Group Psychotherapy & Neuro-Plasticity:
An Attachment Theory Perspective
Philip J. Flores, Ph.D, ABPP, CGP, FAGPA
We are proud to present the first event in our 2011 Workshop series,
presented by Philip J. Flores, Ph.D, ABPP, CGP, FAGPA.
Dr. Flores is a Fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association and is adjunct faculty at Georgia State University, the Georgia School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, and supervisor of group psychotherapy and adjunct faculty at Emory University. In addition to two books, Group Psychotherapy With Addiction Populations (3rd) by Haworth Press, and Addiction as an Attachment Disorder by Jason Aronson Press, he has published numerous articles and chapters on addiction and group psychotherapy. He is Consensus Panel Chair of the Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP # 41), Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Psychotherapy, published by the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services and contributing member of AGPA’s Science to Service Task Force publication: Practice Guidelines for Group Psychotherapy. Dr. Flores’ latest book, Addiction as an Attachment Disorder was the 2005 Gradiva Award Winner issued by The National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis. He has also presented numerous workshops nationally and internationally on these subjects. Dr. Flores and his wife, Lisa Mahon, Ph.D., continue to run several outpatient psychotherapy groups a week in their private practice.
Workshop Details
Program Description:
Emerging evidence from the neurosciences are revealing that even though an infant’s nascent developing brain is sculpted by the child’s earliest attachment relationships, the adult brain is still malleable and can be profoundly influenced by ongoing relationships through out one’s lifespan. Advances in the neurosciences have also taught us that strong attachment bonds and external interpersonal interactions that arise within the context of these attachments are registered as concurrent changes in a person’s neurophysiology and neurobiology. Attachment theory in particular provides a valuable framework that enables researchers and scientists from a wide range of traditionally independent lines of research to naturally coalesce into a unified perspective which allows for a more thorough translation of findings from numerous domains of study (i.e. neuroscience, child development, animal research, treatment outcome). Consequently, the integrating function of attachment theory bestows a common language and conceptual framework from which the contributions from the neurosciences can be made applicable to clinical treatment. This workshop interprets and translates the implications that these findings have for clinical application, especially group psychotherapy. This is an important endeavor because the new discoveries in neurogenesis and neuroplasticity both challenge and confirm our most cherished beliefs about what dictates effective group psychotherapy.
The attendee will be able to:
1) Distinguish between different attachment styles and learn how these attachment styles impact the therapeutic alliance and treatment outcome.
2) Identify the differences between explicit and implicit learning, memory and knowledge.
3) Review evidence from neuro-imaging studies indicating that strong attachment bonds shape and influence the neurobiology and the neuroplasticity of the brain.
4) Understand the importance of enriched environments that promote optimal levels of emotional arousal for the promotion of brain change.
Part I Objectives:
The attendee will be able to::
1) Distinguish between different attachment styles and learn how these attachment styles impact the therapeutic alliance and treatment outcome.
2) Identify the differences between explicit and implicit learning, memory and knowledge.
3) Review evidence from neuro-imaging studies indicating that strong attachment bonds shape and influence the neurobiology and the neuroplasticity of the brain.
4) Understand the importance of enriched environments that promote optimal levels of emotional arousal for the promotion of brain change.
Part II Objectives:
As a result of the afternoon workshop the attendee will be able to:
1) Distinguish the difference between interactive regulation and auto regulation of affect.
2) Recognize the impact of stress on brain functioning, development & mind-body health.
3) Identify the different models of psychotherapeutic change, which are consonant with
modern attachment theory.
4) Utilize strategies that distinguish the implicit domain from the explicit domain in
psychotherapy.
AGPS has applied for six (6) CEUs for PhD/PsyD, LCSW, LPC and LMFTs.
Workshop Schedule:
9:00 - 10:30: INTRODUCTION TO INTERPERSONAL NEUROBIOLOGY
a. RESEARCH AND THEORY FROM THE NEUROSCIENCES
b. CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM STABILIZATION & REGULATION
c. BRAIN DEVELOPMENT & ATTACHMENT STYLES
10:30 - 10:45: BREAK
10:45 - 11:45: DEMONSTRATION GROUP
11:45 - 12:15: DISCUSSION OF DEMONSTRATION GROUP
a. BRAIN PLASTICITY AND NEUROGENESIS
12:15 - 1:15: LUNCH
1:15- 2:30: IMPLICIT KNOWLEDGE, MEMORY & LEARNING
a. MIRROR NEURONS & NEURO-ECONOMICS
b. EMOTIONS, FEELINGS, BODY & THE BRAIN
2:30 - 2:45: BREAK
2:45 - 3:45: DEMONSTRATION GROUP
3:45 - 4:30: DISCUSSION OF DEMO GROUP
a. ATTACHMENT OPERATIONALIZED, WRAP-UP & EVALUATIONS.
References for the workshop are available here.
Date:
March 26, 2011
This workshop will be presented in 2 three hour segments. You can sign up for either the morning or afternoon workshop or the full day as the material presented in the afternoon will be completely different.
The Morning Workshop is from 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM.
The Afternoon Workshop is from 1:15 PM - 4:30 PM.
On-site registration is from 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM at Argosy University.
Location:
Argosy University
980 Hammond Dr NE, Building 2, Rooms 400 & 401 (4th floor)
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
Pre-Registration Cutoff Date: March 19, 2011
| Morning Session Only | Afternoon Session Only | Both Morning & Afternoon | |
| Members | $60 Pre-Registration $80 Post Cutoff |
$60 Pre-Registration $80 Post Cutoff |
$100 Pre-Registration $120 Post Cutoff |
| Non-Members | $70 Pre-Registration $90 Post Cutoff |
$70 Pre-Registration $90 Post Cutoff |
$120 Pre-Registration $140 Post Cutoff |
| Students | $15 Pre-Registration $25 Post Cutoff |
$15 Pre-Registration $25 Post Cutoff |
$15 Pre-Registration $25 Post Cutoff |
No Refunds will be given within 1 week of the event.
Click Here for the Registration Form.
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Mail to...
Once you have fully completed your registration form, please mail it (with enclosed payment, in the form a check) to:
Rebecca Anne, M.Div, LMSW
Talbott Recovery Campus
5448 Yorktowne Drive
Atlanta, GA 30349
Questions about registration?
Please contact Rebecca Anne at:
rebeccaanne1975@gmail.com.