Editors
Corner
By Lisa Pergament Runyon
I
hope everyone’s summer has been going well.
It’s a busy time for us in FAS as it is time to get rolling for the
conference next February. I want to give
everyone a heads up that the conference will not be at the Phyllis Marshall Center of USF because it will
be under construction. We are currently
searching for another place for our conference and will let you know when we
decide on a location.
This
newsletter contains a Call for Proposals for our 10th Annual conference
to be held February 10 – 12th, 2005.
We hope that all of you talented presenters will fill it out and send it
in. We appreciate the variety of your
interests and your willingness to share your knowledge with us. You make our conference the best.
Our
current newsletter features an article by David Gerber who presented on Adlerian Theory and the Purpose of Chemical
Dependency at our 2003 conference. Building
Social Interest in Substance Abuse Treatment looks at current substance
abuse treatment and offers several ways of building social interest into the
process to make it more successful.
David has worked many years in the field of chemical dependency and is
the director of the CASAC program in Garrison, New York and is a long time friend to us “Southern”
Adlerians.
Congratulations
to: Lolita Grohmann on opening up her private practice.
Florida Adlerian
Society
Board
of Directors (2004-2005)
President: Randall Gainforth
Vice-President: Nicola Haddak
Secretary: Stacy Henderson
Treasurer: Lisa Pergament
Runyon
Conference
Coordinator: Charla Conroy
Executive
Director: Tim Evans
Director: Tony Miller
Director: Ross Cannon
Director: Lolita Grohmann
Director: Becky Razaire
Director: Matt Welch
Director: Geri Carter
Director: Gloria Harvey
Articles for inclusion
in the newsletter are encouraged and requested.
The deadline for quarterly publication is the 1st of March,
June, September and December for publication the following month.
Advertising rates for
4 issues, based on page size of 8 1/2 x 11 inches, with 1/2 inch
margins on all four sides. All ads must
be copy-ready, black and white.
Full page - $100 Three-Quarter
page - $75
One-Half page - $50 One-Quarter page - $25
One-Third page - $38 Business Card - $15
Membership in the
Florida Adlerian Society is open to all people
interested in the Adlerian concepts.
Membership is based on a year that runs from February to January, for an
annual fee of $20 per person.
Understanding Social
Interest in Chemical Dependency Treatment
Teaching
social interest in chemical dependency treatment is a challenge. Lying,
cheating, stealing and isolation are often times consistent with the substance
dependence in order to maintain the addictive lifestyle. In the process, trust in others is lost. When
the individual hits bottom, distrust remains and guilt and shame often enters
into the thought process. This in turn makes it difficult to develop social
interest as individuals frequently don’t believe others want to help them, and
often don’t believe that they deserve the help. To build social interest in
treatment we first must have a working definition that is applicable to the
setting. Therefore we break down the
definition of social interest in the following ways:
- We are all in this
together
- We are all each
others brothers and sisters
- I better
myself to be of service to others
Herein
lay the building blocks to developing social interest in treatment, while
providing a helpful link to the teachings of 12-step programs.
Tools To Build Social
Interest in Chemical Dependency Treatment
There
are several tools at one’s disposal to help clients identify themselves on a
continuum of social interest. First is to help clients to understand the
concept of social interest as defined above. Second is to help clients understand
how they have already engaged in socially interested behavior by putting down
the substance of choice. By discontinuing use, they are no longer engaging in
self and other destructive behavior. Abstinence helps the individual move away
from selfishness, and move towards being of service to others on the useful
side of life. Providing this example of how clients are currently engaging in a
socially interested act may help to promote moving further towards more
socially interested lifestyles.
There
are many ways to promote social interest programmatically. Having community
meetings, in which clients may have a say not only in their treatment, but in
the programming, helps clients to feel “a part of” and builds a healthy sense
of connectedness to treatment. In addition, it facilitates a sense of equality
that recognizes client strengths, and reduces the power distance of an us versus them mentality.
A
program may also want to consider utilizing encouragement groups. These groups are designed to promote encouragement and provides
an opportunity to engage in socially interested acts. Consider the outcomes
when a group of selfish individuals continually practice the art of
encouragement. Encouragement groups challenge clients to recognize the
strengths of others, and how their actions are encouraging. Practicing this
skill helps to promote a more socially interested individual, group and program
as a whole. The more social interest that exists programmatically, the more
clients may be willing to attend program. With this approach, one might expect
that social interest will have a positive impact on overall outcomes.
