Absent Fathers- Professional Develpoment

Absent Fathers- Professional develpment. 

Forgiveness belongs within the psychoanalytic relationship.

Forgiveness can be described as follows; " A psychological work in continuation of the labour of mourning, with the power to safe guard the gains of a successful mourning process. It is minimally defensive, developmentally progressive and unconsciously motivated (Siassi, 2007)

Meaningful paternal contact is critical for how we develop views about ourselves and how we deal with trauma. The legacy of an absent father can be characterised by accelerated sexual development, poor choice in partner, self-sabotage & destructive tendencies which stem from excessive anger, poor self-esteem and fear of success.  Forgiveness resets and reorients the cycles of self-blame, shame and hopelessness and encourages self-compassion, integration and self-nurturing behaviour. 

Currently there is no official diagnosis of, or terminology for, an individual who is suffering from the effects of growing up without a father. Yet contemporary research and statistics demonstrate that it is an epidemic, and an issue that is escalating. It is critical that mental health practitioners are equipped with the skills to better inform their clinical practice in how to address paternal absence. Forgiveness needs to be understood as an option in treating patients in the clinical environment.

Nearly 1 million children in the UK are growing up without any meaningful contact with their fathers; and the number of single-parent families is rapidly increasing - rising to over 25% in a few decades.  We cannot underestimate the impact and scars of growing-up fatherless on the individual and society. 

Benefits and learning outcomes:

By the end of this workshop you will know -

1. Know about the stages of the forgiveness model and when to best apply them.  
2. Have clarity on what forgiveness is and what it is not within a therapeutic setting.  
3. Have a deeper understanding of your own process and misconceptions about forgiveness..  
4. Add to your tool box and skill set.  
5. Know more about clinical research in relation to the forgiveness model.  
6. Learn the different effects for men or woman who are suffering from the effects of an absent father and know how to identify this within your clients.  
7. Explore the legacy of ‘absent father’, in which to better understand loss and anger.

The Forgiveness Model

During the course of the day we will learn and adapt Robert Enwight stages of the forgiveness model in the absent fathers critica. Our model consists of 7 stages which include grounding, energy, insight or continuous awareness, sustainability, community, self care, and forgiveness.   to the unconscious dynamics of how we internalize our paternal objects, body work and guided meditations. The forgiveness model is a humanistic model that has been empirically validated by the American Psychological Association. It deals with uncovering anger, resentment and revenge. It also offers an opportunity for working through painful scarring, and reconfiguration our sense of self worth and values. Forgiveness is often complex and a very misunderstood tool which is of much public debate within psychological discourse.  

In this workshop we present working material and tools to facilitate learning about the model and how to work within this framework within your related client base. The day consist of presentations, discussions, guided meditations based on 'Absent fathers and forgiving in 3 directions' and a clinical manuel for clients. 

William Fley  

Director, Psychotherapist (MA, PG.Dip, MBACP Accredited, BSsP)  

William Fley is a mindfulness teacher and integrative psychotherapist, and has developed the ‘Empowerment Retreat Weekends’ & MNPC (The Mindfulness Network for People of all Colours). William has an MA from Birkbeck College, where his dissertation researched ‘Higher Education and the Equality Act 2010’. He has also taught mindfulness at the Universities of Brighton and London.  

Qualified as an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist from Roehampton University, William initially worked in the NHS treating bereavement, trauma and working with victims of crime; and now runs a private practice in the South Downs. He is currently undertaking clinical research into the legacy of ‘absent fathers’ and running professional development courses on this subject.

Date Noevmber 9th putney, 

  November 2nd Brighton 

Cost £60 Student and consession  

        £90 Standard rate 

www.meditationciecle.co.uk