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In Person Training – There Was a Rabbi, A Priest and a Therapist…

June 3 Registration 12:30 pm; Training 12:45 pm - 4:00 pm (ET) $129, 3 CEUs Presenters:
Lisa Ferentz, LCSW-C, DAPA
Rabbi Menachem Goldberger,
Reverend Ray Chase,
Hilton Garden Inn, 4770 Owings Mills Blvd. Owings Mills, 21117 + Google Map

This workshop offers a fascinating, collaborative conversation about the relationship between psychotherapy and spirituality. As both a Rabbi and a Priest define religion, spirituality and rituals that pertain to their own traditions, we will process the role that spirituality can play in clients’ lives and in their healing work.

Workshop Aims and Outcomes

We will discuss whether or not clinicians should broach the subject of spirituality in psychotherapy, and if so, how that can best be handled. We will explore scenarios where the inclusion of spirituality might be counter-productive, and also process the ways in which therapists can work collaboratively with clergy, defining the roles that clergy should play in the process. We will also focus on the dynamic of rituals both as a potential resource for healing, as well as the misuse of ritual both in therapy and within religious contexts.

Special attention will be paid to the ways in which different religions define the “soul” and how the concept of a soul can be used by therapists and clergy to help clients transcend negative and distorted views of themselves.

Methodology

Many case examples will be explored, modeling both the value of integrating therapists and clergy into treatment, as well as the adverse effect of incorporating clergy who are not “spiritually responsible.” Participants will be encouraged to process cases that touch on issues of grief, loss, death and dying, physical illness, personal trauma, and experiences of betrayal that often challenge clients’ core spiritual beliefs.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the differences between faith, spirituality, and religion and the impact those experiences have on clients’ thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
  • Identify at least five non-judgmental and non-threatening questions to help assess for the role that spirituality, prayer, religious rituals or connection to a religious community could play in a client’s healing process.
  • Describe the ways in which religious rituals and religiosity can be misused by trauma survivors as well as perpetrators.
  • Identify the key elements that must be in place when referring trauma survivors to clergy for additional guidance, and describe the ways in which therapists and clergy can work collaboratively to help in a client’s healing.

Agenda

12:45 – 2:15 pm​

  • Personal Reflections on the role that religion or spirituality can play in psychotherapy
  • ​​Defining Spirituality
  • Defining Faith
  • Defining Religious Observance
  • ​​Defining Religious Rituals
  • ​​The Role of religion and spirituality in healing

2:15 – 2:30 pm       ​​BREAK

2:30 – 4:00 pm​​

  • The role of religious rituals in healing
  • Defining the soul
  • Doing a spiritual/religious assessment
  • ​​The misconceptions and misuse of religion and rituals
  • ​​The collaboration of clergy and therapists in the healing process
A photo that includes a Rabbi, a priest, and a therapist
“I really enjoyed hearing examples of how all three presenters navigate difficult spiritual situations. Rich conversations to reflect on.” Trish M.

"I absolutely loved this training. How to illicit hope, how and when to use spirituality as a vehicle for change and the difficulties and possibilities therein. The training was more of a conversation then a lecture, I am still thinking about this days after the training and have followed up on some reading suggestions that have also been inspiring. Thank you!" —Elizabeth Berman, CSC-AD

"I was moved by the dialogue, and I now have a better understanding of the benefits of balancing spirituality and psycho-therapy. The therapist [Lisa] was awesome and one could get sense as to why she is so sought after. The feedback from the Rabbi [Goldberger] and the Priest [Father Ray] offered for me a unique look into the both perspectives and how each saw how the inclusion of spiritually can help ones clients achieve post recovery." —Brian Shird, MS, LBSW

"This was a wonderful workshop that engendered a meaningful conversation on spirituality and psychotherapy, and the role of both in post traumatic growth. The facilitators were very engaging and knowledgeable." —Danielle Deckard, LCSW-C

"This was an awesome workshop that gave me the very unique opportunity to learn from the wisdom of a seasoned Rabbi, Priest and therapist. I left the workshop better equipped and more inspired to help my clients." —Michael Schlein, LCPC

“Everything was very useful and thought provoking. Fantastic!” —Courtney P.

“I loved hearing from Rabbi Goldberger. His messages were timeless.” —Anna D.

“Father Ray’s openness, humility, and knowledge were most useful. Excellent!” —Deena G.