PSYCHOTHERAPIST INITIATION RETREAT                 

"Initiation is the process by which we turn from our natural inclination to remain unconscious and decide that, whatever it takes - suffering, striving, enduring - we will pursue conscious union with the deeper mind, the Wild Self."

                                                                                                     -Clarissa Pinkola-Estes

We invite you to a weekend of initiation for psychotherapists. In our culture we provide educational, social, legal, and even emotional support to counselors and therapists, but rarely address the ritual and energetic needs of entrance into the healing professions.  Guided by an experienced psychotherapist and ceremonialist, this weekend provides for these needs.

We will engage the archetype of the healer directly in sacred space, asking for guidance, knowledge, power and blessing.  Using the ancient techniques of drum, storytelling, giveaway ceremony, fire ceremony and consecration service participants will be initiated into the circle of modern healers whose lineage extends to antiquity.  The workshop is experiential and minimally didactic.  The gathering is not intended to be a substitute for therapy or clinical supervision.

PARTICIPANTS

Any individual providing psychotherapy regardless of professional discipline is welcomed.  Recent graduates and licensees of counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology, psychiatric nursing, and psychiatry will find the weekend especially significant.  One of our goals is to include a mixture of new and experienced therapists that will emphasize the life-long nature of initiation.  Self-disclosure is implied and essential; participants agree to maintain confidentiality.  Non-erotic touch is also inherent.  This special workshop is limited to 20 individuals.  You must attend the entire 3 days in order to receive CEs.

FACILITATOR

Phil Foster, MDiv, LPC, NCC, DAPA, is a psychotherapist, supervisor and consultant in private practice in Decatur, Georgia specializing in spiritual, gender, gay/lesbian, shadow work, health care/healers’, artists, and mid-life issues.  He has studied shamanism with The Foundation for Shamanic Studies, the Four Winds Society and The Heart of the Healer Foundation.  Phil also provides consultation for individuals and groups around ritual, initiatory and community/organizational concerns.  He is a Past President and Chaplain of the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia and a past Chair of the LPCA Foundation.  Phil is an ordained Disciples of Christ minister.

COST: $300 (a nonrefundable $50 fee holds your space).  Upon receipt of your registration fee you will be sent a letter of confirmation with site location and other important information.  Mail checks to:

Phil Foster, MDiv, LPC

2784 N. Decatur Rd, Suite 145

Decatur, GA 30033

Questions?  Contact Phil at 404-314-8325.

"There is no single initiation that makes a person forever complete...  The process of initiation is... the lifetime spent in finding oneself over and over through ritual immersions in the intense fires of desire and the stunning waters of surrender.  These two exist as parallel realms, ruled by different rhythms and images..."

                                                                                                                              - Michael Meade