Addiction Research and Therapy

Biography

Biography: Natacha Rodrigues

Abstract

My particular interest lies in working with the dilemmas presented by Being-in-the-World-with-Others. How can we negotiate living authentically as individuals alongside other people who are attempting the same task from their own perspective? This question encompasses an issue of identity, addictions and individual’s spiritual connection/disconnection. The workshop will start by giving an overview on existential approach that is first and foremost philosophical. It is concerned with the understanding of people’s position in the world and with the clarification of what it means to them to be alive. This means facing up to ultimate concerns, such as death, guilt, freedom, isolation, meaninglessness, etc. At the time of crises in addictions old patterns need to be revised in order to initiate changes for better. This theme will be discussed from an Existential approach and transpersonal psychology theories; theories that focus on the spiritual dimension and legitimate the development of higher states of consciousness as being part of addiction experiences and as being exceptionally healthy or as representing the epitome of human potential as a tool when in recovery. The approaches are especially suitable for people who feel alienated from the expectations of society or for those seeking to clarify their personal ideology. I will outline the goals of existential therapy and Transpersonal Psychology; Major therapeutic strategies and techniques; The change process in therapy; The task of the Existential therapist/ Transpersonal Psychologist; Themes to explore; Limitations of the approaches. The workshop will end with a brief evaluation of our disconnected culture from a spiritual dimension in treatments.