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Anthony Quintiliani, Ph.D, LADC

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August 22, 2019 By Admin

Using Creativity in Clinical Supervision

Using Creativity in Clinical Supervision

Effective clinical supervision is a combination of hearable direction about clinical practice, gentle-direct leadership, clinical “Know-How,” evidence-based skills, complex psychodynamics, and the willingness to work with others on their developmental processes. There are risks involved. I have provided clinical supervision and consultation to other clinicians for 43 years without a legal or ethical issue. I do not think you should allow your creative spirit to run wild; there are many very serious ethical and legal implications in supervision.  These are not benign; most states hold clinical supervisors 100% accountable for the actions of their supervisees, whether those actions were known and recommended by the supervisor or not.

Here we will look at the work of Leonardo DaVinci, the genius in art, science, engineering, and humanities. He saw art as science and science as art – most clinicians recognize these combinations in their own clinical work. I will simply note a list of documented attitudes, values and behaviors that DaVinci mastered. Here is the list. Courage may be needed to move off your comfort-path.

 

  1. Practice intense curiosity and deep awareness about the specific details of your work. As you do this apply a sense of wonder about your observations and  different possible perspectives you encounter. Multiple realities of perspectives do exist. There may not be one absolutely correct response.
  2. Observe! Observe! Observe! Notice how your supervisees do their work, and how their idiosyncratic personalities and attitudes influence that work and your supervision. Be certain to pay close attention to the facts of reality, but better to procrastinate a bit before making big decisions. Be sure you have all the correct facts. You may need to test your hypothesis.
  3. Use your personal imagination more, and visualize the situations that cause you the greatest concerns. Remember: Do No Harm! In some situations it may actually be ok to use day dreaming and helpful fantasy for new perspectives for problem solving.
  4. Be sure to keep written lists of all the things you need to do. Also, write in your own “supervision development journal” about new things you learn and lessons you wish you already knew. Review selected parts of that journal with your own supervisor.
  5. It pays to be a little obsessive when dealing with supervisees and the welfare of their clients. Your growth also depends upon being a bit obsessive with learning new clinical processes and evidence-based interventions. However, remain creative and highly responsible in your role. Document everything you do in your role.
  6. For more see Isaacson, W. (2017). Leonardo DaVinci…New York: Simon & Schuster.

Anthony R. Quintiliani, PhD., LADC  

From the Eleanor R. Liebman Center for Secular Meditation in Monkton, Vermont and the Home of The Monkton SanghaChiYinYang_EleanorRLiebmanCenter

Author of Mindful Happiness  

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New Edition of Mindful Happiness in Production…Coming soon!

Filed Under: ANTHONY QUINTILIANI, Clinical Practice, Clinical Supervison, Clinicians, Commentary, Featured, Learning, Training Tagged With: CLINICAL SUPERVISION, CLINICAL TRAINING, CREATIVITY, MINDFUL HAPPINESS, TRAINING