One
way in which an encouragement group can be run in a substance abuse program is
as follows. With the group in a circle, the facilitator asks to go around the
room by passing on words of encouragement to the person on their right (or
left). The initial person starts by saying “ You
encourage me in the way you…….” Or “I’m encouraged by you because….”. The person receiving the encouragement simply says “Thank
you” and moves to give encouragement to the next person. When the go-around is
complete there are several options at the disposal of the group leader. To
ensure that each person has a chance to give words of encouragement to someone
else, the leader may ask “Is there anyone that you would like to give words of
encouragement to?” and finally “Is there anyone in the group who needs
encouragement?” This last exercise allows someone who is struggling to reach
out for support and experience getting that support. In all, the group allows
its members to be of service to each other, and can help validate the efficacy
of the treatment process. Finally, the use of encouragement in a structured
manner helps to promote social interest that can not only help establish
sobriety, but ultimately serves to sustain it.
Proving the Existence of
Social Interest Within
The
cynicism, distrust and denial present in the problem user often have them
believing that social interest is a nice concept but not realistic. These
individuals have developed their own private logic from parents that have
taught them that social interest doesn’t exist. The horrific events
of September 11th,
2001 serves as a powerful example of the social
interest on the highest level. While logic and self-preservation would seem to
prevail and have emergency workers run down the steps of a doomed building,
these heroes went up anyway. This takes into account all three of our
definitions of social interest. In the
aftermath of 9/11, people lined up around blocks to donate blood, and news
reports asked people to stop donating goods, as they had so much, they couldn’t
store anymore. While there is no direct link here between social interest and
substance abuse, it demonstrates how social interest is alive and well within
us all, and needs only to be brought out in individuals.
In
summary, social interest is an important tool in the toolbox of recovery. Adler
once said that in order to cure neurosis, we should be of service to someone
else. Practicing social interest in substance abuse treatment is an essential
component to moving away from the selfish useless side of life, to the more
pro-social, encouraging useful side. Increasing social interest or the
community feeling increases one’s healthy connectedness to others, and
decreases the purpose of use.
Special
Announcement: Dr. William Glasser will be doing a Full Day presentation on February 11, 2005 as part of our 10th annual conference. We are very excited to welcome him and have
him share his knowledge of Choice Theory with us!!!
Groups,
Workshops and other Community Events:
Lolita Grohmann
will be leading Family
Enrichment Workshops
that will focus on the
Principles
of child guidance, relationships, and encouragement. They will be held on the last Saturday of
every month at 8:30 am - 4:00 pm, beginning July
31st, 2004. The location will be The Counseling Center of
Tampa Bay, 3910 Northdale Blvd. Suite 208‑
Tampa, Fl 33624. For more information, you can call 813‑961‑4406
or e-mail hgrohmann@aol.com
Tim Evans is leading a Choice Theory Focus Group
for Mental Fitness
on Wednesday evenings. The next group
will be on July 21st and the group is held every other week. This is to be a safe, supportive refuge, where
people who would like to be happier can meet and support each other. The only
requirement is you become acquainted with the book Warning: Psychiatry Can
Be Dangerous To Your Mental Health, written by
William Glasser. This will be a study group where you
can attend as long or as often as you wish.
Anyone
interested can contact Tim Evans via phone at 813-251-8484 or e-mail: TimEnc@aol.com
ENCOURAGEMENT EXCHANGES
will be starting up again!!!
October 2nd, at 6:00 P.M.
will be the tentative date for the revival of the FAS Encouragement Exchange
and Networking Get Togethers. The Social Committee will be setting up a
series of meetings open to all members dedicated to sharing Adlerian
Concepts, Articles and Personal Experiences, and Ideas. This is the pilot meeting so come prepared to
experience an evening of fun and learning.
The meetings were planned to provide an arena for all of you who are out
there, to feel more connected with other Adlerians. Be prepared to share how Adlerian
concepts are applied in your work setting and lives. For those who don’t know, an Encouragement Exchange is
a time to network, learn, socialize, and have fun.
The
Social Committee will be arranging to hold this gathering at the Tampa Bay
Brewing Company located at 1812 15th St. N., Ybor City, Tampa (upstairs). We will spend time talking, eating, and
enjoying each others company. We will
also discuss an Adlerian Concept or article for an
hour and the topic at this meetings
will be “Relationships”. It is a good opportunity to get
to know what other Adlerians are doing in the
community and how they are applying these concepts in their lives and work
settings. So come, bring a friend and
your appetite.
NASAP Experiences by Randy Gainforth
I had the honor of representing the Florida Adlerian Society on the Council of Representatives (COR) in
Myrtle
Beach at the North American Society of Adlerian
Psychology (NASAP) annual conference. I
was an affiliate representative to the NASAP Board when they met on June
3, 2004 with
the South Carolina Society of Adlerian Psychology
hosting the event. As you would expect,
Frank Walton’s group did a great job organizing and supporting all the
participants at the Springmaid Hotel and Conference Center.
