Lecture
Topics:
By Ann W. Smith M.S.,
LPC, LMFT, NCC
The Art of Intimacy
This workshop reviews the specific skills needed
for intimacy in healthy relationships and offers
tools for developing and reinforcing these skills.
Healthy Relationships/Healthy Communication
Since the most common presenting issue in our
clients is an inability to form and maintain healthy
relationships, this workshop offers guidelines for
evaluating and planning the sequence and timing of
working on relationship difficulties, whether with
individuals or couples. Specific tips for healthy
communication are given and practiced.
Relationship Readiness: Knowing When You Are Ready
For the "Real Thing"
(For those interested in "starting
over" in relationship patterns) When
relationship patterns have been dysfunctional it can
be difficult to know when those patterns have been
broken and whether to trust the new you. This
workshop will offer a means of evaluating strengths
and weaknesses in relationship skills and readiness.
The Power of Loving
Content includes an overview of obstacles to
personal healing and self-love, definition of
healthy love, discussion of the timing and
significance of forgiveness and exercises for
individuals and couples to improve their connections
with others and increase self acceptance.
Anger: Past, Present & Future
Content includes the importance of anger as a
motivational force, consequences of repression, rage
reduction techniques, communication of anger, and
learning to handle the anger of others. A brief
video may be used to demonstrate rage reduction in
group therapy.
Women and Anger: The Sources and Solutions
Women are beginning to develop awareness of their
anger but often lack effective methods for releasing
it safely, and struggle with shame for even feeling
it. This workshop addresses causes, methods for
communicating anger, prevention of
"recycling" old anger and learning to use
anger for healthy empowerment.
Men and Anger: The Sources and Solutions
The perception of many men is that anger is a
dangerous emotion expressed through aggression,
violence and loss of control. Fear of such an
outcome prevents healthy expression of anger as a
positive force in relationships. This workshop
offers a new definition of anger and a chance to
identify it, share it and use it productively.
Grief: Healing From Our Losses
Content includes basic information about feelings
in general, childhood and adult losses which are
often repressed, steps in the grieving process,
consequences of avoiding healthy grief, the concept
of "stored feelings" and steps in
supporting others as they grieve. A demonstration of
the dynamic impact of loss on our lives will be
offered.
Reducing Shame: The Challenge of Long Term
Recovery
This workshop addresses shame from the
perspective of shame we received from others, shame
we project and the state of shame we may find
ourselves in as a result. Recognizing and
confronting it with both short term and long term
solutions is the beginning of lifetime healing.
Becoming Perfectly Imperfect
A significant number of individuals feel driven,
even in therapy, by the need to overcome their
humanness and achieve a state of perfection. This
workshop proposes that the roots of perfectionism
lie in the unresolved pain, fear of abandonment and
low self esteem of family history. Both the issues
and their consequences are explored, and a model for
balanced recovery presented.
Who Am I Really?: Building Identity
The process of developing self-awareness and
eventually self-esteem is a difficult one for adults
and children from painful families. Overcoming
developmental lags, finding a nurturing environment
and changing one's self talk are a few of the steps
which need to be taken. Workshop includes steps to
building identity.
Boundaries in the Workplace
Work settings require adjustments to the
boundaries we may use for personal relationships and
social situations. Learning to trust one's instinct,
consciously choosing a course of action and
communicating honestly and effectively are among the
issues covered in this workshop.
Obstacles or Opportunities? Learning the
Difference Can Lead to Joy and Abundance
Spiritual growth can provide new insights and
perspective on even the most stressful situations.
Learning to use the "road bumps" as part
of the solution and guideposts to a higher place can
make life a little easier and prevent recurring
patterns and missed opportunities. This workshop
provides a new view and some tools to increase
spiritual awareness.
Strengthening Spirituality
Once the initial chaos is addressed, and life
becomes more manageable, we are ready to look for
deeper growth and understanding. Early experiences
with family and religious upbringing can block our
ability to heal in this most important area. This
workshop helps to identify the blocks and take steps
toward spiritual connection with self, others and a
Higher Power.
What Are We Fighting About?
Many couples find themselves frustrated and
stuck, repeating the same arguments without
resolution. Getting to the bottom of the
conflicts requires awareness of deeper needs which
remain unmet. This workshop increases self
awareness and enhances communication skills.
Second Chances at Love
Based on Ann's newest book, (to be released in
2001) this workshop offers a mature realistic
approach to love for those who have been
"romantically challenged" in past or
present relationships.
Step Families: Facing Reality and Finding Hope
Remarriage with children creates a new set of
challenges for couples who lack role models and
positive experiences in intimate and family
relationships. This powerful information helps
to strengthen and empower couples in their new
complex families.
Other available topics:
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The Power of Commitment
-
Balancing Power in Relationships
-
Emotions and Gender - How We are Different,
How We Are the Same
-
Looking Good Families: Avoiding the Trap of
Trying too Hard
-
Acceptance and Forgiveness - Essentials of
Healthy Relating
-
Leaving the Past Behind: Breaking the
Re-enactment Cycle
