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. Social workers participating in this course will receive 6 continuing education clock hours. 
CA: The Board of Behavioral Sciences has deferred CE course approvals to APA and ASWB for its licensees. See those approvals under Psychologists and Social Workers
NJ Social Workers: This course is approved by the Association of Social Work Boards - ASWB NJ CE Course Approval Program Provider #31 Course #1209 from 1/23/2017 to 1/23/2019. Social workers will receive the following type and number of credit(s): Clinical Social Work Practice 6.
NY: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider (#0006) of continuing education for licensed social workers. This program is approved for 6 contact hours live.
OH: Provider approved by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for (6) clock hours, #RCST110701

Counselors/Marriage and Family Therapists 
CA: The Board of Behavioral Sciences has deferred CE course approvals to APA and ASWB for its licensees. See those approvals under Psychologists and Social Workers.
Other States: If your state is not specifically listed, nearly all state Counselor and MFT boards accept either APA or ASWB approval, or are reciprocal with other state licensing board approvals, such as those listed below. Check with your board to be sure. The Ohio Board includes Counselors and MFTs.
IL: Illinois Dept of Professional Regulation, Approved Continuing Education Sponsor, #168-000141.  (6) hours.
NY-LMHCs: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board of Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0015. (6) contact hours. 
NY-LMFTs: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board of Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists. #MFT-0011. (6) contact hours.
OH: Provider approved by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for (6) clock hours, #RCST110701

Creative Arts Therapists
NY: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board of Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0005. (6) contact hours

Chemical Dependency Counselors
This course has been approved by R. Cassidy Seminars, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #96924, R. Cassidy Seminars is responsible for all aspects of their programming. 6 CEHs
CA: Provider approved by CCAPP. Provider #4N-00-434-0218 for (6) CEHs. CCAPP is an IC&RC member which has reciprocity with most ICRC member states.
TX: Provider approved by the TCBAP Standards Committee, Provider No. 1749-06, (6) hours general. Expires 3/31/2018.  Complaints about provider or workshop content may be directed to the TCBAP Standards Committee, 1005 Congress Avenue, Ste. 460, Austin, Texas 78701, Fax Number (512) 476-7297.

Nurses
CA: Provider approved by the CA Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CeP12224, for (6) contact hours. Some state nursing boards are reciprocal. Check with your licensing board to be sure.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification.

Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling.

For questions or concerns, please call 866-992-9399 ext. 105