Counseling in Chicago with Bill Martin, LCSW

February 7 and 21, 2012: Free Relationship Skills Workshops for Men and Women

Bill Martin, LCSW — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 19:03:00 +0000

Confused about a relationship or fighting too much?

Here’s a free workshop for you to learn what healthy talking and listening looks and sounds like, and how you might be able to turn things around in your relationships.
Designed for a comfortable, fun learning experience, the workshops are offered separately for men and women and will include video examples, a brief workbook and bibliography for future reading.

February 7, 2012

Relationship Skills for Women (2 Places Left)
7-9:00pm, Tuesday
1300 West Belmont, 2nd Floor Conference Room
Cost: Free

February 21, 2012

Relationship Skills for Men (4 places left)
7-9:00pm, Tuesday
1300 West Belmont, 2nd Floor Conference Room
Cost: Free

Specifically, participants will:

Review the research literature associating “feeling loved” (Harvard Mastery of Stress Study) with wellness and life longevity.

Understand basic systems of the human body, including the brain, respiratory, digestive, and hormonal and how they function to activate the “fight, flight, freeze” process.

Utilize the “Emwave” stress reduction system to determine their own level of stress.

Learn a research based 4-Step method of reducing stress, including: conscious breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, counting, personal place imagery, and wisdom figure image to build a calm place to improve ability to communicate.

Explore and practice communication concepts and skills, including reflective listening, making “I” statements, and problem-solving.

Identify the use of speaking-listening mistakes such as rehearsal, retaliation, defensive listening, blaming and criticizing.

Participants will learn in a comfortable, safe workshop setting using power-point, a workbook handout, discussion, and practice as some of the learning tools.

This workshop will serve as a basis for advanced workshops to be offered later.

Pre-registration required

Cost: Free

Light refreshments will served.

Bill Martin, LCSW Info:

I’ve been an active therapist, teacher, writer, and workshop leader for many years.

My students in the graduate class I taught nominated me for a prestigious teaching award and I look forward to developing this workshop for men and women to learn more about communication, stress, and the important influence of the architecture of our brains.

I have been spending the last few years writing about ethics, abuse, impact of trauma on memory, and other psychotherapy related topics. I am in the process of completing several communication modules which will be offered as part of this free workshop to participants.

A member of the faculty of the Chicago Center for Family Health, I have a long history in the family therapy field of which I am very proud.

To register, click here, or send or email the completed form below:

___February 7, 2012 Relationship Skills for Women

___February 21, 2012 Relationship Skills for Men

Name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:

For more information, email Bill Martin at bmartin222@aol.com or call 312-409-0632

Victory for lllinois Bloggers Further Legitimizes the Right of Free Speech to Blogs

Bill Martin, LCSW — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:56:22 +0000

In his website article, “Victory for Bloggers: Illinois Blog Wins Lawsuit”, Warner Todd Huston, reports:

“In a good sign for blogger free speech, a lawsuit against a high profile conservative blog in Illinois has just been tossed out. A political contributor brought the lawsuit over a story about property tax reassessments and political contributions. This is a victory for free political speech as well as a victory for the status of blogs in the world of “journalism.”

So, more evidence and close to home for all those Illinois bloggers who are reporting on controversial topics. They have the same protection as mainstream journalists.

Internet and Free Speech: Courts Rule Bloggers Have Same Right to Free Speech as Mainstream Media

Bill Martin, LCSW — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:38:29 +0000

The term “blog” is derived from the words, web and log. Literally, it means that it is a record of something stored on the internet on a website.

Blogs have increased exponentially over the last few years and are credited with becoming an incredible way to publish information on the internet instantaneously.

Social networking and blogging have become an instrumental tool of revolutionaries in the Middle East and around the world seeking to overthrow dictators and offer an opportunity to create a free and democratic society.

While initially skeptical of blogs, mainstream news media have adopted blogging as an important means for them to deliver news by the minute as it is happening around the world.

In significant legal developments, American courts are recognizing the important role the internet and blogging has as part of a free society.

In ruling on a case related to the freedom of the press, a California Appeals court ruled:

“The Californian appeal court decided on 26 May that online journalists and bloggers have the same right to protect their sources as all other journalists. The case was brought to court by Apple Computer demanding from a number of news website operators to reveal the source of confidential information posted about some of its products.”

So, bloggers, big and small, organized by mainstream news corporations or passionate individual citizens, were accorded the right to free speech.

Bloggers became legitimized as members of the global system of accessing and delivering news to the public.

So, while a blogger may seem like an individual who may be vulnerable to a large corporation or more powerful and wealthy individuals, their rights to free speech are more protected as a legitimate member of the mass media.

And this is a good thing.

Ethics and Listservs: Case of Zippy and Bungle in the United Kingdom

Bill Martin, LCSW — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 20:50:42 +0000

I do love the digital age we’re in. A colleague in the United Kingdom responded to one of my ethics posts with an interesting case study.

