Befriending Our Defenses – Virtual Training
Clients often have shame, self-blame and/or anger about their defenses that are getting in their way of living the lives they want to live. Rather than resenting those defenses, learning to have gratitude for them can be an important part of the healing journey. Through the”Little Me” exercise – created by Psychodramatist Bill Coleman, and sometimes called the “Circles of Grace” exercise – clients can trace their defenses back to their childhoods, and develop a greater sense of acceptance and gratitude for what they had to do to cope in difficult situations. Moreover, they can learn to grant themselves more grace for the defenses they still utilize, so they can learn to befriend them, and not need to call upon them as often.
In this didactic and experiential workshop, participants will learn the “Little Me” exercise, complete it using art materials** of their choosing, share it, and as a group, we will then explore these defenses in action. Participants will then learn the specifics of how to utilize this exercise in their own clinical work.
**Please have art materials (crayons or markers or colored pencils, for example) and poster board- sized paper on which to complete your “Little Me” exercise.
Dates, Times and Location:
June 21, 2025
9:30 am – 4:00 pm PDT
Zoom (link will be sent the week of the training)
Other time zones:
10:30 am – 5:00 pm MDT
11:30 am – 6:00 pm CDT
12:30 – 7:00 pm EDT
FEE:
Standard Price: $181
Discounted Zelle/Venmo price: $170
There is an additional $10 fee for CEs, for courses of 3 hours or more.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
Course meets the qualifications for a total of 5.5 virtual hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. CAMFT approved CE Provider #1000127. Provider approved by CCAPP-EI, Provider Number 2N-10-135-0226 for 5.5 virtual CEHs. Approved for 5.5 virtual CEHs for ISEP and Psychodrama.
Visit the bottom of our Calendar of Events page for cancelation/grievance policies, educational goals, special needs accommodation, fees for CEUs and information regarding course completion documents issuance.
POLICY ON SUBSTANCE USE
If you are in substance abuse recovery, you must have at least 1 year of continuous sobriety. It is also required that all non-recovering participants abstain from alcohol and non-prescribed substances for the duration of this training, as well as the 48 hours prior to workshop commencement. This will aid in being present for the personal work and learning.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
Participants will be able to identify at least 1 childhood stressor that has contributed to the development of defenses.
Participants will be able to identify at least 1 adult stressor that has contributed to the development of a defenses.
Participants will be able to identify at least 1 value or strength they can utilize to defriend their defenses.
Participants will be able to identify at least 1 value or strength they can utilize to minimize the need to use one of their current defenses.
Participants will be able to identify at least 1 sociometric tool that can be used to help determine defenses that no longer work for them.
Participants will be able to identify at least 1 sociometric tool that they can utilize with their clients to identify defenses.
Participants will be able to identify at least 1 psychodramatic tool that can be used to help get to know their defenses better.
Participants will be able to identify at least 1 psychodramatic tool they can use to role train a new response to a perceived threat.
Participants will be able to identify at least 1 psychodramatic tool they can use with clients to role train a new response to a perceived threat.
Registration
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