“Whether we want them or not, the New Year will bring new challenges; whether we seize them or not, the New Year will bring new opportunities.”
                                                       — Michael Josephson

Welcome to the Winter 2015 issue of Westside Notes. I recently celebrated several passages in my life by taking a trip of a lifetime to Australia, and because I had travelled there in 1991 with a friend who was quite ill, my vacation became a reflection of who I was then and who I am now. With my clients I often share the phrase "That was then and this is now" as we explore one's capacity to hold both the past and the present. Several years ago one of my Somatic Experiencing mentors instilled this in me, and it applies to each of us as we breathe in the here and now, yet our bodies remember. The bittersweet memories of 1991 live inside of me along with the joyful memories of my recent trip, and once again life has unfolded in mysterious ways that have been rather healing and always surprising.

Doors Opening, Doors Closing

Part of the joy of working so closely with my associates is walking beside them as they grow into their professional identities and find their rhythm as psychotherapists. After several years in the practice as well as some multi-faceted collaboration, Annabel Raymond, MFT finished her licensure process in the Fall and is fully establishing her private practice both in our West L.A. office and in her satellite Silver Lake location. I'm fortunate enough to have Annabel seeing clients in our suite (we actually share a wall) and have lots of confidence that she will continue to be a tremendous resource within our therapeutic community.

At the end of 2014, I welcomed my newest associate, Jenny Williams, MSW who brings a multitude of clinical talents with her. Jenny is a graduate of UCLA's MSW program (my alma mater), and I am thrilled to have her join the practice.

One way to get to know someone is through their words, and here is a timely article from Jenny about "Connection" so please take a moment to connect with my newest associate whenever you have the opportunity.

2015: The Year of Connection
by Jenny Williams, MSW

This year, I spent the holidays 8,000 miles away from my family. I felt unseasonably gloomy, imagining my loved ones in England enjoying all the traditions: pulling Christmas crackers, eating figgy pudding, and listening to Christmas carols on the BBC (yes, we Brits actually do this stuff.) On Christmas Eve I found myself in a random church on Hollywood Boulevard. As I looked around at the unfamiliar faces, I felt lonely and disconnected. It seemed difficult to get into the holiday spirit so far from home, in the midst of strangers.

Read more . . .

Mindful Driving
by Maria Gray, M.A., M.Ed.

I have always loved cars. I enjoy design, speed and safety. In the early 80s, I honed my driving skills in Manhattan among the cabbies, delivering manuscripts for my mother. Several years ago my brother gave me a birthday gift of a day at the track with a professional race car driver; I was in heaven as my little car flew around the turns at high speeds. This was a safe place to enjoy my need for speed! As I have gotten older, I've become more safety conscious (and I want to maintain my clean driving record). One of my pet peeves is when I see people driving and texting. I notice drivers on their cell phones weaving in and out of lanes on the freeway at night when I am returning from work.

Read more . . .

Upcoming Conference Appearances

Maria Gray:
Evolution of Addiction Treatment Conference

Maria will be presenting Positive Psychology and the 12 Steps at The Evolution of Addiction Treatment Conference here in Los Angeles on Thursday, February 5th from 12:00 - 1:00 PM. Maria first became interested in Positive Psychology when she read Dr. Martin Seligman's book Authentic Happiness. She realized that some of her clients had not discovered how to enjoy their recovery; they were working so hard at getting better that they missed "the joy of living." Maria incorporates elements of Positive Psychology into her work with clients who are recovering from trauma and addiction.

Andrew Susskind:
American Group Psychotherapy Association

Andrew will be presenting his workshop entitled From Now On: Seven Keys to Purposeful Recovery: The Intersection between Positive Psychology and Second-Stage Recovery on Friday February 27th from 2:30-4pm in San Francisco. The workshop is derived from Andrew's recent workbook — a strengths-based approach derived from both coaching and Positive Psychology as well as the wisdom of the twelve steps.

Mixed Adult Psychotherapy
Group Openings

Currently, I have a few openings in my Monday night group which meets weekly from 6-7:30pm. Although it's been 22 years since I started my first therapy group, I'm more enthusiastic than ever as my passion for groupwork continues to evolve. Currently, I'm participating in a 2-year training with the National Group Psychotherapy Institute in Washington, DC (leaving this Thursday for the 2nd of six weekends there) which has added even more dimension to my group leadership. Please know that I always work collaboratively with referring therapists and would love to talk with you about how we can add a valuable dimension to the current individual work your clients are doing.

Winter 2015

In This Issue:

• Doors Opening, Doors Closing
• 2015: The Year of Connection
  
• Mindful Driving
• Upcoming Conference Appearances
  
• Group Updates

Order Andrew’s New Book:
From Now On:
Seven Keys to Purposeful Recovery