Introduction from Sheryl Frank, PhD

Transcription

1 May 2, 2018 at Bender JCC of Greater Washington Introduction from Sheryl Frank, PhD I had the privilege of visiting Israel in July 2016 with the Jewish Women's Renaissance Project (JWRP). In Jerusalem, speaker Adrienne Gold Davis shared a quote from spiritual teacher Marianne Williamson: We are all meant to shine. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. As a psychologist, I reflected on the connection between Adrienne s comment and helping clients bring to light their inner strengths. I became energized to learn Jewish perspectives on mental health, family relationships, and rituals that promote inner peace and happiness, and I returned from the trip eager to gain further knowledge about the intersection of Judaism and psychotherapy. This conference was born last summer while I was attending a JWRP fellowship retreat. My goal is for each of us to gain insight into Jewish ideas and practices that can guide and inform our therapeutic work. As we help our clients tend to family relationships, take care of their bodies and souls, forgive others, accept loved ones as they are, and recognize each person s inner beauty, we are helping them shine. Planning this conference has only been possible with the support of a strong planning team composed of friends and colleagues, the JWRP Fellowship team, the JCC of Greater Washington, and JSSA. Sincere thanks to all of these helpers, our presenters, and all of the participants for making this conference a reality. Special thanks to my planning team: Lisa Arber, Dr. Elaine Goldberg, Dr. Lily Gutmann, Dr. Kathy Blake, Dr. Lauren Rubenstein, and Susan Stillman

2 Agenda 8:30 9:00 AM: Check-in 9:00 9:15 AM: Opening Remarks 9:15 10:15 AM: Keynote Address Eric Weiner has traveled the world exploring different cultures and religions to discover what makes people happy, why they thrive, and what they consider the driving forces in their lives. In this keynote, he will discuss the connection between Judaism and self-transformation, creative genius, and healthy relationships as well as the unexpected benefits of being an outsider. A former Jerusalem correspondent for NPR, Weiner is the bestselling author of The Geography of Bliss, The Geography of Genius, and Man Seeks God. 10:30 AM 12:00 PM: Panel Discussion Applying Jewish Teachings in a Therapeutic Setting What is the connection between Jewish beliefs about mental health, such as self-awareness, understanding and accepting behavior, happiness, and striving for change, and the therapeutic work we do with our clients? This discussion will explore the overlap between the tenets of Judaism and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Audience will have the opportunity to ask questions. Moderator: Dahlia Topolosky, PsyD Presenters: Natalie Merkur-Rose, LCSW-C; Rabbi JoHanna Pott; Rabbi Adam Rosenwasser; Bonnie Zucker, PsyD 12:00 1:00 PM: Lunch The Jewish practice of reciting a prayer before eating ( hamotzi ) is reminder to pause and experience gratitude for the food before us. The weekly commandment of the Sabbath ( Shabbat ) also reminds us to unplug and be present in the moment. Both rituals are tools that can help us engage in mindful eating. To help us remember to eat mindfully, Mickie Simon, LICSW, will lead a brief exercise at the start of lunch.

3 1:15 2:45 PM: Workshop 1 (Choose one) A) The Jewish Theory and Practice of Mindful Eating Judaism provides guidance and instruction to help us utilize all of our desires and actions in a holy and enriching way. This class will look primarily at Jewish Hassidic and mystical writers who saw eating as a central method of spiritual development and wrote about the philosophy and practicalities of eating as a spiritual practice. 1. Jewish and mystical thought about the role of eating for one s overall well-being 2. Some of the cognitive processes that can free individuals from compulsive eating tendencies 3. The way in which spiritual practices can affect biological, social, and psychological influences around eating 4. How to apply a spiritual understanding of eating to help clients Presenter: Rabbi Hyim Shafner, LICSW B) Answering to a Higher Power: Working with Orthodox Jewish Populations When working with orthodox clients, the clinician can assume that G-d is always present in the consulting room. A basic understanding and acceptance of the client s belief system and practices allows for culturally and religiously contextualized treatment. This class will focus on understanding how Orthodox Judaism interfaces with the practice of psychotherapy and on effective interventions, including the use of metaphor and humor. 1. Jewish laws and lifestyle differences that can inform culturally sensitive practice 2. The role of the rabbi as intermediary and adjudicator in psychotherapy 3. Mental health trends unique to this population 4. The role of humor in Jewish life and its applicability to psychotherapy 5. The role of metaphor in Jewish religious commentary and literature and its applicability to enhancing psychological interventions Presenter: Esther Finglass, PhD C) What Judaism Has to Teach Us about Building Healthy Relationships in Families Many individuals seek out psychotherapy when they are experiencing challenges in their relationships, whether between a parent and a child, siblings, or intimate partners. Judaism can offer insight and perspective on managing complex relationships and supporting these relationships through the various phases and stages of life. This class will explore how Jewish traditions and wisdom, in conjunction with therapy, can be a powerful source of guidance and inspiration to promote healthy, strong, and lasting relationships.

