Class Descriptions Chapters 1-4

Classes are facilitated by Laurie Benson-certified in Journal Facilitation, 2018

Classes are taught using the virtual platform, Zoom.  A link will be sent each week.

Classes are taught in 4 or 8 week series, each class will revolve around a chapter in the book and include facilitated journaling activities where you can receive your own indirect insight.

Powerpoint Presentations, with various writing techniques for journaling, are presented in a fun and interesting way, with chances for class participants to share, if they desire.  Participants are asked to purchase, Prodependence: Moving Beyond Codependency, by Robert Weiss, prior to the first class.

"I recognize and accept that this book will not be perfect or even a 

fully finished product.  And that is okay because my goal here is not

to dazzle but to spark interest, discussion, analysis, experimentation, and,

hopefully, in time, a modicum of much needed psychotherapeutic

process.  My sole aim is to push the addiction treatment field

(and perhaps psychotherapy as a whole) forward a step by

focusing less on individual brokenness, and more on inherent

human strengths and attachments.  If I accomplish nothing more 

than that, I will be happy with this work."

-Robert Weiss

Classes are informal but insightful.  The journaling techniques are therapeutic in that participants gain greater understanding about the mutually dependent relationships in their lives, have "aha" moments, and regain or begin to love the practice of putting their words on paper.  Perfect for people who want to understand relationships with difficult people, who have addicted loved ones in their lives or are in recovery from addiction themselves.  Great for learning to set boundaries in relationship and practice self love as well as reaching out to others in a truly helpful way.

Chapter 1: Addiction, Empathy, and Psychotherapy:  June 30, 2020  6:30-8:30 PM (MST)

"For full emotional communication, one person needs to allow his mind to be influenced by that of the other."

-Daniel Siegel, The Developing Mind

Chapter 2: The Times, They Were A-Changing: July 7, 2020  6:30-8:30 PM (MST)

"Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."

-George Bernard Shaw

Chapter 3:A Brief Examination of Codependence:  July 14, 2020  6:30-8:30 PM (MST)

"Codependence: A psychological condition or a relationship in which a person is controlled or manipulated by another who is affected with a pathological condition (such as an addiction to alcohol or heroin); broadly: dependence on the needs of or control by another."

-Merriam-Webster

Chapter 4:Our Need To Connect:  July 21, 2020  6:30-8:30 PM (MST)

"Splendid isolation is for planets, not people."

-Sue Johnson, Love Sense