NeuroSystemics CARE Training Briefsimplemindfulness.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Neuro...Transpersonal psychology (Wilber) Contemplative imaginal & emptiness (Burbea) Eco-psycho-spirituality

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NeuroSystemics

3-year CARE professional therapy training:

A community-based experience to learn practical therapeutic

& life skills of embodiment, empowerment & joy!

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Introduction

“I think there’s every reason this 21st century will be much happier!”

- H.H. the Dalai Lama

Over the course of our evolution, our human species has gone through two

revolutions: we learned to domesticate the natural environment through agriculture,

and then technology developed to a super-industrial capacity. Due to these great

transitions in our way of life, the forms of self-regulatory mechanisms of healing and

growth, from our own individual nervous system to our planetary systems, are being

challenged. Our psyche, our communities and our wider ecological and societal

structures require care.

Thankfully, as complex systems, we humans are imbued with non-linear principles of

emergence: despite any measure of chaos in ourselves or our surrounding, we have

the capacity, at any moment, to rise up to a new level of organization, healing and

awakening. NeuroSystemics proposes a meta-therapeutic approach to provide fresh

perspectives for individual, community and societal resiliency and empowerment.

NeuroSystemics methodology

NeuroSystemics is an integrative methodology bridging ancient wisdom traditions,

the latest neurosciences and systemics. The over-arching NeuroSystemics

framework is applied in various modalities, including mindfulness retreats,

professional therapy trainings and resiliency communities.

As a community-based and systemically-oriented methodology, the first aim of

NeuroSystemics is to build safe and caring communities. This enables the natural

unfolding of participants’ nervous system, passionate living and awakening to higher

levels of understanding. Its methods and practices are framed within an integrative

perspective to include bio-affective, cognitive, mystic, social and structural

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dynamics. Much like musicians with different skillsets forming a quartet symphony,

NeuroSystemics’ art and science serve to harmonize one’s experience to

progressively deeper levels with a variety of tunes to dance at the rhythm of the

cosmos.

A deep & meaningful adventure

The CARE training is a transformative 3-year journey to practice essential life and

therapeutic skills. It is a precious opportunity to:

Train contemplative abilities of

mindfulness, compassion and

gratitude with playfulness.

Practice self- and systemic

regulatory skills and sense the bio-

psychosocial nature of the nervous

system functioning.

Enjoy a gentle, pleasurable and

solution-centered methodology

which focuses on positive

psychology while also caring for

more problem- and symptom-

centered perspectives.

View the experiential therapeutic

process in action with live

demonstrations and discuss its

process of healing, empowerment

and awakening.

Participate in and help co-create

grass-roots spaces for reflection

and practice.

Be supported by a caring

community of practitioners and

teaching team and experience the

fundamental role of systemic

processes for resilience.

Develop an understanding of the

most recent clinical research in

psychotherapy and its implications

for therapeutic practice with

individual and groups.

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3 Axes of impact

The CARE training is a highly experiential and engaging process oriented towards 3

axes of impact:

• Belonging: being a part of a vibrant self-organizing community offers radical

possibilities to deepen a sense of belonging and skillful engagement.

Together, with a diverse and committed group, it is possible to creating

positive and empowering visions of the future: “Together we go further.”

• Experiential transformation: the training offers different activities, ranging from

individual work to small group dynamics to community processes. They all aim

to reach deep psychobiological and relational patterns to free up one’s

capacity and love for a more connected and purposeful life: “The way is in the

heart - follow it and be transformed by it.”

• Skill development: by personally experiencing the different training activities in

a safe environment, one will develop transdiagnostic therapeutic skills for 1:1,

group and community settings, transferable to one’s life. Participants, at their

own pace, will learn practical abilities to support durable healing, self-reliance

and creative living: “Give a friend a fish, and you feed them for a day. Teach

them to fish, and you feed them for a lifetime.”

The CARE training is a professional program, and certified graduates will be

registered on the SIMPLE online directory. For more information about the CARE

training, please visit: http://simplemindfulness.org/neurosystemics.

