The Social Therapeutics of Newman and Holzman

To Register: Contact Evelyn Dougherty at 617-983-8800 or Raquell M. Holmes at improvscience@gmail.com.

Cost: $125

We live in a world that is very focused on the “self” or “me.” We grew up being taught to “be yourself”, “take care of yourself”, “pull yourself up by your bootstraps”. It turns out that for many, the focus on ourselves causes emotional pain and isolation. It’s actually in being able to “see the other” and create groups that people can grow. Through our twenty years of working in social service agencies, therapy, science and even politics, we have learned what it takes for people to grow emotionally and do new things. Join us as we share these discoveries that have transformed our lives and the lives of others..
Week 1 - How can we reignite creativity through performance?
Week 2 - What are Emotions? Where do they come from? Can we create new ones?
Week 3 - What is the “Group” and who is the “oth er”?
Week 4 - How is it that Social Therapists see Performance and not behavior?
Week 5 - What does Improv have to do with science and life performances?

Readings from:
Vygotsky at work and play, Lois Holzman, Ph.D.
Performance of a Lifetime: A Practical-Philosophical Guide to the Joyous Life, Fred Newman, Ph.D. and Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D.
Psychological Investigations: A Clinician’s Guide to Social Therapy, Rafael Mendez, Ph.D. and Lois Holzman, Ph.D.
Unscripted Learning, Carrie Lobman, Ph.D. and Matt Lundquist, LICSW.


Bios
Evelyn Dougherty, LICSW, graduated from the East Side Institute for Short Term Psychotherapy in 1991 where she trained in Social Therapy. She earned her MSW from the University of Pennsylvania in l984. She is a community organizer and has worked in mental health, youth development and substance abuse programs for the past 27 years. She currently directs the Boston All Stars and the Boston Social Therapy Group.

Raquell M. Holmes, Ph.D., is a scientist, trainer, and administrator. She has spent the past fifteen years working in areas of biological, social, cultural and program development where she uses improvisation and performance to build collaborative learning environments. She leads experimental improvisation workshops with scientists.