With a murder rate twice that of any other western country, the United States has recently been described as having "the violence profile of a 3rd world country." Violence, including aggressive behavior such as bullying and more serious acts such as marital abuse, assault and homicide, occurs in the USA among people of all ages and every social and economic class. This workshop is about what happens to children who witness serious violence.
At first, after witnessing violence at home, in schools or on the street, a child may say that what he saw didn't bother him, then later that it was a bad dream. Witnessing domestic violence leads to poor relationship lessons, such as relying on dominance and control to get what you want, rather than learning the skills of listening, considering, negotiating. After witnessing any serious violence, children may withdraw from investing in other people and may no longer be able to plan ahead. These children avoid thinking about consequences since they "know" they have no power over outcome. How does a child learn to value the ability to postpone gratification after watching destructive violence put an end to someone's future?
Children who have witnessed serious or extreme violence need to acquire, or re-acquire, such skills of ego development as self discipline, postponement of gratification, and self soothing mechanisms so they don't have to go on with feelings of helplessness and damage. Along with talking about the effects on caretakers who deal with these children every day, Dr. Miles will give practical suggestions that child care workers and others can use immediately in their all-important work with children, now including the many children who have witnessed violence.
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City Schools is a multi-disciplinary forum for educators and mental health professionals sponsored by the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia and the Alliance for Psychoanalytic Thought.
Educators and mental health clinicians meet at a monthly discussion group focusing on the challenges, and possibilities of public education. We examine how and why the emotional life of a developing child has such a profound impact on learning and academic achievement.
Each month we select a topic for discussion beginning with a brief presentation, followed by comments from the group, sharing different perspectives in areas where there are no easy answers.
“City Schools” facilitates a stimulating exchange of ideas between two professions that share a common interest: the academic success and emotional well-being of children in our city. The group fosters a relationship between educators and mental health clinicians to help children feel safe, respectful of others, and eager to learn. And we have fun!
Meetings are scheduled approximately monthly on Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Rockland in Fairmount Park. Bagels and coffee are provided. Act 48 credits are available.
New participants are always welcome. Please email either Elaine Frank at elainefrankadopt@gmail.com or call our administrative office at 215.235.2345.
Meeting dates for the 2009-2010 year are: September 12, October 31, November 21, December 12, February 27, March 20, April 17, May 15.
At The “aPt Idea Forum” we come together to explore topics, articles, art, and other forms of creative work through the lens of psychoanalysis and the creative process. We promote learning by choosing a topic (film, art exhibit, music, play, book, etc and encouraging each group member to pursue an aspect of that core topic of special interest to him or her; after which the group comes together to share what they’ve discovered.
This year’s first APT Idea Forum will be held on Sunday, October 25 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at Rockland. It focuses on the idea of Democracy and psychoanalytic thought. Some questions that we may consider are:
To assist in our discussion, Jonathan Lear’s essay, “On Killing Freud Again” will be sent to all registered participants in advance of the meeting. Our hope is that this forum will be intellectually invigorating, as well as social and enjoyable.
Reel Thinking is a monthly movie discussion series that began in 2008.
Next meeting: January 24, 2010: La Vie en Rose
Contact Dr. Rao Gogineni at rgoginenimd@yahoo.com for more information.