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NeuroSystemics: a quartet symphony

“My soul is a hidden orchestra; I know not what instruments,

what fiddlestrings and harps, drums and tamboura I sound

and clash inside myself. All I hear is the symphony.”

- Fernando Pessoa (1982), poet & philosopher

Diversity is one of nature’s key dynamics for resiliency. For instance, different species

of plants have different protective mechanisms. When herbivore insects attack plants,

it is those plants emitting volatiles that attract enemies of the insects which survive.

(Gossner, Weisser, Gershenzon, & Unsicker, 2014). Plants reaching a high level of

attunement in attracting the right insect predators will tend to mature and prosper at

a faster rate. What’s more, when plant life has overcome the attack, they encode the

learning experience for future reference and communicate it to other plant species

through underground microbial networks. Human biology also follows these

principles of biodiversity, organismic attunement and learning when it comes to

immune system response and resiliency to protect itself.

In a similar vein, NeuroSystemics orchestrates an adaptive conceptual framework

and a transdiagnostic therapeutic methodology to help renegotiate past and current

traumas, heal depression, prevent burnout and dramatically reduce anxiety and

addictive tendencies. Empirical science, as a continuously adaptive immune response

for the organism of the human species as a whole, discovered a new research

paradigm of “common factors” (Lambert, 2003; Laska, Gurman & Wampold, 2014).

Through several wide-ranging meta-analytic studies of the last 60 years of

psychotherapy, it presents the key findings factors which make therapy successful.

40% of therapeutic success in the transfer between the therapeutic context and the

client’s daily life. Therefore, in order to maximize transferential potential between

therapeutic work and daily life, it is key to support clients in variety of contexts that a

client experiences in their life - internal, social and societal.

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A second emphasis in the “common factors” approach, making up to 30% of

therapeutic benefit (Cuijpers, Reijnders, & Huibers, 2019; Lambert, 2003), lies in the

strength and confidence of the therapeutic alliance. The therapeutic technique is

only worth 15% of the therapeutic impact. This means that both (i) transferential value

of therapy experiences and insights and (ii) the relational container are the key

priorities in therapeutic work and NeuroSystemics is founded on these postulates, by

emphasizing:

1. The fractal re-iterative and interdependent dynamic between a client’s

therapeutic experience and their daily life. Much like musicians playing with

different skillsets in a quartet symphony, a fourfold set of diverse and

complementary practices grounded in solid theory and empirical evidence:

individual, community, structural and mystical domains. This meta-therapeutic

perspective reflects the bio-affective, cognitive, intuitive and social and

societal diversity of human experience to maximize the transferential potential

of therapeutic interventions to clients’ daily life.

2. The therapeutic alliance as well as systemic and relational considerations in all

its practices. Systems thinking considers health and resiliency through the

quality of relationships between the system’s component parts. A solid, safe

and playful therapeutic alliance, therefore, offers great potential to increase

the impact of therapeutic interventions. The therapist is trained to develop a

multi-factorial sensitivity, attunement and responsiveness to a range of human

conditions.

In multi-person contexts such as group therapy or community processes,

facilitating skillful intergroup communication and connections also harnesses

the power of a constructive relational container. It opensup spaces for

harmony, playfulness, beauty, wisdom and mystery of individual and systemic

experience.

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Meta-therapy

“Everything must be made as simple as possible. But not simpler.”

- Albert Einstein, physicist & philosopher

NeuroSystemics is a transdiagnostic therapeutic methodology. By focusing on

systemic principles of (i) transference between interdependent experiential contexts

and (ii) relationality between therapist and clients and among clients, as well as many

others, NeuroSystemics senses at some of the underlying causes for healing and

freedom from symptomatic conditions such as trauma, depression, anxiety, burnout,

and post-traumatic stress disorder. This meta-therapeutic process itself involves 4

specific domains of intervention:

0. Mysticism: playing with perception, ritual and ceremony to deepen freedom

and reclaim a sense of sacredness, beauty and purpose to one’s life.

