New conference in Hulgrim Cuba coming February 4-8, 2019. http://psychocubaconference2019.simplesite.com Theme: "The Psychotherapeutic Encounter."  The Psychotherapeutic Encounter What is special about the psychotherapeutic encounter? What makes meetings between the patient and the therapist therapeutic? What makes it different from other contacts? The psychotherapeutic encounter takes place in the course of multiple meetings; it is a continuous process. How is this reflected in psychotherapeutic activity? What happens in the patient, in the psychotherapist and in the relationship? The psychotherapeutic meeting is both mental and physical. What happens in the patient's body and what in the therapist and how do they physically respond to each other in psychotherapeutic meetings? These and certainly more are questions that will be addressed at this seminar. Outstanding professionals will present their views and engage in what we expect to be exciting conversations with the participants. What makes this conference extra special is that it includes professionals from Cuba, the United States and Norway who offer a variety of different approaches. Presenters: Professor Siri Gullestad, Specialist in Clinical Psychology, Psychoanalyst. Norway Psychologist Jessica Broitman, Psychoanalyst, Control - Mastery, USA Psychiatrist Alexis Alonso, Cuba Psychologist Doris Brothers, Psychoanalyst, USA Psychologist Jon Sletvold, Character Analyst, Norway Psychiatrist Ana Sarracent, Cuba Psychologist Tor Sletten, Bodynamic Analyst, Norway Location: Hotel Pernik, Holguin   Course fee: 500 dollar Price of hotel: CUC 47, - for double room as single room per night. Cuc 35, - per person in double room. All inclusive breakfast, dinner at the hotel 9 to 12 CUC xone Cuc is approx. one dollar.   There are flights directly to Holguin from USA. You can also go to Havana, take some time there and then fly Havana-Holguin.   Registration by November 1 by payment of registration fee Further information: almagroforeningen@gmail.com

Report on training on Control Mastery Theory for Cuban mental health professionals.

The International Control Mastery Center Conference in Havana, Cuba February 6-8, 2018 The International Control-Mastery Center Conference in Havana, Cuba from February 6 through February 8, 2018 was conceived following a joint Cuba-Norway-USA conference in January 2017 which was organized by our colleagues from Norway. At that conference Jessica Broitman, Ginger Rhodes and Gena Castro Rodriguez presented aspects of Control-Mastery Theory. Following that conference Jessica Broitman worked with Cuban colleagues Ana Sarracent Sarracent, Carlos Enrique Fernandez and Alexis Arturo Rodgriguez to organize a conference to teach Control-Mastery Theory to Cuban mental health professionals. Thirty-six attended. The conference was held at the EEUU-Cuba. Jessica presented a general description of Control-Mastery Theory on the first day. On the second day Jessica spoke on the development of pathogenic beliefs. On the third day John Gualtieri spoke on the unconscious plan and plan formulation in the morning and testing in the afternoon. Following each lecture, the attendees divided into four discussion groups. Jamie Edmonds and David Becker worked with those attendees who wished to focus on application of the theory to work with children, adolescents and families. Jessica and John worked with those attendees who wished to focus on application of the theory to work with adults and couples. After each lecture, the attendees, leaders and translators separated into small groups. The small groups, their leaders and their translators remained consistent throughout the conference. The discussion group leaders asked attendees to present cases for discussion and application of the theory to each case. Almost from the beginning of the conference a rapport developed between presenters and attendee which generated curiosity, enthusiasm and trust. We had excellent translators. They translated theory and case presentations with diligence and dedication to accurateness and intent. In the morning lectures, the attendees were attentive. They asked questions which helped us to further elucidate the theory. We became excited as Joe Weiss’s ideas became alive in the room. As we hoped, each small group developed trust. Case presentations were detailed, captivating, sophisticated and compassionate. Delivery of treatment in the USA and in Cuba in some cases is very different but the problems with which we are presented are very much the same. The attendees relaxed as they came to understand the flexibility of Control-Mastery Theory. They grasped the importance of a case specific approach. It is the way in which they practice. This exchange of theory and practice between countries and across languages happened with few obstacles and precious rewards. We plan to return in March 2019- please join us!