November 8, 2016 By Admin

Mindful Solidarity with Standing Rock Sioux Earth Protectors

Mindful Solidarity with Standing Rock Sioux Earth Protectors

The Standing Rock Sioux earth protectors are fighting earth destruction, environmental degradation, oil profiteering, and corporate greed.  Yes, I suppose finding huge reserves of crude helps many people become employed in the Dakotas. This is important. But other earth-wise activity (more solar for example) would be far more productive. As the First Nations People stand up for their water and spiritual rights, the powers of the state are encroaching on them with more and more force.  Reportedly, military equipment, riot police, and attack dogs are being used against mainly unarmed indigenous people praying and demonstrating to protect their rights to clean water and the spiritual sacredness of area burial grounds. Just like much earlier in our glorious history, Americans profiteers (with their official police and sometimes the army) may end up killing American Indians over land and dakota_access_pipelinewaterprotectorsits underground riches. Nothing new here! It is only a matter of time before shots are fired and people die!  Some say that the Dakota Access Oil Pipeline may have already violated earlier treaty obligations with The Sioux.  That has NEVER prevented the dominant white culture from acting for its own financial interests in the past – nothing new here. It may be environmental racism that The Army Corp of Engineers moved the pipeline route away from Bismarck (fear of possible water contamination for mainly white folks) so it now crosses land and water of First Nations People.  The marginalization and disrespect continue. Perhaps this is urban slum politics in the great rural areas of the Dakotas. Such fears regarding Bismarck simply emphasize that the technology being used is NOT completely safe and dependable.  This is the FALSE PROMISE OF TECHNOLOGY. Like so many of our technological advances (the internet for example), the primacy of safety and security have been over-shadowed by the desire for free flow of commerce and thus greater standingrocksioux_dakotaaccespipeline-mindfulhappinessprofits. The core issue is that such oil extraction and use continues to threaten mother earth’s health AND OUR FUTURE AS HUMANS. Oil profiteers, using private and public security forces with armored military vehicles and attach dogs, are determined to force the Sioux off the land – perhaps off their own land. Praise to Amy Goodman for reportedly filming brutal dog attacks and releasing the video into the internet network.  It is reported that many national unions (except the national AFL-CIO) have already stated their support for the Standing Rock Sioux in their fight against corporate greed (America’s #1 problem)  and cultural repression (also a #1 problem – “black lives matter”). Perhaps we will witness annihilation once again (and again and again).  Is this “the great American dream?” No!

If ever there was a time for OUR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT to correct a long-standing dakotaaccesspipelinewrong, this may be that time. President Obama, as the Commander and Chief (notice the word, “chief”), this is a good time to act on the behalf of oppressed people, even if it includes acting against corporate profiteering interests.

CHANGE THE ROUTE OF THE PIPELINE NOW, AND FIND WAYS TO REIMBURSE THE DAPL CORPORATE ENTITIES THAT STAND TO FACE GREAT FINANCIAL LOSSES IF THAT IS DONE.  CHANGE THE PIPELINE’S ROUTE BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED – THAT IS KILLED OVER OIL! That sounds familiar.

By Anthony R. Quintiliani, PhD., LADC

From the Eleanor R. Liebman Center for Secular Meditation in Monkton, VermontChiYinYang_EleanorRLiebmanCenter

Author of Mindful Happiness  

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New Edition of Mindful Happiness in Production…Coming soon!

 

Filed Under: ANTHONY QUINTILIANI, Commentary, Featured, First Nation, Spiritual Energy, Standing Rock Sioux, Thoughts & Opinions

May 25, 2016 By Admin

Human Beings Having Trouble BEING Human! Mindful Happiness Offers Some Help.

Human Beings Have Trouble BEING Human –

Some Sound Advice from Dr Anthony Quintiliani

The world today appears to be even more destructive than ever before in human history.  However, historians and violence researchers inform us that we as average persons are safer today than we were in the past.  Finger-tip access to world-wide media leads us into the conclusion that the whole world is falling apart. In some cases, it is!  Let’s look at some obvious problems, problems especially current in the United States.  In mindfulhappiness-world-fallung-apartmy opinion massive mindfulness and wise mind adoption and regular practice in our culture may be an answer to the turmoil we face. Here is a short list of OUR problems.

Problems We Face Are:

Rugged individualism, sometimes over-dependency, a separate self, material gain and greed, rising fear, rising intolerance, strong striving, learned helplessness, I/me/my entitlement, narcissism, conditioned limbic dominance, norms of defensiveness, the GREAT rush, craving and desiring, corruption of power and money, corporate influence in government, more smartphone less face-to-face communication, greed-based climate change, endless wars, Big Pharma-made opioid overdose crisis, increased white working class premature deaths, growing personal and national debt, earlier onset of serious mental illness in children and youth, earlier onset of suicide risk, weak self-esteem, earlier onset of medications use in children and youth, declining standard of living, racial and ethnic hatred, increased mental illness in college-aged populations, declining physical health status, an inner emptiness for many, loss of hope for many, more anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance misuse, rampant self-medication for short-term relief of our suffering, etc.