1. Individuality: embodying explorations of their channels of experience

(Meaning, Orientation, Sensation, Affect & Image = MOSAI) and personality

via resourceful means.

2. Community: sensing and belonging in communities.

3. Structurality: relationships to the supra-systemic institutions in which clients

are structurally embedded.

Each domain represents a fractal of the other domains, meaning they are self-similar.

In effect, the way a client behaves intra-psychically (individuality domain) to some

extent will mirror, either as the same or its opposite, their way of relating in more

relational (community domain) and structural contexts (structurality domain).

Similarly, the extent to which an individual feels embedded and supported in a

community (community domain) and deeply explored several channels of their

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internal experience (individuality domain) will have a large influence on the sense of

soulfulness and numinous receptivity (mysticism domain). Therefore, one’s

functioning in each domain is interdependent to all other domains: a transformative

therapeutic experience at the community level will likely have implications at other

levels.

0. Mysticism 1. Individuality 2. Community 3. Structurality

Simply put, NeuroSystemics involves, usually in sequence, (i) the building of a

therapeutic alliance, (ii) gradually opening up to and differentiating the various

channels of experience (Meaning, Orientation, Sensation, Affect & Image) with an

emphasis on positive psychology (individuality domain), (iii) embedding these trends

in the clients’ respective relational (community domain), socio-cultural and political

contexts (structurality domain), which leads to (iv) a sense of soulfulness and mystic

perception (mysticism domain). This is NeuroSystemics’ emptiness-centered quartet

orchestra concert.

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Teaching Overview

Therapeutic Principles

Experiential Practices

Individual Polyvagal Theory (Porges)

Psychobiological post-traumatic growth (Van der Kolk)

Positive psychology (Fredrickson, Hoskinson)

Intrapersonal systemics (Hoskinson)

Existentialism (Frankl, May, Yalom)

Contemplative sciences (Buddha, Kabbat-Zinn)

Humanistic psychology (Rogers, Maslow)

Personal (1:1) therapy

Compassion training

Attention & emotion

regulation

Embodiment & somatics

Positive reinforcement

Bio-behavioural connectivity

Relationality Social baseline theory (Cohen & Sbarra)

Interpersonal systemics (Bateson, von Foerster)

Group psychotherapy (Yalom)

Community Resiliency (Feldman)

Interpersonal therapy

Interpersonal regulation

Community-building

Social engagement

Systemic resilience

Structurality Theatre of the oppressed drama therapy (Boal)

Healing & transformative justice (Kandawalla)

Metamodernity (Freinacht)

Forum & image theatre

Appreciative inquiry

Generative somatics

Structural connectivity Mysticism

Collective unconscious (Yung)

Transpersonal psychology (Wilber)

Contemplative imaginal & emptiness (Burbea)

Eco-psycho-spirituality (Clinebell)

Eco-psychospiritual therapy

Ritual & ceremony

Cosmopoesis

Meta-connectivity

Please note that the training content will adapt to the CARE community’s unique

evolution. Therefore, the training depth and specificity may vary.

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Schedule

“Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances.”

- Maya Angelou, poet & civil rights activist

The training duration is 3 years. Each year of training is rhythmically organized in order

to best support the integration of insights and maturation, as follows:

Month

Training

Duration

Format

Quantity

Description

1

Residential training

9 days

In-person

1

Faculty-led training

2-5

Practice sessions

3 hours

In-person

or online

2

Peer-led practice meetings with mentors

2-5

Workshops

1.5 hours

1.5 hours

4

Faculty-led online Q&A and discussion sessions

6

Residential workshop

4 days

In-person

1

Faculty-led practice integration

7-12

Practice sessions

3 hours

In-person

or online

2

Peer-led practice meetings with mentors

7-12

Workshops

1.5 hours

Online

4

Faculty-led online Q&A and discussion sessions

1-12

Experiential therapy

1 hour

In-person

or online

6

Personal and/or relational therapy sessions

Varies

Optional Mindfulness

retreat

4-7 days

In-person

1

Faculty-led silent Mindfulness residential

retreat

• Total residential training days per year: 13 days (84 hours)

• Total training hours per year (excluding residential training): 24 hours

• The 3-year CARE training comprises of 3x the above schedule of activities

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Solidarity economy

“Give what you can, take what you need.”

