After a long time I haven’t made a blog entry, here I am typing again. I would like to share information about my “new” webinars organised in collaboration with the Manchester Gestalt Centre.
I say “new” because it is new for us to be organising the delivery of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events online, but it is not new for me to facilitate webinars on the theme of Gestalt and Ageing.
Already, I have successfully run a series of webinars on this theme as I was invited by the Russian association Psy4Psy. I found this opportunity very rewarding, particularly because it has the power to connect people internationally, in an environmentally and economically friendly way.
Moreover, during this period of lockdown this is a great solution to continue professional growth.
Let me introduce you my forthcoming webinars!
“The Process of Self in Later Life: A Gestalt View”
02/05/2020 h16.00-18.30
We all know about the multi-layered changes we face when ageing, from the organic, physical changes to the psychosocial ones e.g. those brought from beginning retirement.
In line with the recent neuroscientific evidence (e.g. Damasio, 1999), Gestalt therapy theorises the self as a process, an ongoing interaction, happening at the contact boundary between oneself and the environment (Perls, Hefferline and Goodman, 1951). Ageing is as much of a process as the emergent self is.
I have been exploring, reflecting and writing on what happens to the process of self whilst we age.
This webinar aims to present an overview of how the process of self may change in later life, from the Gestalt therapy lens: how we may perceive the changes that ageing brings; how this process may also change the co-creation of our relational experience with others. I will introduce some theoretical ideas and give space for a personal exploration of what this means for you.
“Ageing Identity: The Story-Teller Self”
14/05/2020 h16.00-18.30
In Gestalt terms, Identity is the result of the integration of the ongoing co-created experience of the process of self. The Personality function of self gives a sense of self-continuity and it allows us to verbalise our story, our autobiography (Philippson, 2009).
During the ageing process our identity is challenged by several aspects, including changes in our physical appearance/abilities, in perceiving our self, alongside the possible occurrence of psychosocial crisis as described by Erickson (1950).
The aim of this webinar is to explore how the above aspects challenge the believed stability of one’s identity, including and starting from our own, and how we may support others to enrich their identity during older age.
All participants are invited to have pictures with them of their childhood and adulthood, and a picture representing themselves in the future.
“Ageing and Ageism in the Therapy Room”
30/05/2020 h16.00-18.30
Several research studies evidenced the powerful influence of ageing stereotypes on the holistic health of older people (e.g. Dionigi, 2015; Levy, 2003). Ageing stereotypes can be internalised during childhood, can become part of one’s belief system and play an influence that is outside of awareness. In terms of relational dynamics, this influence may occur through the way one perceives the other, the attitude towards them, then becoming part of the co-created relationship.
Beyond one’s passion for working with older people and years of experience, this process may still subtly influence the relationship with an older patient.
This webinar offers a space to explore the stereotypes and myths of ageing, understanding how ageing stereotypes become part of our belief system and affect our relationships.
Keep well and safe everyone, and hope to see you on Zoom!
English (UK) 
Italiano