Embracing the Role of the Wise Elder | April 12 — 14 | In-Person

/in /by

April 12 — 14

Click Here to Register

See related newspaper article regarding the Wise Elder

Embracing the Role of the Wise Elder

About this event

April 12—14, 2024 – In Person

Ancient myths and modern literature refer to the archetype of the wise elder, suggesting that older age is the time when we grow into a sense of deep maturity, generous warmth and wisdom. At the same time, our American culture denies the reality of age, instead promoting the ideal of looking as young and wrinkle-free as possible with the dictum of “not slowing down.”

So we ask: What defines a wise elder? How does one develop into a wise elder and how is the wise elder different from the ubiquitous “senior citizen” that so dominates the cultural language of today?

In this three-day retreat and professional training with Linda Ciotola, M.Ed., TEP, and Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP, we explore and experience the phases of role development within us – and invite participants to step into the gifts of aging with grace and learn to bridge the gulf between life and death.

The hours of this three-day retreat-style training are:

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2024
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 13
9 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 14

We will use the action of psychodrama, the bonds of relationship through sociometry and music and the arts we explore, honor, and celebrate the Wise Elder – and give you a multitude of ideas on how to integrate these concepts into your work with people of all ages.

You will learn how to:

  • Identify where you are now as you relate to the wise elder role using Dr. J.L. Moreno’s role theory of development.
  • Understand basic correspondences of Dr. Moreno’s view with the perspective of Carl Jung, the Swiss psychoanalyst who first identified the archetypes.
  • Explore what aspects of the wise elder you already possess regardless of your current age.
    Practice stepping into the wise elder role and experience through multiple psychodramatic and creative arts techniques.
  • Explore how your near and far ancestors modeled for you the meaning of aging and how you can hold these meanings in an appropriate way for you in the 21st century.
  • In addition to recognizing many of the wise elders of psychodrama, an art-making project – the making of a Wise Elder staff and accompanying rituals – will be integrated into the training class along with instructions on how to replicate the art-making project with the people you work with.

After registration and before the class begins, you will receive a detailed list of art materials and found objects to have available to start your staff during the class.

If travel arrangements permit, please bring:

  • A staff, a tree branch, long stick, ribbons, string, cords, thin wire.
  • Assorted objects that are meaningful to you, such as old jewelry, pinecones, mementos, silk flowers, stones, crystals, little chains, beads, holiday ornaments and other objects.
  • A notebook if you wish to take notes.
  • Your curiosity, questions and enthusiasm.
  • If you are not able to bring art materials with you due to travel, we will have many options here for you.

Snacks and meals

We will provide a selection of healthy snacks and beverages on all days, and you are welcome to bring your preferred food as well. Please be prepared to bring your own lunch on Saturday.

Who will benefit

Whether you are growing older – or work with people who are older – you will be sure to find inspiration, resources, new experiential skills and more in this training workshop.

This training is designed for mental health professionals and professional helpers, including social workers, marriage and family therapists, licensed counselors, psychologists, addictions counselors, physicians, nurses, creative arts therapists, drama therapists, massage therapists and bodyworkers, alternative health practitioners, life and wellness coaches, educators, clergy, clinical supervisors, administrators, youth leaders, group leaders, graduate students and others interested in experiential psychotherapies and experiential learning.

Tuition

Tuition is $325 for Early Bird registrants who sign up by Sept. 25, 2023 and $375 after, and includes a certificate of attendance, a total of12 CE credits and psychodrama hours, plus healthy snacks and a generous online handout page of slides, articles, links to videos and information of interest.

In addition, we will provide an abundant selection of art-making materials to supplement whatever you are able to bring.

CE credits and psychodrama hours

The program provides 12 CE credits for social workers, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, plus psychodrama credits and Act 48 hours for Pennsylvania.

Twelve CE credits for social workers, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors in Wisconsin.

In addition, Linda Ciotola, M.Ed., TEP, is able to provide 12 Category 1 continuing education hours for social workers in Maryland.

How to register

You may register online here immediately with your credit card.

If you wish to register and pay in another way — such as check, money order, Zelle, etc. — please contact Karen for information.

CE credits

Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP, Companions In Healing and the Lancaster School of Psychodrama and Experiential Psychotherapies are approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors to offer continuing education for social workers, marriage and family therapists and professional counselors according to Pennsylvania Board Approval #004002.

The Wisconsin State Board approves continuing education credits for social workers, MFTs and LPCs Provider #6834-123.

