2022 Annual Conference: From Sensation to Relation - Applications of Somatic Experiencing in Group Psychotherapy

Dr. Carlos Canales, Psy.D., CGP, FAGPA, SEP

Event Description:

2022 Annual Conference: From Sensation to Relation - Applications of Somatic Experiencing in Group Psychotherapy

In this two-day training, we will explore how the inherent and restorative wisdom of the body informs relationships that occur in groups. The voice of the body is often subtle, unspoken, and particular to each individual. Prioritizing the body allows for wholesome, validating, and satisfying connections in group psychotherapy and in life. Conversely, ignoring the body leads to dissociative, intellectual, or partial communication and compromised living. From a Somatic Experiencing frame, our bodies signal sensations, affects, images, movements, and felt-senses; all experiences that authenticate group process.

Through didactic and experiential learning, this conference will advocate for more somatic awareness, tracking, and utilization in our group work. In doing so, we support regulated, congruent, and embodied interactions in group life. In addition, the potential effects of power differentials and racial/identity/cultural differences will be examined.

About the Presenter:

Dr. Carlos Canales, Psy.D., CGP, FAGPA, SEP™, is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified Group Psychotherapist, and Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner. He received his doctoral degree from Rosemead School of Psychology in 2007. He is fluent in Psychodynamic, Gestalt, Somatic Experiencing, and Attachment-focused psychotherapy. During his career, he has worked in multiple settings including university counseling centers, community mental health centers, and hospitals. He opened his private practice in 2011 and founded Vida Psychotherapy, an outpatient clinic in West Des Moines, Iowa. 

Dr. Canales is bilingual and bicultural. He specializes in working with affect, the body, and addressing systemic and relational dynamics. He is a clinical member of the Iowa Psychological Association (IPA) and a Fellow at the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA). 

Detailed Schedule*

Friday, 11/4/22

3:30-4:00 - Sign-in + Networking

4:00 - 5:25 - Welcome + Didactic

5:25 - 5:35 - Break

5:35 - 6:35 - Demonstration Group

6:35 - 6:55 - Discussion

6:55 - 7:00 - Day 2 Reminders + Sign-out

Saturday am, 11/5/22

8:30 - 9:00 - Sign-in + Breakfast + Networking

9:00 - 10:00 - Didactic

10:00 - 11:00 - Demonstration Group

11:00 - 11:15 - Discussion

11:15 - 11:25 - Break

11:25 - 12:15 - Didactic

12:15 - 1:30 - Lunch (Independent)

Saturday pm, 11/5/22

1:30 - 2:15 - Didactic

2:15 - 3:15 - Demonstration Group

3:15 - 3:30 - Discussion

3:30 - 3:40 - Break

3:40 - 4:40 - Didactic

4:40 - 5:00 - Concluding Remarks/Final Questions + Evaluations

*Schedule may shift

We are so pleased to be able to hold this year's AGPS conference in person again. As we transition to being back in-person after years apart, we look forward to spending the duration of the conference all together. Please note the experiential portion of the conference will be through participating in or observing the demonstration groups Carlos Canales will lead. Break-out process groups will not be part of the conference this year. 

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

9 CEUs available for social workers, LPCs, LMFTs, and psychologists.

Masks are optional and welcome. We will have masks and hand sanitizer available.

Beverages, afternoon cookies, and a light continental breakfast on Saturday morning will be served. Lunch on Saturday will be independent.

Parking is included. Conference attendees can disregard pay-for-parking signs posted in the Doubletree parking lot.