Explorations

For those of you considering the benefits of psychotherapy, here are some references and links that can help you explore the wide range of therapeutic philosophies, positive action based on therapeutic principles, the effects of therapy on people, and the ways in which psychotherapy is connected to gender issues, self-knowledge and personal growth.

Events in the News:

http://www.heartsopen.ca This is a creative not-for-profit solution, recently developed in Toronto, to make up for the failure of governments to provide meaningful community action, especially in the face of contemporary social disasters. The kick-off event is aimed at alleviating the suffering of those caught in the New Orleans disaster some months ago. The project embodies the view put forward by noted American jazz artist Wynton Marsalis that we need to go beyond civil politeness to social engagement. In his words, "Forget tolerance...it's about embracing." The originators of Hearts Open hope others will join them by sponsoring similar events for other good social purposes.
http://www.performingtheworld.org Learn more about this fascinating weekend retreat on creativity and psychotherapy, now in its third year. Performing the World 3 recognizes, celebrates and interrogates the growing global performance movement, the thousands of innovative performance projects taking place in urban centers, towns and villages the world over, and the researchers, theoreticians and analyzers of what all this ensemble creativity, improvisatory play and "stage-making" might mean for human development and social change.

Bookstores:

http://www.cavershambooksellers.com
Caversham stocks a very wide range of books on topics broadly related to psychotherapy. Knowledgeable and friendly staff. Located on Harbord Street, just west of Spadina Avenue, south of Bloor Street in downtown Toronto. Mail order available.

Miscellany

http://www.concernedcounseling.com/
Self-help and links to other similar sites can be found at this Concerned Counselling site.
CBC Radio: Grief
The CBC aired a very sensitive treatment on its Ideas show, entitled "Meditations on Grief
http://www.truemirror.com
This is a very interesting site combining a technology we have all experienced from infancy, with a powerful twist on perception. When you are there, take five to check out the interesting 'hair part' theory also advanced here.

Schools of Thought

http://nationalpsychologist.com/articles/art_v9n4_1.htm
An article on the evidence that psychotherapy is at least as effective as prescribed drugs.
http://www.allaboutpsychotherapy.com/glossary/
This site has a very good glossary describing the various mainstream approaches to psychotherapy.
http://www.behavior.net/bolforums/showthread.php?t=25
"Classical Adlerian psychology is a values-based, fully-integrated, theory of personality, model of psychopathology, philosophy of living, strategy for preventative education, and technique of psychotherapy. Its mission is to encourage the development of psychologically healthy and cooperative individuals, couples, and families, in order to effectively pursue the ideals of social equality and democratic living . A vigorously optimistic and inspiring approach to psychotherapy, it balances the equally important needs for individual optimal development and social responsibility."
http://www.thewellnessinstitute.com/nonaction.html
This Taoist approach is indicative of the many culturally different approached to psychotherapy
http://cbpc.org.uk/articles.htm
A description of what is involved in 'body therapy'
http://www.focusing.org/fot/fot_articles.html
The Focusing Institute of Eugene Gendlin provides much useful information on this methodology.
http://www.uncommon-knowledge.co.uk/psychotherapy.html#
An interesting general discussion on the antecedents and metaphors surrounding psychotherapy.
http://www.group-psychotherapy.com/
Resource site on this aspect of psychotherapy with an explanation of the group process and a strong bibliography.
http://psychcentral.com/resources/Psychotherapy/Articles
Dr John Grohol’s site provides a number of useful overviews of some of the central themes in the mainstream of psychotherapy.
http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Bodywork/south66_p.htm
Describes Gerda Boyesen’s concept of joyful living and her approach to liberating body responses.

http://www.sicap.it/~merciai/bion97.htm
The "Wilfred Ruprecht Bion. Past and Future" Project starts off with two quotations. characteristic of Bion.
http://plaza.interport.net/nypsan/freudarc.html
Sigmund Freud and the Freud Archives. This collection of links points to Internet resources related to Sigmund Freud and his works. Included in this collection are libraries, museums, and biographical materials, as well as materials in the Brill Library archives.
http://www.cgjung.com/e_f.htm
A vast and almost overwhelming collection of Jungian links.
http://www.object-relations.com
Bills itself as "The Source on the Web for Information and Resources about Object Relations Theory and Practice" and does a good job living up to its claims.
http://www.selfpsychology.org/forum.htm
For Self Psychology links and information, visit this site.
University of Toronto: Sites of Significance for Semiotics
A good place to visit for links and sites of significance for Semiotics.
Univeristy of Denver: Remembering Jacques Derrida
This site is aimed at Contemporary Philosophy, Critical Theory and Postmodern Thought.
http://www.emich.edu/public/english/JNT/JNT.html
The site for “a variety of new and exciting critical perspectives” in ‘Narrative Theory’.
http://www.apsa.org/bookshop/intersub.htm
Harlene Anderson (1996), Conversation Language and Possibilities : A Postmodern Approach to Therapy.
http://www.cwru.edu/affil/sce/
Of itself it says "The SCE, North America's oldest scholarly organization devoted to theory, is launching its third decade of research, discussion, and publication with special emphasis on interdisciplinary research and on exploring the potential for critical discussion within electronic media."
http://www.forhealing.org/articles.html
A site run by transformational therapist
http://home.primusonline.com.au/peony/psychoth_articles.htm
Interesting articles on Buddhist oriented psychotherapy
http://www.psywww.com/resource/bytopic/therapies.html
Mainly on the Gestalt concept but with several references to other methodologies

Gender Studies

http://vos.ucsb.edu/browse.asp?id=2711
Voice of the Shuttle is the major site for the views of women theorists. A vast array of links from this site make it easy to delve into all areas of gender theory. A 'must- see' site, and a wonderful place for genral academic research.
http://www.usask.ca/wgst/index.html
The Department of Womens’ and Gender Studies at the University of Saskatchewan hosts useful links on these topics.
http://mensstudies.org
"The American Men's Studies Association is a not for profit professional organization of scholars, therapists, and others interested in the exploration of masculinity in modern society.
http://web.indstate.edu/spsmm/
"The Society consists of men and women dedicated to promoting the critical study of how gender shapes and constricts men's lives and committed to the enhancement of men's capacity to experience their full human potential".
http://www.rolstad.no/iasom/
"The International Association for Studies of Men is an independent researchers’ initiative aimed at developing men’s studies on the global level. IASOM has support is a global network for studies of men. IASOM supports studies of men in gender-egalitarian, pro-feminist or critical as well as male-positive perspective, and the widest possible diversity and nuancing of research based on this common orientation."
http://www.ncfm.org/phil.htm
A site dedicated to reducing stereotyping as it affects men. ‘ Men have few or no effective choices in many critical areas of life. They face injustices under the law. And typically they have been handicapped by socially defined "shoulds" in expressing themselves in other than stereotypical ways.’