If you think people, especially psychologists and other therapsts can’t get into ethical trouble writing online in a listserv or blog, think again.

For more on this story, click here and especially here where you can read the personal diary of one of the therapists who got in trouble.

This is a great story. My colleague tells me there have been all sorts of ramifications related to this case, so I am anxious to read more.

Sorry, to find out who Zippy and Bungle are, you will have to click the links and read more!

Ethics & Psychotherapy Listservs: 5 Steps Before Signing Up

Bill Martin, LCSW — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:35:17 +0000

Listservs create a ready made opportunity for boundary crossings and violations.

If you decide to explore participating, not just signing up, here are 5 Steps to take to protect yourself, your privacy, and your integrity.

I. Evaluate the Moderator

Usually, there is a single or team of moderators who read, review, approve posts for the listserv and determines when a topic has been exhausted.

You best make sure the moderator is online and really managing the process. If the moderator is not minding the shop, members of the list have a free reign to say almost anything they want.

Trust me. People can make some claims that will make your ears spin. You can tell who is passionate about what by the posts they write.

It can be wonderful and dreadful, and the moderator is the gatekeeper of members comfort zone.

II. Evaluate the Members

Listservs usually identify their purpose and set some rules about membership. If anyone can join, beware of posting.

Listservs which require licensing of the psychotherapists involved are perhaps safer, as each person is speaking the same language with the same general expectations.

III. Members Ethical Duties and Responsibilities

Its possible for a person to be a licensed psychotherapist, but not be a member of their professional organization, in part to avoid having to be ethically accountable to the public.

If a therapist is a member and subscribes to the Ethical standards of their profession through their membership, they are making a promise to the public and the client to practice in an ethical manner.

When a therapist does not subscribe to their professions ethical standards, they simply don’t have to worry about receiving a complaint and having to deal with it.

In fact, some therapists will kind of laugh at someone else who expresses a grievance with them.

IV. Evaluate Why You Want to Join

Therapists join listservs to be more connected, learn about their profession, dialogue online with kindred spirits, market themselves and products, and for more nefarious reasons as well, like internet bullying.

If you are looking to mainly market yourself and practice, it’s best to think of it as kindly and infrequent process.

V. Think Twice

You really have to jump in this pool at the shallow end first, should you think about applying to a listserv. You will learn quickly there is a big difference between a listserv that is moderated and one that is not.

Here are listserv terms and their definitions:

Owner: the person who has created, owns, and establishes the rules for the listserv.

Moderator: usually the owner, but can be anyone who screens and evaluates each post/message to the listserv for ethical communication.

Moderated listserv: a listserv with a moderator who approves or rejects initial posts to listserv by members.

Unmoderated listserv: in listserv language this is called “the wild, wild west” of online experiences. There is no moderator and any member can post any message at all to the entire list instaneously. This type of listserv will offend the sensitive, survivors of trauma and irritate the other people online who thinks it’s ok for provacative members to flaunt themselves for the greater glory need they have inside.

Avoid unmoderated listservs….and remember, because the listserv may say there is a moderator, they may be on vacation somewhere and turned the listserv switch to unmoderated.

Psychology Internet Listservs: When Participants Identify Themselves as Psychologists, Social Workers, Therapists, They Are Bound by Their Respective Ethical Codes

Bill Martin, LCSW — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:17:13 +0000

The proliferation of internet listservs for psychologists, social workers and other licensed therapists has posed important ethical challenges, especially in the proper way of acknowledging research discussed, confidentiality, and respectful and courteous professional behavior while online.

There are beginning to be articles written about this topic, as it is a serious matter when a professional violates an ethical boundary, especially while online with perhaps hundreds of colleagues.

When there is a potential infraction, everyone becomes a witness and the data is in black and white and has been read all over.

For a quick read on this evolving issue, click here.

Having participated on a few listservs myself, I have some data to write about and will do so in future postings.

In the meantime, if you are a licensed psychologist/social worker/therapist, it’s very important for you to know that you are bound by your ethical code and can be held accountable.

Obviously, the best way to avoid ethical problems, is to have your own ethical decision-making process in place and a consultant when you may be confused about something.

It’s always best to remain clear about the ethical boundaries of issues and avoid even any hint of a boundary infraction.

Also remember, your professional organization offers free consultation to you and the public to discuss any possible ethical problem and ways to resolve them, either through the filing of a complaint or mediation.

February 7 and 21, 2012: Free Relationship Skills Workshops for Men and Women

Bill Martin, LCSW — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:25:08 +0000

This workshop will introduce participants to the powerful way stress influences the way we communicate and contributes to the repetitious, often problematic, patterns in our lives.

Designed for a comfortable, fun learning experience, the workshops are offered separately for men and women and will include video examples, a workbook and bibliography.

