Myth in Psychotherapy – Narcissism: with Donna Savery

Myth in psychotherapy – Narcissism: a workshop with Donna Savery in Stockport on Friday 12th June 2015

09:30 – 16:00

myth in psychotherapy 1STOP PRESS – Donna will be returning to Stockport on Friday 21st October to run another session on the use of creativity in therapy.  For further information click here.  Myth is deeply embedded in our culture, and perhaps even our genes. Freud and Jung used it extensively, and some practitioners actively employ it in their work. Yet the use of myth in psychotherapy and counselling is not widely covered in training or the literature. In this workshop Donna Christina Savery will present her approach to the use of myth in psychotherapy and counselling as a way of developing understanding and working with narcissism and echoism.

Myth in Psychotherapy 5Donna previously ran a workshop for us in May 2014.  Following enthusiastic feedback, we have invited her back.  While the theme is similar, the content is completely new.  This time she will focus more specifically on the myth of Echo and Narcissus and its therapeutic possibilities.  The workshop is complete in itself and attendance at the last workshop is not necessary.  But we hope previous attendees will be encouraged by the experience.

Myth in psychotherapy 5In this interactive day, Donna will consider the increasing prevalence of narcissism in today’s culture; how this affects feelings of entitlement, emptiness, dissatisfaction and rage; and the subsequent impact on expectations and power dynamics in relationships. Through engagement with the myth, she will explore the characters and traits of both Narcissus and Echo (the nymph who adored him) and the degree to which these dynamics are enacted in relationships.  She will then show that the myth can be used as a container for the expression and exploration of echoistic and narcissistic feelings.  Therapists of different orientations will have the opportunity to explore their own Naricissistic and Echosistic traits, and see how these affect their personal relationships and their roles and approach in the room. The session will involve pair and group work to engage with imagery, text and performance. In addition there will be opportunities for discussion and for the consideration of fundamental questions such as the value in working with narcissistic clients, co-dependency, labelling and its uses, and why engaging with echoism is important in psychotherapy.

For a reminder of the myth, here is a cartoon version:

If you would like some general reading on the potential of myths to change lives then Luc Ferry’s (2014) book is a good place to start.

About the event

The workshop will be particularly suitable for counsellors and psychotherapists who want to work more creatively and for those that wish to draw upon rich sources of material that enable more reflective therapy and increase self-awareness for therapist and client.  It will also be of interest to therapists who work with narcissistic or echoistic clients and with the issues that arise from them.

The day will be highly interactive and offer opportunities for self development and professional enhancement. It is suitable for therapists trained in any modality and no former knowledge of myth is required. Handouts and optional reading material will be provided, either in advance or on the day.

About the workshop leader

Myth in counselling and psychotherapyDonna Christina Savery is an Existential and Creative therapist. Her recent research into working with myth in existential relationship therapy was published in Emmy van Deurzen’s book ‘Existential perspectives on relationship therapy’ (van Deurzen, 2013). She formerly worked as a theatre director and academic and brings these elements to her work as part of her drive for authentic co-creative therapeutic relationships.  She has a private practice in Buckinghamshire as well as a busy practice in London W1. Donna is also a group therapist, researcher and is currently undergoing training in Group Analysis.  She is writing a book on ‘ Echo and Narcissus – Relationship Dynamics in Existential Therapy’ and most recently presented her research on ‘Echoism’ at the SEA conference 2014.

The cost is £90 per delegate.

To download flyer click here.

The event, which includes lunch, will be held in the calm and spiritual Evron Centre in Stockport. It will start at 09:30 and finish promptly at 16:00.

6 hours CPD. An individually signed certificate of attendance will be provided to all registered delegates. Those who register within 24 hours of the event, or who wish to obtain a duplicate, can order one from the website.

To register immediately press the button below. You can book with confidence through Eventbrite, and pay by Paypal. card or cheque. Or we can invoice you or your organisation. For further information email events@mindsite.co.uk , or call Jonathan at 0161 439 7773. To view our cancellation policy click here.

Eventbrite - Myth in Psychotherapy - A Workshop on Narcissism

References

Ferry, L. (2014). The wisdom of the myths: How Greek mythology can change your life. New York, NY, HarperCollins.

Savery, D. C. (2013). The challenges of meaninglessness and absurdity addressed through myth and role play. In: van Deurzen, E. & Iacovou, S. (eds.) Existential perspectives on relationship therapy. Basingstoke: Palgrave.