The CARE training is offered in the spirit of solidarity. The Swiss Institute of

Mindfulness is committed to offer a model that supports a culture of economic

cohesion and structural regulation. In order to support diverse populations with a

range of means, SIMPLE offers 3 rates:

• Base rate: Reflects real costs to make the training viable.

• Supported rate: AVS, AI, students & unemployed and those with reduced

financial means (please shortly describe your current financial situation).

• Benefactor rate: Key to the solidarity economy, benefactors enable those

with less fortunate financial situations to attend. If you can offer more than

the suggested rate we suggest, then please do - we are very thankful for

your generosity.

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Who is this training for?

• Therapists, clinicians, psychologists, doctors, psychiatrists, social workers,

yoga teachers, health-practitioners and educators interested in a meta-

conceptual frame and methods to deepen optimize their practice.

• New or experienced meditation practitioners who would like to deepen their

practice with a bio-psychosocial frame on their internal experience.

• Community-lovers who would like to be a part of a participative, co-creative

and caring circle of friends and companions.

• Individuals who enjoy teachings about Mindfulness as a spiritual practice

and a deepening of embodiment through neurobiological understanding

and scientific insights.

• Professionals in the helping professions and networks of NGO’s searching

for empowerment in relation to the climate crisis, social and health issues.

• General population

The completion of this introductory workshop is required for registration on the CARE

training program, but there are no other pre-training requirements.

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Faculty

“I do not teach anyone - I only provide the environment in which they can learn.”

- Albert Einstein

Boaz B. Feldman, MSc, SEP, PgC

Boaz is an experienced psychologist, keynote speaker and integrative trainer

acting for worldwide positive change. He has worked with numerous international

organisations (UN, WHO, Doctors Without Borders) in a variety of humanitarian

projects (Afghanistan, Burkina Faso), low-income contexts (Eastern Europe) and

natural emergencies (Thailand). Trained in Mindfulness for over 15 years, Boaz first

ordained as a Buddhist Monk in Thailand and then studied MBSR-MBCT at the

University of Bangor. He has practiced in monasteries and meditation centers for

nearly 5 years and is dedicating most of 2020 for silent meditation practice. He is

the co-founder and CEO of the Swiss Institute of Mindfulness.

Heath Wilson, BA, SEP, OIX

Working over 25 years, Heath weaves his expertise as a psychologist, trauma

healer, rolf practitioner, dating/relationship coach and Somatic Experiencing. He

has a long-standing Vipassana meditation practice and has completed several 10-

day retreats. In Germany, Heath runs his 5aspects® center where Body, Sexuality,

Heart, Mind and Spirit can heal, grow and flourish. He leads Noble Man® and

Beyond Resilience® groups as well as trains women in self-defense. Heath leads

professional trainings for therapists in personality psychology based on the

psycho-spiritual model of the Enneagram. His aim is to transform people’s lives for

sustainable social and environmental change. He’s also a happy vegan for 33

years.

Prof. Irvin Yalom and Prof. Molyn Leszcz will participate as visiting faculty.

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Certification

Certificate Program

The CARE training program is a certifying program. Upon completion of all training

requirements over the 3-years, graduates will receive the SIMPLE NeuroSystemics

CARE Training certificate:

Item

Required hours

Residential Training

324

Peer-led sessions

36

Online workshops

36

Therapy

18

A NeuroSystemics career

All certified graduates will be registered on the SIMPLE online directory. Graduates

will also be kept informed of community practice sessions, gatherings and

teaching workshops, often with reduced fees or free of charge.

Swiss Institute of Mindfulness

The Swiss Institute of Mindfulness delivers high quality Mindfulness-based

interventions to empower groups and individuals towards positive personal and

socio-ecological change. As a not-for-profit organisation, SIMPLE redistributes a

share of its revenues to support populations and organisations in need. For more

information, please visit: www.simplemindfulness.org.