Taking place May 9 at Adler University in Chicago. Renowned Adlerian Terry Kottman, Ph.D., to keynote. Free for students, staff, and faculty; discounted fee for alums and Adler University partners.
From fairy tales and dance to music and improv, this year, the annual Adler University Adlerian Summit will focus on unlocking what Alfred Adler once called the “third force of psychology”: an individual’s creative power.
Dr. Kottman
Hosted by the University’s Center for Adlerian Practice and Scholarship (CAPS), the event will take place on May 9 from 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m. CDT on Adler’s Chicago campus. Registration is required and virtual options are available. Lunch is provided and attendees may also earn continuing education credits.
This year’s summit, centered around the theme “The Human, the Artist, the Builder: Creating a Thriving Humanity — One Step, One Stroke, One Brick at a Time,” will feature four interactive sessions and the 4th Annual Belongingness Lecture by Terry Kottman, Ph.D. In her keynote, “Creative Self-Care for All of Us,” Dr. Kottman will discuss the essential practice of self-care for mental health professionals, emphasizing that effective care for others starts with taking care of oneself.
“Mental health professionals and educators play a critical role in helping individuals unlock their creative power and move toward a sense of wholeness,” said CAPS Director Marina Bluvshtein, Ph.D.
Dr. Bitter
“The creative power of the self is not only a cornerstone of human development but also essential to fostering a healthy humanity,” she added. “This year’s Summit centers on this core Adlerian belief, offering students, faculty, staff, and fellow Adlerians the opportunity to engage with leading voices in the field and connect with professionals who share a passion for building a thriving humanity through creativity — one idea, one expression, one action at a time.
The Summit’s interactive sessions are designed to explore movement, creativity, and imagination in Adlerian practice. These breakout workshops are:
Stories, Fairy Tales, and Art: Uses of Imagination in Adlerian Therapy
James Bitter, Ed.D.
Adlerians have long used the creative arts, storytelling, interpretations of memories and stories heard, and expressions of life in the arts to gain a holistic understanding of the individual and point that same individual toward a more functional, preferred life. This workshop asks participants to engage in activities — including stories, fairy tales, or art — that can be used with clients to stimulate their imagination in the service of happiness, growth, and desired outcomes.
Dr. Saeedi
Creating Movement Through the Past, Present, and Future
Sara Saeedi, Psy.D.
This session will focus on Adlerian therapy through creative movement — both literal and metaphorical. Through engaging participation, the audients will learn about psychodrama and its use in therapy, specifically through family constellations and sculpting. By exploring the past (family reverence), present (sculpting), and future (therapeutic implications), this session will highlight how these techniques can foster self-awareness and empower clients to create meaningful change in their lives.
Using Drumming to Spark Creativity, Community, and Connection
Jon Sperry, Ph.D.
A recent meta-analysis of 400 studies found that music can positively influence physical and mental health outcomes. Listening to music and performing music can also help increase an individual’s sense of belonging and connection to others. This session will highlight the power of music and drumming. Dr. Sperry will engage participants in rhythm and group drumming activities that will spark creativity and foster community and connection.
Dr. Sperry
Using Improv in Counseling
Terry Kottman, Ph.D.
Improv can be a valuable tool for counselors, helping them work with their clients to increase intuitional thinking, playfulness, awareness of emotions, relaxation, presence, and willingness to take appropriate interpersonal risks. In this workshop, Dr. Kottman will share three improv games practioners can use in therapy sessions, explain why “use of self” is important in therapy, demonstrate the “yes, and” technique, and list three rules of improv that can be applied in therapy sessions.
The Summit will include a greeting by Adler University President Lisa Coleman, Ph.D., the announcement of the Dr. Richard Watts Student Adlerian Research Award, and the unveiling of unique and donated Adlerian art. It will also feature an art show by Adler students in the art therapy program, networking opportunities, raffles, book sales, and giveaways.
Adler University is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE hours are also available for Illinois marriage and family therapists and registered social workers.