Co-Existence in Polarized Times: Holding Dignity for Self & Other in Group

This conference will introduce and explore large and small group processes that help individuals and members of society to co-exist in more dignified, less polarized ways. It is highly experiential with participants experiencing and observing small and large group methodologies that prioritize dignity of self and other. All participants will be invited to recognize and make conscious unconscious codes of superiority. The conference will begin and end with embodied somatic practices.

Registration includes refreshments on Friday, and breakfast and lunch on Saturday.

Scholarships will be granted for those in need. Please apply here.

A small group of 8 clinicians will have the opportunity to participate in two consultation groups using an experiential model that prioritizes dignity of self and other. The consultation group will be invited to reflect on challenges emerging in therapy groups in which either a group member or a group therapist’s sense of dignity was undermined in a recent interaction. 4 attendees may sign up in advance and 4 seats will be made available during the conference.

Learning Objectives:

• Attendees will be able to describe the impact of listening and letting go of pushing an agenda on groups having contentious dialogue.
• Attendees will be able to describe the basic learning goals of the large group experience run in the Reflective Citizens tradition.
• Attendees will be able to describe how social dreaming evokes the social unconscious and analyze its impact on communal dignity.
• Attendees will be able to list five current challenges that are emerging in psychotherapy groups related to polarization.
• Attendees will analyze how unconscious codes of superiority undermine dignity of self and other.

Dr. Kavita Avula is a licensed psychologist and certified group psychotherapist with vast global experience in teaching and working with traumatized communities. President of Therapist Beyond Borders, she supervises teams of individuals with multiple marginalized identities and allies to help organizations achieve culture change that support containment and improved co-existence. She is Dean of the National Group Psychotherapy Institute, Past President of the Puget Sound Group Psychotherapy Network, and adjunct faculty at Bastyr University where she teaches group counseling to graduate students. Dr. Avula has served as a thought partner to many humanitarian and human rights organizations and traveled to Palestine, Uganda, Mexico, the Philippines, Ukraine, Kenya, and Tanzania to set healing in motion for traumatized communities.

Host or Publisher Group Psychotherapy Association of Los Angeles