Process Sense: Human Development

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:05:00 -0400

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Sat, 24 Mar 2012 05:40:42 -0400

Process Sense: Human Development Presents "You & Me - A Workshop for Coupled Gay Men" This March!

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:23:00 -0500

Process Sense: Human Development & Brad Larsen, PsyD LLC have partnered for “You & Me”, the first installment in a series of exciting workshops specifically designed for gay male couples.

Here’s the scoop:

You & Me – A Workshop for Coupled Gay Men

In this weekend workshop, we will explore who we are as individual gay men, who we are in relationship and our identities as couples. By becoming aware of our hopes, yearnings and passions, as well as our stuck places, fears, and conflicts we can realize greater flexibility to create the kind of relationships we would like with ourselves and our partners.

Through experiential individual, relationship and group process work, we will revisit what first brought us together as couples, further develop awareness of what informs the roles we take on in relationships, begin to create new frameworks for healthy conflict, and strengthen our connections with our partners.

March 9-11, 2012

Friday - 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Saturday - 10AM - 5:00PM

Sunday 10AM - 1:00PM

Location: 4039 N Mississippi, Ste 207, Portland, OR 97227

Price: $300 per couple

TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE.

About the facilitators:

Aleksandr Peikrishvili, M.S.W., PW. DIPL., C.S.W.A.

Aleksandr is a Certified Process Oriented Mental Health Therapist, Conflict Facilitator, Coach and Public Speaker, who has been working with individuals, relationships and groups locally and internationally since 2008. Aleksandr’s work is informed by a belief that there is inherent potential and creativity hidden in the inner and outer conflicts that challenge us as individuals, relationships and communities. Most recently Aleksandr is exploring performance art as a medium for social and political change and commentary. Please visit his facebook page HERE.

Brad Larsen, PsyD

Brad is a psychologist resident working with individuals, couples and groups in the LGBTQ community since 2007. His training in contemporary Gestalt therapy has been especially valuable for providing competent mental health services from a non-pathologizing perspective. He received a masters degree in clinical psychology in 2007 and a doctorate in clinical psychology in 2011 from Pacific University. He is currently a resident at Quest Center for Integrative Health and an adjunct faculty at the School of Professional Psychology at Pacific University in addition to private practice. Please visit his Facebook page HERE.

Occupy everything. This helps the world shift from power to...

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:05:55 -0500

Occupy everything. This helps the world shift from power to awareness Paradigms.

-Arnold Mindell.

“Have you ever really had a teacher? One who saw you as a...

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:10:44 -0500

“Have you ever really had a teacher? One who saw you as a raw but precious thing, a jewel that, with wisdom, could be polished to a proud shine? If you are lucky enough to find your way to such teachers, you will always find your way back. Sometimes its only in your head. Sometimes it is right alongside their beds.

The last class of my old professor’s life took place once a week, in his home, by a window in his study where he could watch a small hibiscus plant shed its pink flowers. The class met on Tuesdays. No books were required. The subject was the meaning of life. It was taught from experience. The teaching goes on.”

-Mitch Albom, “Tuesdays With Morrie”

The Winter Intensive is an awesome training opportunity...

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:01:17 -0500

The Winter Intensive is an awesome training opportunity happening at Process Work Institute in January & February in Portland. Check the link below for details.

I am excited to be facilitating/teaching!

http://www.processwork.org/courses/winter_intensive

“Conflict is the fire in which solid relationships are...

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:58:17 -0500

“Conflict is the fire in which solid relationships are forged. A fair conflict, conducted with sure knowledge of your own goals and values, and with respect and care for your opponent makes for sustainable and productive alliances and friendships. But making conflict safe, productive, and even fun requires skills and attitudes that help ward off those aspects of conflict that lead most of us to avoid it whenever possible.”

-Joe Goodbread, author of “Befriending Conflict”

“We are a dance trying to look like a person”...

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:50:00 -0400

“We are a dance trying to look like a person” -Arnold Mindell

Opening the chiffon heart softness of my vulnerability Today I...

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 03:25:00 -0400

Opening the chiffon heart softness of my vulnerability
Today I would like to wear my heart. Not just on my sleeve
I want to wear it as a dress.
Imagine pink chiffon, cherry blossom pink chiffon, creatures
from a dream, delicate, all seven of them, singing
and on a swing, hanging off a willow by the river.
Let us out, let us sing
they plead
They sing something high pitched, like
Gorecki’s symphony #3, pure and almost
like a Gregorian chant, the symmetry
has something majestic in it.
Black lace of my desire, in a bordello
or on a delicate glove trimmed
with chocolate mink fur.
I must not forget the allure and illusiveness, yes
the slit just above the right knee, no
a little higher, where you
could almost see the orange jockstrap beneath the
Oscar de la Renta ruffles, two tone, pink and poppy red.
My hair is pulled back
no, to the side and there is a flower
in it. The passion of tango,
Almodovar, bullfighting, suddenly everything
speeds up, and I can feel the raw immediacy.
Kaftan sleeves puff out,
but the dress is held by two straps, elastic and firm,
remind me to bounce off fear
Also a starched Elizabethan collar
standing regal,
unbending will and power of a woman monarch.
And, did you see
the exhibit last fall at the international fashion photography exhibit in NYC.
And the indigenous Peruvian women wearing fancy gowns with blood and guts draped
carefully to trim the dress?
The shock
of suddenly realizing the humanity and
the suffering, the blood and guts
are my glory too, dear friend
The last part of the dress is a heart
a beating heart
If you saw this heart, walking down the street,
one morning, fragile, raw, and bleeding
Would you let it bleed to death? Would you address it politely?
Or call the ambulance and clean up squad perhaps?
Would you capture it and charge admission?
Perhaps you might permit your heart to join it?
Maybe together they would skip a beat, having finally found each other.
What shoes will I wear? Something practical? Wrestling shoes.
I need to be able to wrestle
with you, my ally, my brother, my killer,
(Did you recognize Leonard Cohen?)
Struggle with me. Feel my pain. Hear my suffering.
Yes wrestling shoes
accents of snakeskin and gold lamé and aqua
Wait, aqua makes me flow
I need a firm ground, maybe
earthy brown?
Holding it
the majesty, the grind, the agony
The beauty of it all.
Ta ta ta ta ta tat a tat at. Love is a bird and you can’t catch it
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE
I wear what I am today
The intricate layers.

To download the PDF of my final project at the Process Work Institute, copy/paste the following URL into your browser: http://processwork.org/files/Finalprojects/Thesis_Aleks_P.pdf

What is the meaning of community for you?

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:59:00 -0400

What is the meaning of community for you?

The Guest House This being human is a guest house. Every...

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:30:00 -0400

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

~ Rumi ~

(The Essential Rumi, versions by Coleman Barks)