4 1. Ways in which Judaism can be a resource for managing challenging relationships 2. Jewish concepts to become more present and compassionate with self and family members 3. How Jewish life cycle rituals are deeply psychological 4. How to use tools such as prayer to have intentional rather than reactional relationships 5. The power and importance of the stories we tell (an ancient Jewish practice) and how we get stuck 6. The importance of spirituality in building a strong sense of self, which is necessary for building healthy relationships Presenter: Mickie Simon, LICSW 3:00 4:30 PM: Workshop 2 (Choose one) A) Using Yoga & Jewish Wisdom to Bring the Body into Psychotherapy Yogic techniques are a natural complement to psychological work. This class will explore how yoga can offer patients improved mindfulness and greater emotional regulation. It will also discuss how mental health practitioners can benefit from yoga, from less burnout to more resiliency, and why patients have reported greater overall satisfaction with therapy when clinicians themselves practice mind-body techniques. 1. The value of bringing mind-body practices into psychotherapy and ways to introduce them into therapeutic work 2. Several mind-body skills through experiential practices, discussion, and didactic learning 3. Ethical considerations for integration of mind-body skills into psychotherapy and contraindications for using mind-body skills in some clinical populations 4. Personal patterns, fears, or concerns that might inhibit the sharing of yoga and meditation with clients Presenter: Lauren Rubenstein, JD, PsyD B) A Jewish Perspective on Forgiveness and the Unforgivable The liturgy and theology of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur creates a framework for grappling with transgressions and unforgivable acts. Some harm cannot be fixed, but repentance and spiritual growth are always possible. This class will explore how both victims and perpetrators of unforgivable acts have a way forward. 1. Ways to help clients determine if forgiveness is the appropriate therapeutic goal

5 2. Concepts of atonement, forgiveness, and absolution 3. Use of prayer for processing transgression 4. Ways to support healing from unforgivable acts Presenter: Rabbi Ruti Regan C) Jewish Teachings and the Confluence of Aging and Mental Health Judaic literature is replete with examples to suggest that the more a person s life is infused with meaning and purposeful activity, the more it is likely to be enriched. There is no age limit for this process of enrichment. This class will discuss the elderly population ( zekenim ) and the ways that mental and physical health can be addressed effectively utilizing Jewish wisdom and teachings. 1. Jewish teachings that inform the aging process 2. Mental health diagnosis and strategies specific to the aging population 3. How clinicians can combine strategies with Jewish wisdom to successfully address aging and end of life issues Presenter Bios Esther Finglass, PhD, is a licensed psychologist currently dividing her time between private practice in Baltimore County and the counseling center at Loyola University of Maryland, where she is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Psychology. She works extensively with the Orthodox Jewish population and specializes in psychotherapy and psycho-educational testing with children, adolescents, and adults with emotional, attention, and learning disorders as well as post-divorce parent coordination. Lori Kolle, LCSW-C, received her bachelor s degree in Social Work from McGill University, Montreal, Canada, and her master s degree in social work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. She has been in practice since 1986 in both inpatient and private practice settings and has been a clinical director of child and family services at JSSA for 25 years. Currently, she is JSSA s director of outpatient mental health services. Rene Laje, PhD, LCSW-C, the program coordinator at JSSA, offers clinical and programmatic oversight to clinicians that provide therapy to the elderly population. She received her PhD at Fordham University and her maste rs degree in Gerontology from the University of Northern Colorado. Laje has extensive clinical and programmatic experience in working with the elderly population. Natalie Merkur-Rose, LCSW-C, is a licensed clinical social worker who has worked in the field of Jewish communal service for over 25 years. She has led numerous workshops and groups for interfaith couples, adult children of interfaith couples, and parents of interfaith couples and is currently the director of Jewish community outreach at JSSA.

6 Rabbi JoHanna Pott is passionate about bringing enjoyment to Jewish learning and empowering individuals to create meaning in their lives through Judaism. She has served as CEO of The Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning and as the director of education at Temple Shalom in Chevy Chase and is now the educational consultant for Advancing Wisdom and Education, Inc. Rabbi Ruti Regan is a feminist rabbi, liturgist, and a disabled disability advocate. She received her rabbinical ordinance from the Jewish Theological Seminary with an MA in Ritual Arts and now provides ritual consulting and training for rabbis, cantors, and communities in accessibility and disability-informed spiritual leadership. She also writes the blog which reframes social skills as the pursuit of Hillel s mandate: That which is hateful to you, do not do to others. Rabbi Adam Rosenwasser joined Washington, DC s Temple Sinai in July 2014 as Associate Rabbi and works closely with congregants in the realms of pastoral care and adult education. He is passionate about creating meaningful Jewish experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds. Rabbi Adam was ordained in 2009 from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. Lauren Rubenstein, JD, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Bethesda. A registered yoga instructor for children and adults, she has taught yoga and mindfulness in underserved communities in Haiti, Mississippi, and Appalachia. Her humanitarian work in Haiti has been featured in the Huffington Post, Yoga Journal, and Mantra. Rabbi Hyim Shafner, LICSW, is the rabbi of Kesher Israel in Georgetown. In addition to his rabbinical ordinance, he has an MSW in social work and an MA in Jewish philosophy from Yeshiva University and holds a Certificate in Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy from the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute. Rabbi Shafner is the author of The Everything Jewish Wedding Book (2008), a founding writer of the website Morethodoxy, and a periodic contributor to The Journal of Jewish Ideas and Ideals. Mickie Simon, LICSW, is a licensed clinical social worker who has worked with women and girls for over 20 years in private practice and community mental health centers. She has been actively involved in the community with Tikkun Olam Women s Foundation and the Jewish Mindfulness Center of Washington. Dahlia Topolosky, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist who works with children, adolescents, and adults at Integrative Therapy of Greater Washington, a private practice in Rockville. She integrates a variety of techniques, including person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness techniques, and expressive arts, to address issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, and anger management. Bonnie Zucker, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist with a background and expertise in the treatment of anxiety disorders. She conducts psychotherapy in private practice in Rockville. Using a cognitivebehavioral therapy (CBT) approach, Dr. Zucker has helped hundreds of children become anxiety-free by teaching them coping skills, methods for challenging their faulty thinking, and how to systematically face their fears. She is also the author of Anxiety-Free Kids, Take Control of OCD, and Something Very Sad Happened, and the coauthor of Resilience Builder Program for Children and Adolescents and two relaxation CDs.