66th Annual Conference

Friday, February 20

Early Bird Open Sessions

7:15 A.M. – 8:15 A.M.

Session 213           

Existential Aspects of the Group Program for Adults with Traumatic Experiences

Presenter:           

Witold Simon M.D., Ph.D, Visiting Assisting Professor, Clinical Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah

Clients with traumatic experiences often face isolation and misunderstanding. Also, they struggle frequently with existential issues of guilt, anxiety, reconciliation, hope, despair... Therefore the group format could be both challenging and beneficial for them. The session provides the opportunity to analyze and debate some existential issues which may emerge during group session, e.g., helplessness, temporalization of time, omnipotence. The concept of mourning the Person One Could Have Become will be also presented, as well as core tenets of reconciliation process will be discussed. Some new skills potentially helpful in coping with existential issues will be demonstrated.

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Analyze key existential conflict related to traumatic experiences and the ways they are re-enacted in the group setting.

2. Define the core tenets of reconciliation process.

3. Practice, to the certain extent of course, new skills potentially helpful in coping with existential issues which may emerge during the group session.

Course References:

1. Simon, W., Gajowy, M., & Sliwka, P. (2006) The effectiveness of attenuation of disadvantageous pair bonding from the past: a pilot study. Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 10, 65-84.

2. Bowlby, J. (1969) Attachment and Loss; vol. 1,  Attachment and Loss; vol. 1,  Attachment, London, Hogarth Press.

3. Frankl, V.E. (1946) Man's Searching for Meaning.  London: Hodder & Stoughton.