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May/June 2008 E-Bulletin

Alumni E-Bulletin #10  

Alumni E-Bulletin #10
May/June 2008  

Download @Phillips Winter 2008  

Features
Elda and Ron Soderquist on Equality!  

Events 
2008 Grad Picnic  |  An Evening of Wine 

News
Faculty and Alumni Publications  |  2008 Annual Conference and Alumni Luncheon  |  I am an Art Therapist |  Employment Opportunity  

Services
Free Depression Screenings at CalFam  |  No-Cost Professional Assistance for Organizations  

Get Involved
Alums Can Help to Recruit New Students  |  Alumni Association  |   Help MFT Students Acquire Their Hours |  Escrip for Phillips  |  Recycle Ink Cartridge and Cell Phones for Student Scholarships  |  Attention All Authors!     

Continuing Education
Course Listings    



Features  

Elda and Ron Soderquist on Equality!  

Elda Soderquist is one of the earliest Phillips graduates, having earned  her MFT degree in 1976, and her husband Ron Soderquist, PhD, is one of Phillips first faculty members, having taught alongside Clint Phillips, PhD and David Jansen, DMin. In their recent book, Equality! Secret of Lasting Love, they combine their years of successful collaboration as therapists and spouses to present an informative and practical guide to good marriage.    

Q. Why did you write Equality! Secret of Lasting Love?   

Elda & Ron: The idea for our book evolved when we had already shared a counseling practice for some 20 years and we had already celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary.  We did a lot of talking about what we had learned about this very complicated relationship called “marriage.”  The more we discussed our own marriage journey and the heartwarming satisfaction of helping couples grow together, the more we began to focus on writing a book to share our experience with others.  

Q. Can you discuss equality in the context of a marriage?  How does it work?  

Elda:  Neither person dominates the other. We respect each other’s abilities and appreciate each other’s contributions to common goals.  

Ron:  I agree with Elda. She has a knack for condensing complex ideas into just a few words.  As we began to focus on EQUALITY! as the theme for our self help book for couples, I often tested out our ideas on friends. For example, when I told a tennis buddy we were writing a book on equality in marriage his spontaneous response was: “Oh, so it’s a fiction and fantasy book, right?”    While his response caught me by surprise, I soon discovered most couples, both men and women, were not at all optimistic about creating a really equal, democratic marriage.  Every day in our offices we work with couples involved in a power struggle.  In EQUALITY! we dare to share our own evolution from power struggle to comfortable equality.       

Q. Can you give some examples of this evolution from power struggle to equality in your own marriage?  

E & R:  When you read EQUALITY! you will find many examples of our growth process, some difficult and even painful.  For example we write about Ron’s assumption, early in our marriage, that when we disagreed he would have the final vote!  As a young couple we had no idea how to negotiate a disagreement toward a win-win solution.  We had never learned those skills.  We had not seen them practiced at home.  Therefore, in EQUALITY! we very clearly lay out the ground rules for negotiation, which includes the skills of listening with an open mind.  

Q. How did the two of you meet?  

E:  After earning my RN at the University of Minnesota and working in hospitals, I wanted to go in a different direction.  More studies at the university resulted in an invitation to serve as Counselor to Lutheran Students at the University of Minnesota and Hamlin College. Part of my job was to organize educational experiences for students and fortunately, a Lutheran Seminary was located close to the university campus.  That’s where I found Ron who came to lead a seminar and that’s where he found me!  (Ron’s first profession was as Lutheran Parish Pastor)   

Q. What about the wonderful image of you two on the cover of your book? What were you doing right then?  

E & R: The book cover photo was from our June wedding day, 1951.  The photographer caught us just before we left the church in our very old Chevrolet with a big dent in one door!  

Q. How has your marriage influenced your clinical work, and vice versa?  

E & R: There has always been a kind of circle of learning, from our profession to our personal life and back again. Certainly there are professions where one can separate personal and professional life: A chemist or engineer can perform at levels of excellence regardless of the quality of the marriage.  We feel fortunate to be in a profession where we are constantly learning about couple dynamics. We brought those learnings home and applied them to our own marriage.  

We have learned and continue to learn so much from one another. Every day we are reminded, at a personal level, of the importance of courtesy, kindness, affection and support for one another.  It is natural, therefore, to bring that awareness to the couples who sit before us.  

Q. How did you actually write the book?  Did you get along while you were writing it?  

E & R: While writing the book was a unique experience for us, we did have a host of related experiences that were helpful.  We had led many weekend retreats for couples and we taught marriage enrichment courses here in the states. By the time we sat down to write EQUALITY! we had already lectured together in Australia, Russia and England.  We feel fortunate to have shared so many adventures together, so our writing was just another shared adventure.  

R: You ask about our writing method.  We usually each wrote a chapter or part of a chapter. Then we read and edited each other’s work.  I feel fortunate that Elda’s first degree was in English. So she has some special writing and editing skills, always very helpful to me.  

Q. Do you have any advice for young wives and husbands out there?  

E & R: If, as a young couple, you are having some problems, do two things:  Relax and tell yourself first, “This is normal to have growing pains in a young marriage.”    Secondly, if the problems persist take action.  Perhaps EQUALITY! will be all you need to keep growing as a couple.  It’s a place to start.   If you need more than a book, find a competent therapist.   