Need I go on?  Hopefully not. These are the more severe norms of American suffering.

Yet in spite of this cultural  mess we still produce vast achievements, great wealth, many goods, vast opportunities, strong caring, generosity, philanthropy, and HOPE for so, so many people who wish to come here to improve their lives.

Mindfulness and Wise Mind Traditions That Can Help Us –

Some Common Outcomes from REGULAR Practice of Mindfulness, Meditation, Yoga, Even Exercise Are:

Mindfulness awareness, improved attention, improved concentration, the ability to pause before reacting, emotional slowing, inner calm, IMG_2694compassion, self-compassion, executive strengthening, limbic weakening, mindful responding, kindness, impermanence, interbeing – the Golden Rule, dependent arising, no independent self, non-material authentic happiness, contentment, skillful reduction of suffering, ultimate emptiness (non-nihilistic), personal responsibility for doing good, etc. etc. I will not continue the list.  You get the picture.

It is highly unlikely that American leaders will guide us into becoming a nation of reasonable, mindful beings. However, we as individuals and groups may pursue life-changing opportunities through the regular practice of mindfulness, meditation, yoga, etc. Such practices and skills will improve our inner emotional lives and inner/outer peace. Yes, this is possible. If you doubt it, search the many, many research studies on the positive effects of mindfulness, meditation, yoga and exercise.  I dare you to try!!!!  Go ahead. You have nothing to lose.

For more information refer to Alper, S. A. (2016). Mindfulness Meditation in Psychotherapy…Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

By Anthony R. Quintiliani, PhD., LADC

From the Eleanor R. Liebman Center for Secular Meditation in Monkton, VermontChiYinYang_EleanorRLiebmanCenter

Author of Mindful Happiness  

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Filed Under: Activities, Benefits of Mindfulness, Commentary, Featured, Happiness, Meditation, MIndfulness, MIndfulness Activities, Thoughts & Opinions, Training Tagged With: MINDFUL ACTIVITIES, MINDFULNESS, PRACTICE, THE GOLDEN RULE, WISE MIND TRADITIONS

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Mindfulness On Loss, Grief and Mourning Mindfulness about personal loss, grief, and mourning may encompass many things.  Here I will focus on the process and what people can do to better handle their suffering and pain.  One way to look at it is through the lens of radical acceptance; another is via the reality of […]

Psychoanalytic Gems – Even More D. W. Winnicott has made significant clinical contributions to both building therapeutic alliance and maintaining a positive, helpful focus in psychotherapy. Below I have noted various approaches to use in your therapy.  Use of these “gems” requires considerable knowledge and skill by the therapist.  Here is the list: Respect the […]

Concentration, Contentment, and Loving Kindness I have written various entries on concentration meditations in prior posts.  Yes, concentration meditation is beyond pure mindfulness meditation.  Here I will present briefly two other forms of meditation that are quite intentional and also beyond mindfulness: contentment and loving kindness meditations. Let’s begin with intentional meditation of contentment. Contentment […]

Mindful Ways to  Help a person Change Unhelpful Behaviors Brought to you by The Eleanor R. Liebman Center for Secular Meditation in Monkton, Vermont Although behavior therapy and contingency management remain the most effective means to initiate changes in unhelpful behaviors, more generic approaches offer some promise.  See the steps noted below to change an […]

  How Most People Learn in Psychotherapy It is highly important that clients learn from their therapists.  In most cases this includes alternative ways of thinking, emoting, and behaving. So what can we learn from educational research on how people learn? Of course we all know it begins with a solid therapeutic alliance – the […]

America’s Opioid Problem-2020; A Brief Update Unfortunately, Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is alive and well in 2020. Today approximately 150 People are dying each day due to opioid overdose. The CDC noted that from 1999 to 2017 approximately 399,000 people died in the United States from Opioid overdose. Related to chronic pain, this is one […]

