AAMFT JMFT Webinar Series Presents: Jason J. Platt, PhD
Political Polarization in the Therapy Room
Thursday, July 25 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EST
What emotions occur for you when you engage in conversations with people who hold different political views from your own? Do you feel centered and grounded? Or, has the toxic, contemptuous and growing extremism of the political divide within the United States led to reactivity and a tendency to speak from the worst in yourself to the worst in others? If so, you are not alone. Your answers to these questions do have clinical implications though!
Drawing on the recently published JMFT article ¨Divided we fall: Constructive dialoguing about our political differences within family therapy training¨(Laszloffy & Platt, 2024), Dr. Platt will discuss why the world is in dire need for clinicians who are prepared and competent in discussing politics in therapy, how political orientation must be considered within self-of-the-therapist work and what are some practical tips for regulating our emotions in order to be more effective as therapists.
Come participate in this timely presentation and dialogue. You can also access a free copy of the article here and participate in a Q&A session following the presentation. All are welcome.
Learning Objectives
- Based on the content of this session, I am able to understand why family therapists are desperately needed and uniquely prepared to facilitate political conversations in therapy.
- Based on the content of this session, I am able to understand why political identity is a vital self-of-the-therapist dimension to be considered by clinicians.
- Based on the content of this session, I am able to learn practical tips therapists can use to regulate their emotions and be more grounded when addressing politics in therapy.
About the Speaker:
Jason J. Platt, PhD is an AAMFT Professional member and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor based in Mexico City, Mexico. His educational, research and clinical focus has focused on internationalizing mental health services and training. He maintains a private practice where his clinical work is primarily with bi-national couples and humanitarian aid workers in high conflict areas around the globe. His work has been significantly informed by Paulo Freire and the importance of dialogue in creating social change.
AAMFT Presents: Sar Surmick, LMFT
Leadership from the Target Position
Thursday, July 18 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EST
It’s one thing to sit with clients when they’re dealing with macro & micro aggressions. It’s another when you’re the target of those same aggressions. The combination is draining and often disheartening. When you’re in a leadership position or working as an advocate, and still living as a target of oppression you’re fighting, things get even more difficult.
Using her own struggles as a Non-binary Trans therapist and advocate, Sar will illustrate ways to stave off burnout, grow as a leader, and act in resistance. Together we will look at 3 strategies for burnout management in the face of oppression. We will explore 3 ways to use your positionality to grow as a leader. And we’ll discuss how to use the emotional impact of being a target to strategically act up and act out.
Join us for a hard, but needed discussion about showing up when others work to keep you down. A robust Q&A session to follow the discussion. Target groups and allies welcome.
Learning Objectives
- Based on the content of this session, I am able to: recognize oppression as a factor in burnout and apply it to my own life/practice.
- Based on the content of this session, I am able to: define at least one growth area I need to work on as a leader.
- Based on the content of this session, I am able to: articulate at least one act of resistance to oppression.
About the Speaker:
Prof. Sar Surmick, LMFT
Sar is a systemic LMFT based out of Redmond, WA. She specializes in Identity, Consensual Non-Monogamy, and Consent. Sar is author of, "The Consent Primer," an internationally known Consent educator, an MFT approved supervisor, an advocate for non-binary & Trans individuals, and works as a professor at Antioch University.