It is a beautiful location, if you have never seen it, as it is on the Atlantic Ocean beyond a sandy beach. Most of the meeting rooms and all of the
hotel rooms have a view of ocean breakers continually rolling in on the
shore. The evening we arrived had a big
full moon rise up out of that broad expanse and then drifted through the
layered clouds. The theme of the
conference was Work & Play, so long lunch breaks were scheduled to allow
for leisurely lunches, conversations, rocking chair sightseeing, and barefoot
communing with nature. Now, so you don’t
think were we just goofing off, participants had choices on Friday and Saturday
of four different breakout sessions, each lasting about an hour. I didn’t participate in the pre- or
post-conference activities, but offerings consisted of half day sessions in a
variety of topics. Tim and I presented
first thing Friday morning on Quality Relations. Our co-presenter, Cam Meredith, was in our
thoughts as he chose not to attend, wanting to spend precious time with his
wife Betty. Tim represented Cam in a moving acceptance speech for Cam receiving the Diplomate
of Adlerian Psychology. Ah, I am reminded that we had two fine
luncheons, one with an inspirational speaker, Lew Losoncy, and the other with recognition awards, changing of
the guard (board leadership), and Lifetime Achievement Awards being
presented. FAS friend and presenter Dan
Eckstein, took the reins of the presidency on his birthday with a quick review
of his goals; one for every time he has circumnavigated the sun! For you less scientific types, that’s a year
in layman terms. On Thursday evening,
the Beecher & Beecher Foundation sponsored a reception and I got to meet
the person behind the fax machine that takes my book orders for Beyond Success and Failure and The Sin of Obedience. First time participants got to introduce
themselves to the board on Friday morning, affiliates compared notes together
on Saturday morning, and section members had informal gatherings both days as
well. During Thursday’s Board and COR’s meeting, affiliate representations met to share
useful strategies and resources during one breakout, and subcommittees adopted
goals and plans to bring back to the board during another. I don’t want to slight any other
organizations/societies, but I want you to know how good I felt about the
Florida Adlerian Society’s board and participant
membership after having a chance to share what works for us as well as what
challenges us with the good folks I met at NASAP! I want to take this opportunity to encourage
everyone to consider a general membership in NASAP. As a good Adlerian,
I will leave it to you to discover, but I think you find it to be useful and
helpful in your professional and personal life.
NASAP 2004 by Anthony Miller
What
a wonderful and satisfying experience it was to attend by first ever NASAP
Convention. There were some moments when
I felt like a starry-eyed kid in a huge toy store as I met and talked with
authors of some of the books and articles I consider personal treasures. The South Carolina group did an exceptional job with the planning and
implementing of the Conference. All of
the participants, from the NASAP Board to the first timers, were so inviting,
warm and available. The workshops were
as helpful and informative as the thoughtfulness and welcoming spirit of the
conference atmosphere. Special Kudos to the SCSAP.
Well Done!
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
for the 10TH ANNUAL BAY AREA CONFERENCE
Full Day Thursday,
February 10, 2005
75
Minutes, Saturday, February 12, 2005
Proposal
Guidelines:
Proposals
are invited for one day workshops to be offered Thursday, February 10; and for 75 minute
presentations to be offered Saturday, February 12, 2005.
Four or Five Thursday workshops will be scheduled for a full day, and
nine to fifteen Saturday workshops for the 75 minute time slots. The process of granting Continuing Education
Units (CEU’s) is essential for the success of the
conference, and necessitates the extensive accounting of your presentation
(state requirement). Please type/write guidelines below:
1. Title of Program:
2. Proposal description (60 Words or less). This will appear in the Conference Program:
3. Goal of workshop (One or Two Sentences):
4. Professional Learning Objectives. List three to five learning objectives stated in behavioral terms, such as,
"participants will be able to...":
5. Give name(s), highest degree, and work
setting for each presenter:
6. Briefly state your experiences for doing this
workshop, such as other workshops you have conducted or work experiences.
7. Attach a professional vita for each
presenter.
8. Please give the Name, Mailing Address, day
and evening phone number of main presenter or contact person.
9. List your Audio Visual Requirements.
Send your
proposal to: Florida Adlerian Society, 607 W. Horatio St., Tampa, FL
33606-1016.
For further information contact Tim Evans at (813) 251‑8484, or
e-mail: TimEnc@AOL.Com
CALENDAR
OF SOCIAL EVENTS
July
21 Choice
Theory Group (held
every other week)
6:30 – 8:00pm For more information contact Tim
Evans at 251-8484 or e-mail:
TimEnc@aol.com
July
31 Family
Enrichment Workshops (held the last
Saturday of the month)
8:30 – 4:00pm For more information contact Lolita Grohmann at 961-4406 or e-mail: hgrohmann@aol.com
July
25 – August International Adlerian Summer School (ICASSI)
7th,
2004 Cork,
Ireland.
Contact: Mike Balla at mjballa@sympatico.ca
Or
go to www.ICASSI.net
October
2nd Encouragement
Exchange
6:00 – 8:00pm Tampa Bay Brewing Company
(upstairs), Ybor
City
A
Publication of the