Article archive / March 1, 2012
Originally published: . Volume 3, No. 7. Source pages: 16, 17.
The Louisiana Group Psychotherapy Society will hold its Spring Institute on March 23 and 24, 2012, in New Orleans at the Sheraton on Canal Street.
Dr. Christopher Garner, licensed psychologist and Certified Group Psychotherapist, is current President of the society. He told the Times that the institute will offer an educational experience that many may find to be a little different because of the focus on experiential training. The institute will include small breakout, facilitated groups, led by senior members who are Certified Group Psychotherapists.
“While there are clinically relevant theoretical and technical matters that will be discussed,” he explained, “there will be an emphasis on experiential learning. Between lectures, there will be demonstration groups with debriefings … participants will not only hear about concepts but see them in action and get group experience themselves,” Dr. Garner said.
The theme for the March institute is “Vulnerable Moments: A Self-Psychological Approach to Working with Groups and Couples.” The guest presenter will be Dr. Marty Livingston, graduate of Columbia University and a private practitioner from New York. He holds certificates in psychotherapy, psychoanalysis,
and group therapy from the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health in New York City. He has authored three books, including Vulnerable Moments: Deepening the Therapeutic Process. Dr. Livingston has taught at the Postgraduate Center, the Training and Research Institute for Self Psychology, Hunter College, and George Washington University, among others.
Dr. Livingston will present the highlight address, “From Freud to Kohut: Background for Some Thoughts on Vulnerability,” on Friday morning at 8:30 am after registration. On Saturday he will present “Sustained Empathic Focus: Bridging Theory and Practice.”
Small breakout groups, with a facilitator and eight participants, will be offered throughout the two-day
event. Leaders, all Certified Group Psychotherapists, will include Dr. Livingston, Dr. Garner, Dr. Douglas Greve, a psychiatrist from New Orleans, who will co-lead a group with Dr. Sue Jensen, psychologist from Baton Rouge, and Dr. Darlyne Nemeth, a psychologist and medical psychologist from Baton Rouge.
In explaining why this training can be so powerful, Dr. Garner said, “One way to put it is that there is an affective hook with this kind of learning, one that allows for a deeper and more personal understanding of the theoretical material.”
“Our conferences are engaging,” he noted, “far from boring, and participants tend to leave with a personal sense of psychological renewal.”
Dr. Carolyn Weyand, explained, “Self Psychology, formulated by Heinz Kohut, holds at its base the conviction that a person's dynamic representation of self and self esteem form the heart of psychological well- being.”
Dr. Garner noted that LGPS is one of only two state organizations that is multidisciplinary and focused on the practice of psychotherapy, in this case group psychotherapy. The other is the psychoanalytic institute in New Orleans, he explained. “Members include psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, substance abuse counselor, etc. I have found this diversity to be professionally rewarding,” Dr. Garner said.
LGPS is offering 13 units of APA approved continuing education for psychologists. LGPS is affiliate society of the American Group Psychotherapy Association. For questions or more information contact lgpsnews@gmail.com.
LGPS officers, Chris Garner and Christen Cummins, discuss group psychotherapy with LSU MHS Interns and invite them to attend the organization’s upcoming multi- disciplinary training event in March. From Left: Angela Beard (Psychology Intern), John Hayes (Psychology Intern), Chris Garner (Clinical Psychologist), Christen Cummins (Social Worker), and Josh Pitre (Social Work Intern).
Photo courtesy of Dr. Garner.
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