Vipassana Meditation -No-Self   Journey 3 In this third vipassana meditation I will guide you on a meditation dealing with the experience of no-self.  No-self is a highly advanced experience in Buddhist meditation and wisdom practices, and it is, perhaps, one of the most misunderstood concept and experience. Along with impermanence, dependent origination, typical reality […]

Mindful Movement as Part of Practice Mindful movement is an accepted part of regular practice. Such practices as walking meditation, more vigorous yoga asanas, qi gong, and tail chi are all part of this respected mindfulness tradition. Here I will introduce you to a very simple pre-meditation movement sequence.  Hope you practice it very soon. […]

Using Lectio Divina to Improve Your Self-Esteem LectioDivina is an ancient form of Christian (Benedictine) meditation. This meditative prayer is sometimes called “Sacred Seeing.” Lectio Divina follows specific steps as a process: lectio or reading a passage; Meditatio  or meditating on the passage or image; Oratio or praying (I add – in your own way); […]

Review:  Deepak Chopra’s Idea’s on ” The Future of God” Part 2 of 3 In part 2 of this 3-part series, I will discuss the role played by consciousness in various levels of spirituality.  In the beginning, there was the word.  The word is sometimes associated with pure consciousness, since without consciousness there cannot be […]

Meditation at the Deepest Levels In 2007 M. A. Singer’s The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself, opened up a whole new, deeper perspective on why consciousness or pure awareness is the root of self. Even in a Buddhist  “no-self” view, Singer’s inquiries leave us with a great deal to unravel.  Here are some reasons why […]

Henry David Thoreau  & Walking Meditation Henry David Thoreau is, perhaps, the most individualistic of the American Transcendentalists. He asked us to consider what we have learned that is useful as we travel our own “stream of life.” He cautions us not to regret when we die that we “had not lived.” He advised us to […]

Equanimity, Suffering, and Resilience It is said that equanimity (Pali – upekkha), the seventh factor of enlightenment and the tenth perfection, is an end-product of life-long personal practice in meditation and/or meditative yoga. It is about “walking the walk.” Some practitioners note that equanimity is the foundation for other helpful states of mind and body. […]

Trauma Informed Care – The Absolute Basics This post aims at providing a very basic introduction to Trauma Informed Care.  Advanced versions of this information are available from the author.  So what is Trauma Informed Care (hereafter TIC)?  Below I have listed rationales of need and core characteristics of TIC in organizations. Why We Need […]

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More Characteristics of Happiness – Happiness #4 Here I will continue my posts about the common characteristics of happiness.  Here is the list. Keep an Open Mind – Maintaining an open mind opens up doorways to interesting things in the world, some of which may help you to become happier. Also, open-mindedness reduces inner tension […]

Meditation for Health Improvement It is estimated that between 10 and 15 million Americans participate in some form of regular mindfulness or contemplative practices; secular-based meditation and yoga may be the most common of these practices.  Many others practice tai chi, qi gong, forest-based contemplation, Taoism, etc.  The US National Institute of Health has been […]

The Needs of Traumatized Children – Learning Activity As a means to hone in on your helping behaviors, complete this learning activity. NEEDS     List a Concrete Example for Each Unmet Need. Biological  _______________________________________________ Psychological   ____________________________________________ Social  __________________________________________________ Emotional  _______________________________________________ Educational  ______________________________________________ Spiritual  ________________________________________________ Attachment  ______________________________________________ What can YOU do to help meet […]

Help For Therapists: Working with Diversity Clinical interventions, especially strongly evidence-based interventions, impact clients via new skills and practices in mind-body clinical realities. No matter how good (or “good enough” ) a clinical intervention is it requires a highly positive, active therapeutic relationship. As ample research suggests, a strong and positive therapeutic relationship in therapy […]

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