February 7, 2012

Relationship Skills for Women
7-9:00pm, Tuesday
1300 West Belmont, 2nd Floor Conference Room
Cost: Free

February 21, 2012

Relationship Skills for Men
7-9:00pm, Tuesday
1300 West Belmont, 2nd Floor Conference Room
Cost: Free

Completion may be done in person or via distance learning using the internet.

Specifically, participants will:

Review the research literature associating “feeling loved” (Harvard Mastery of Stress Study) with wellness and life longevity.

Understand basic systems of the human body, including the brain, respiratory, digestive, and hormonal and how they function to activate the “fight, flight, freeze” process.

Utilize the “Emwave” stress reduction system to determine their own level of stress.

Learn a research based 4-Step method of reducing stress, including: conscious breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, counting, personal place imagery, and wisdom figure image to build a calm place to improve ability to communicate.

Explore and practice communication concepts and skills, including reflective listening, making “I” statements, and problem-solving.

Identify the use of speaking-listening mistakes such as rehearsal, defensive listening, blaming and criticizing.

Participants will learn in a comfortable, safe workshop setting using power-point, a workbook handout, discussion, and practice as some of the learning tools.

This workshop will serve as a basis for advanced workshops to be offered later.

Pre-registration required

Cost: Free

Light refreshments will served.

Bill Martin, LCSW Info:

I’ve been an active therapist, teacher, writer, and workshop leader for many years.

As part of the faculty for the Chicago Center for Family Health, I have led year long consultation groups, taught workshops, and supervised trainees. I also was a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration for four years. Over the last few years, I have devoted more of my time to work with younger adults and couples. I use a communication method, similar to the focus of this workshop, which has quickly helped couples begin to improve their communication, intimacy and problem-solving.

To register, send or email the completed form below:

___February 7, 2012 Relationship Skills for Women

___February 21, 2012 Relationship Skills for Men

Name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:

For more information, email Bill Martin at bmartin222@aol.com or call 312-409-0632

Listening: A First Step in Improving Couple’s Communication

Bill Martin, LCSW — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:38:25 +0000

The first goal in my work with couples is to teach a method of speaking and listening using research based communication concepts. These concepts include “I” statements, non-defensive or active listening, and asking clearly for what you want.It’s more difficult than it looks. The key problem is most of us did not grow up in families where effective communication was either taught or modeled.

As a result, we learned some very bad lessons which keep us unhappy in our relationships.

These bad lessons are called “cognitive distortions” or unhealthy rules/beliefs about the way we should relate to each other, including blaming, criticizing, mind-reading, and black and white thinking. Click here for more examples and definitions.

In the exercise, the speaker only makes “I” statements, identifies and expresses feelings and says what they wish for.

The listener only active listens, reflecting what the speaker is saying, using the speakers words, and helping them say more about their thoughts, feelings and wishes.

It works.

Sex Abuse in the Sports World: Tape Recording with Laurie Fine, Wife of Bernie Fine Confirming Sexual Abuse of Bobby Davis Is Chilling

Bill Martin, LCSW — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:24:50 +0000

Listen to this tape recording here.

Recovered Memory: Freud’s Belief, Then Rejection of Recovered Memories of Abuse

Bill Martin, LCSW — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:55:34 +0000

One only needs to examine the work of Freud to see the origins of the recovered memory debate.

In 1896, Freud wrote of a pattern of sexual abuse of women in eighteen consecutive cases.

Robert Dewey quotes Freud in his “Introduction to Psychology”:

“The event of which the subject has retained an unconscious memory is a precocious [unusually early] experience of sexual relations with actual excitement of the genitals,

resulting from sexual abuse committed by another person; and the period of life at which this fatal event takes place is earliest youth—the years up to the age of eight or ten, before the child has reached sexual maturity. A passive sexual experience before puberty: this then is the specific aetiology [cause] of hysteria.

…In some eighteen cases of hysteria I have been able to discover this connection in every single case and, where the circumstances allowed, to confirm it by therapeutic success. (1962/1896, p.199)”

However, Freud quickly changed his mind and argued that what he found as sexual abuse was merely a normal pattern of fantasy in families.

Historians and mental health practitioners look back on this reversal with disappointment, but some appreciation for the complexity of the issue.

Freud was using hypnosis, which contemporary research has found to contaminate the memory process. Also, the potential for there to be eighteen consecutive cases of sexual abuse seemed unlikely.

Whatever his rationale for changing his mind, one can easily assume there were very high incidences of sexual abuse and incest occurring. However, Freud’s powerful influence in the world, essentially shut the door on any serious investigations into these issues for about 100 years…it was a long time.

So, was Freud wrong to normalize these recollections of his clients as fantasy and disregard the possibility of them being sexually abused?

A look at the history of sexual abuse in the world begins to suggest a more massive problem with the sexual abuse of children, than anyone could ever possibly imagine.