10 months ago · admin · 0 comments

Compassion-Focused Therapy by Roseanna Bridge

On the 7th of September, Samutthana had the pleasure of organizing a highly successful workshop on Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), facilitated by Roseanna Bridge. The workshop was a well-rounded introduction to CFT, designed to provide participants with both theoretical understanding and practical skills to integrate into their professional work. The day began promptly at 9:30 AM with a brief introduction to Samutthana, its mission, and the facilitator, Roseanna, who is not only knowledgeable but also deeply passionate about CFT and its therapeutic benefits.

The morning session laid the groundwork by covering the fundamental aspects of Compassion-Focused Therapy. Roseanna guided the participants through an insightful overview of what CFT is, along with the science and research that support its effectiveness. The discussion on the evidence base for CFT was particularly valuable for mental health professionals, as it helped them understand the clinical benefits of this model and its growing recognition in therapeutic settings.

The workshop also touched on trauma and its relationship with CFT, making it highly relevant for professionals working with trauma survivors. Roseanna provided a detailed psychoeducation session on the evolutionary and neurobiological model underlying CFT, explaining how human emotions and responses have evolved, and how this understanding is essential in addressing self-criticism, shame, and emotional regulation. Her explanation of the three affect systems — drive, soothing, and threat — helped participants grasp how these systems interact and impact emotional well-being, particularly in people dealing with trauma or high levels of stress. Additionally, the group discussed the common fears, blocks, and resistance individuals may face when practicing compassion towards themselves and others, and how to work through these obstacles.

The second half of the workshop shifted to a more interactive and experiential approach, allowing participants to practice some of the core compassionate mind skills. One of the highlights of this session was the “compassion letter” activity, where participants were invited to write a letter to themselves, addressing their own struggles with kindness and understanding. This exercise, along with the compassion meditation session, gave participants a chance to experience CFT tools first-hand, offering them a deeper emotional connection to the theory they had learned earlier in the day.

Roseanna’s facilitation was both engaging and supportive, ensuring that participants felt comfortable and encouraged to fully immerse themselves in the activities. The use of group exercises fostered a sense of community among the participants, allowing them to share their experiences, learn from one another, and practice the skills in a collaborative environment. These interactive components helped bring the concepts of CFT to life and reinforced the idea that compassion is not just a cognitive process but also a felt experience that can be nurtured through practice.

Samutthana ensured that participants were well taken care of, providing a delicious lunch in the afternoon as well as snacks later in the day, creating a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for everyone involved. The day concluded with a final reflection on the skills learned and how participants could take these new tools into their personal and professional lives.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many commented on how insightful and meaningful the session was, particularly appreciating the balance between theory and practice. The interactive elements were highlighted as particularly helpful in allowing participants to experience what it feels like to engage in CFT from the perspective of both therapist and client.

Overall, the workshop provided a comprehensive introduction to Compassion-Focused Therapy, equipping participants with practical tools to integrate into their therapeutic practice. Roseanna’s ability to break down complex ideas into approachable concepts made the content accessible to all, and her warm and interactive teaching style created a rich learning environment. We are grateful for her expertise and look forward to hosting more workshops that continue to build on this foundation.

This CFT workshop was a significant success, and Samutthana is proud to have been able to offer such a valuable experience to the mental health community.

1 year ago · admin · 0 comments

Mindfulness Based Interventions by Dr Neil Lekamge

We are delighted to share a comprehensive report on the highly successful Mindfulness Workshop conducted by Dr. Neil Lekamge on October 14th, 2023 at the Samutthana Premises in Pita Kotte. The workshop aimed to provide participants with practical tools and insights into mindfulness-based interventions for personal and professional growth.

Event Overview:
The workshop commenced at 9:00 AM and concluded at 5:00 PM, offering a full day of immersive learning and exploration into mindfulness. Attendees were welcomed to a warm and conducive environment, conducive to deepening their understanding and practice of mindfulness.

Workshop Highlights:
– Guided Mindfulness Exercises: Dr. Neil Lekamge led participants through a series of guided mindfulness exercises aimed at cultivating awareness and presence in the present moment.

– Practical Techniques: Attendees learned practical techniques and strategies for integrating mindfulness into their daily lives, enhancing their overall well-being and resilience.

– Insights: Dr. Lekamge shared his expertise and insights gained from years of experience in the field of mindfulness, providing valuable perspectives and guidance.

– Engaging Discussions: Participants engaged in meaningful group discussions, sharing their experiences and insights, and fostering a sense of community and connection.

Participant Feedback:
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing gratitude for the opportunity to deepen their understanding of mindfulness and its practical applications. Attendees noted the workshop’s relevance to their professional roles and personal lives, highlighting its transformative impact.

Conclusion:
The Mindfulness Workshop with Dr. Neil Lekamge was a resounding success, empowering participants with valuable tools and insights to enhance their well-being and professional practice. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Lekamge for his expertise and guidance, and to all attendees for their active participation and enthusiasm.

Thank you to everyone who participated in making this workshop a memorable and enriching experience.

2 years ago · admin · Comments Off on Case Management workshop by Dr Shanthy Parameswaran

Case Management workshop by Dr Shanthy Parameswaran

Samutthana managed to organise workshops virtually for nearly three years since the pandemic. This workshop by Dr Shanthy Parameswaran was the first physical workshop organised by Samutthana since the COVID-19.

The ‘Case Management’ workshop by Dr Shanthy was conducted on the 12^th of March, 2023 at the Samutthana premises in Aunty Cookie’s Café. The workshop gave the a thorough understanding of the various case management styles for the professionals who attended. The workshop was highly beneficial for both trainee counsellors and professional counsellors as they became aware of the effectiveness of different minds working together on a case. The budding and aspiring counsellors, after participating in the session, gained confidence in their pursuit of becoming successful counsellors. The session was a wonderful learning experience for those looking for a thorough understanding about different types of cases and managing them with ease.

The workshop was a success even though it had only a handful of people due to few participants that could not attend it at the last moment. Almost all the queries regarding case management were solved in this 2-hour session and all the participants were enriched with the necessary strategies they need to improve in counselling. All the essential aspects of counselling and case management were discussed in this session. Some of them are:

Good communication
Listening skills
Confidentiality
Empathy and understanding
Non-judgemental approach

The participants were also privileged to learn some of the vital aspects of counselling, such as:

Generalising
Identification
Musing
Pre-empting

Interactive Session

The course was organised in an interactive way where participants came up with a few questions as per their ability and understanding. This unique feature of the session made it a more interesting one.

Feedback

The feedback of the participants on the workshop went beyond our expectation. Since, Dr Shanthy, an expert herself, shared all her knowledge and experience on case management and counselling for the benefit of the aspiring counsellors; there is no doubt that the workshop session will be a successful one.

Images from the workshop