31st Irish Adlerian Conference 2024

Welcome to the 31st Adlerian Conference.

Summer Conference will run from the 11th of July until the 14th of July 2024

20 CPD Points Available

4 Day Courses

Sand Tray Therapy with Terry Kottman

In this class, you will learn the fundamentals of sand tray play therapy, the basics of Adlerian theory, and a variety of methods for combining the two. We will explore how to use sand trays to (a) build a relationship with clients; (b) explore clients’ lifestyle patterns; (c) help clients gain insight into their patterns; and (d) make changes in their thoughts, feelings, attitudes,

behaviors, and relationships. You will learn how to use Adlerian concepts to help you develop an understanding of clients and build treatment plans for those clients. You will also learn sand tray strategies for consulting with parents and teachers. Built into this workshop is the opportunity to do a personal sand tray every day and serve as a witness and facilitator with a partner’s sand trays.

Creative Ways to Access and Work with Early Recollections with Elaine Parker

Early Recollections (ERs) shine a light on the makings of our Lifestyle (the style in which we try to solve the problems of life). Adler believed the Lifestyle was in place by the age of five. This workshop will cover a variety of ways to work with ERs: The theory surrounding ERs, How to collect and process ERs in the formal way, Creative ways to access lifestyle through story: Early life, fairytales/books/films, Your first day at school, Psychodrama, Then we will look at how these early experiences contribute to our Lifestyle, to our beliefs about self, others, the world, and how we feel we most move from a felt minus to a perceived plus. We will also look at redesigning our memories to a more useful way of handling life. This is intended for therapists as well as those who might wish to work on their personal development

Private Logic and Creativity with Bruce Tate

Adler stressed the creative aspects of human nature. We make assumptions as we

make sense of ourselves and our surroundings. This is private logic We can be

creative in our thoughts, actions and the ways we relate to others. Creativity leads to

greater choices and personal empowerment.

During our time together we will explore our private logic or core assumptions about

ourselves, others, the world around us and how we find a way to fit in. Some of

these beliefs might have been established at a young age with some beliefs and

‘ways of living’ being more helpful to ourselves and others than others. through

developing self-awareness we are able to identify and try out alternative choices and

opportunities for the benefit of ourselves and others.

2 Day Courses

11th Thursday and 12th Friday July 2024

Focusing with Tom Larkin

Experiential Focusing is a contemplative, body-based, self-help approach to living an

enhanced life. It is a very gentle and safe way to be with how we experience the whole of life at any given moment. It is a natural process - everyone already has the resources to engage in it and psychologist and philosopher, Eugene Gendlin devised a clear, effective method so that people could more easily employ it in their lives. (see www.focusing.org). Focusing, while a technique, an approach and a way of being in the world in itself, can support and enhance all aspects of life and work e.gs. parenting, relationship development and practices like education, counselling, coaching, meditation, creativity and spirituality. This workshop will offer participants an opportunity to begin to learn about and to experience the Focusing approach.

The Five Secrets to Happy Children with Kim Lee Own

One of the biggest secrets of happy children is happy parents. Raising children is one of the most complex and challenging tasks of our lives and often we question whether there is some secret that nobody told us! When things are difficult, we feel discouraged and as if we are bad parents for not knowing “The Secret” While there are probably lots of other “secrets” the 5

secrets we will look at in this short course are effective and can when used consistently help bring clarity, confidence and calm to parent-child interactions.

2 Day Courses

13th Saturday and 14th Sunday July 2024

Befriending Your Inner Critic with Tom Larkin

This workshop will provide opportunities for participants to turn towards and engage with the neglected and disowned parts of themselves, parts that are often disliked, ignored or shunned particularly ‘the inner critic’. Through Focusing experiences and structured exercises there will be an opportunity to learn how to come to a closer integration of these parts, allowing healing to take place and stepping-stones for moving forward in our lives to be laid down. Many people talk about “conquering”, “overcoming” or “silencing” that inner voice that appears to try to

undermine and sabotage their best efforts. In this workshop we will be taking a more

compassionate approach to that fearful part of ourselves. This workshop will offer participants scope for acknowledging, accepting and connecting with the resourcefulness of these often hidden, sometimes hurting aspects of ourselves.

Why People-Pleasing is Not the Answer with Kim Lee Own

We learn to survive as little kids. We’re born helpless and dependent. For some of us, it’s

essential to make sure the BIG PEOPLE are kept happy – because that means they’ll look after us. The trouble with our strategy is, it’s not useful to us as adults! It leads exhaustion, feeling overwhelmed and resentful – none of which are good for us – or anyone else! This workshop will help participants to recognise their own people-pleasing behaviours. Identify the events and situations most likely to activate their people-pleasing responses. Recognise the strengths, skills and qualities they already have, to rely on. Choose boundaries – where to draw a line that helps you let go of the need for people pleasing stuff.

CHILDRENS PROGRAMME (5 - 12 years)

Working and playing as part of a group will provide a fun, safe environment for children to exercise their creativity and develop their problem-solving, negotiating and communication skills. Using encouragement, group meetings and other Adlerian methods, the facilitators will use opportunities to develop each child's ability to connect, feel capable and count in ways that are useful to themselves and the group.

THIS COURSE IS AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN OF COURSE PARTICIPANTS ONLY.

If you would like more information you can contact us on info@adler.ie or go to www.adler.ie

Please note Children must be 5 years old to attend the Childrens programme