  • These training hours may be counted towards the Certified Psychodramatist (CP) credential as approved by the American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy.
  • Training hours may be counted towards certification by the International Society of Experiential Professionals.
  • Training hours in psychodrama may also be applied toward certification with the North American Drama Therapy Association.
  • Training hours are approved for Act 48 credits for educators, school counselors and administrators in Pennsylvania.
  • You may be able to submit your certificate of attendance for credits in another helping discipline or in another state. Please contact your respective state board for information.

Questions

Contact Karen for questions including information on complaints.

Pandemic note

We are aware that although the pandemic is waning, it is important that we take care of our health.

We ask participants take responsibility for their health and wellbeing before and during the retreat and be mindful of the health and wellbeing of the group at large. If you notice or suspect that you are feeling sick before the workshop, or become sick during the workshop, you will be able to request a refund of your tuition, transfer your registration to a friend or colleague or request that your tuition will be rolled over to another workshop, class or group with Linda or Karen.

Transportation

Lancaster is in southeastern Pennsylvania, located 87 miles northeast of Washington, D.C., and 70 miles west of Philadelphia. It is within easy driving distance from most places in Pennsylvania as well as Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and New York.

Additional transportation options include:

  • Lancaster Airport with direct flights from Pittsburgh and Baltimore via Southern Airways Express.
  • Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), which is 39 miles west of Lancaster, receiving most major airlines.
  • Lancaster Train Station, served by Amtrak’s Keystone line, with daily service to New York City, Philadelphia and Harrisburg. Additional connections are also available to the rest of the Amtrak network.

Lodging

Participants from out of town have a variety of options for lodging. In addition to a wide selection of Airbnb and VRBO places and bed and breakfast options throughout Lancaster City and Lancaster County, here is a list of additional lodging options in or near Lancaster:

About Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP

Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP, is a trainer, psychotherapist, author and consultant in private practice in Lancaster, Pa., and the founder of the Lancaster School of Psychodrama and Experiential Psychotherapies.

She teaches psychotherapists, coaches, educators and other helping and healing professionals how to create sessions and presentations that are enlivened with authentic human connection, spontaneity and sensitivity.

She is the author of “Show and Tell Psychodrama: Skills for Therapists, Coaches, Teachers, Leaders” and co-author of “Integrating Psychodrama and Systemic Constellations: New Directions with Action Methods, Mind-Body Therapies and Energy Healing” with Ronald Anderson and “Healing Eating Disorders with Psychodrama and Other Action Methods: Beyond the Silence and the Fury” with Linda Ciotola. Most recently, she assisted in the writing of “Words of the Daughter: A Memoir” by Regina Moreno, the daughter of J.L. Moreno, the originator of psychodrama, and Florence Bridge Moreno.

In addition to her trainings for helping and healing professionals, she offers special interest groups on topics like Writing for Healers and Tea and Tarot, plus clinical supervision and consultation, along with selling sand tray miniatures.

She has particular interest in expanding creativity and spontaneity, the use of embodiment as a way of deep learning and understanding, and social change.

Learn more about Karen here, where you may also subscribe to her e-letter for professionals.

About Linda Ciotola, M.Ed., TEP

Linda Ciotola is a nationally board-certified TEP — trainer, educator and practitioner of psychodrama, group psychotherapy, and sociometry — with 50-plus years of experience in education, group facilitation and lifestyle counseling.

In addition to her TEP credential, she is an accredited Certified Trainer in the Therapeutic Spiral Model, which is an adapted form of psychodrama used specifically for working with survivors of trauma, and co-leader and co-developer of the Therapeutic Spiral Bodyworkshop designed for healing body-based trauma issues, and the co-originator of the Body Double intervention which is used both in the Therapeutic Spiral Model and in other body and eating disorder treatment. She is also a Certified Trainer in Souldrama® , an adaption of psychodrama that focuses on enhancing spiritual development and spiritual intelligence.

She is a Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher and Certified Lightarian Reiki Master Practitioner and Interfaith Minister and has integrated Reiki and yoga in her psychodrama directing. Her areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise, stress management, trauma, eating disorders, women’s health, body image and mindbody wellness.

She has presented widely at regional, national and international conferences. Linda is a master member of I.D.E.A., (The Association of Fitness Professionals), International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, The American Counseling Association, the National Eating Disorders Association, the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama and The United States Association of Body Psychotherapists.

The Who’s Who of American Women, and the Who’s Who Registry of Business Leaders have honored Linda’s professional work and contributions to her field. IDEA acknowledged her as a Master Trainer, the highest level of recognition in the personal training profession.

Click here to register