Equality! Secret of Lasting Love is available through the Phillips Student Store (818.386.5674).    


Phillips Students Boosted by Scholarships  
Organizational Consulting student Geovanna Henao is passionate about using systems theory to help small business owners manage their busy and sometimes chaotic environments. Coming from a family with three students in school, including her mother, Geo applied for the 2006-2007 Phillips Award for Excellence in hopes of easing the expenses of school.  

“It meant a lot to me to accept the Phillips Award for Academic Excellence as an Organizational Consulting student, along with Adina McGarr (CPDP) and Marissa Raderman (MFT/AT). Knowing that the Scholarship Committee members had a tough choice made me proud to be one of the students they selected for this award. Answering the application questions, you own what you’re writing and you become closer to Phillips. It created a bond with the Institute that will last a long time.”  

Phillips students of today will graduate to serve the mental health and organizational needs of the Southern California of tomorrow, but they need our help.    

Each year, three students are honored for their academic excellence with scholarships, and many more receive need-based funding. This funding is primarily dependent on the generosity of our community.  

Our students are dedicated to using their professional degrees to help people. We are honoring our students’ ongoing commitment to changing the world by asking the community for renewed support for the President’s Scholarship Fund.  

We hope you’ll join us in our commitment by making a gift to the Scholarship Fund. Mailed appeal letters were sent out in early May.  Please call Cynthia Carr, the Director of Advancement, at 818.654.1732 for more information.    


Events  

2008 Graduation Picnic, June 1  
Come meet our newest grads on Sunday, June 1st, from 1-5 pm at Woodley Park at our first ever Grad Picnic.  Catch up with old friends and former instructors and make new friends.  Tickets for food and fun are free for new grads, $15 for everyone else.  Children under 12 are free.  Please contact Francine Roberts at 818.654.1753 or froberts@pgi.edu for more information.    

An Evening of Wine: Phillips/CalFam recognized by Encino Chamber of Commerce  
Please join us on Tuesday, June 10th, from 5:30 – 9:00 pm as the Encino Chamber of Commerce recognizes Phillips Graduate Institute along with two other non-profits at An Evening of Wine.  This event will be held at the Hilton Woodland Hills.  Proceeds will benefit Phillips as well as Ability First and Parkinson’s Resource Organization.  We hope you’ll support Phillips by joining us for a fabulous evening of fine wines from Napa Valley, Sonoma and around the world and enjoy hors d’oeuvres, music and a silent auction.   

Sponsorships are available as follows:  
Presenting Sponsorship $1,000 includes:        
Two reserved tables (26 guests), full page ad in the program booklet and in the Envoy newsletter  

Gold sponsorship $500 includes:                    
One reserved table (8 guests), ½ page ad in the program booklet and in the envoy newsletter  

Table Sponsorship $250 includes:                   
Two tickets, company name displayed at the wine tasting table, your add in program booklet and in the Envoy newsletter  

Appetizer Sponsorship $150 includes:
Name at appetizer table, in the program booklet and in the Envoy newsletter  

Tickets are $50 per person, $85 for two tickets, $55 per person at the door  

RSVP by May 31, 2008.  For more information about the event or to RSVP, call Francine Roberts at 818.654.1753.  

You can also help Phillips by donating a silent auction item for this event.  Please contact Cynthia Carr at 818.654.1732 or ccarr@pgi.edu.     


News

Faculty and Alumni Publications

GAINS Newsletter
MFT/Art Therapy Faculty and Academic Chair Noah Hass-Cohen, CPDP Faculty Joan Rosenberg and Alumna Donna Emmanuel (MFT 1991) all have published in The Global Association for Interpersonal Neurobiology Studies (GAINS) Newsletter during the last year.  

Cultural Arts in Action: Musings on Empathy
In her most recent article, Noah Hass-Cohen, MA ATR-BC, LMFT, explored how ritualistic art objects in a museum setting can stimulate nonverbal neurological responses.  Look for “Cultural Arts in Action: Musings on Empathy” in Connection & Reflection, The GAINS Quarterly, Summer 2007.  

How Do We Change?
Joan I. Rosenberg, PhD, published “How Do We Change?” a reflection on how thought processes can affect the brain and, potentially, create life change in Connection & Reflection, The GAINS Quarterly, Winter 2007.  Rosenberg also serves on the Board of Directors of GAINS (The Global Association for Interpersonal Neurobiology Studies).  

Following the Body’s Wisdom
Alumna Donna Emmanuel, MA, LMFT (MFT 1991) published “Following the Body’s Wisdom,” an exploration of the use of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy with one of her clients.  Look for this article in Connection & Reflection, The GAINS Quarterly, Autumn 2007.

2008 Annual Conference and Alumni Luncheon  
This year’s Annual Conference, which was held April 1-6, was a big success and provided over 25 informative workshops.  Our keynote speaker, Dr. Jody Kussin, gave a wonderful presentation for professionals and students in the mental health fields on how to work with parents to enhance their sense of self and enhance child-parent relations.  Those who attended her presentation said they found it to be enlightening.   

The Phillips Alumni Association hosted this year’s Alumni Luncheon on Saturday, April 5th.  It was a wonderful event attended by Phillips President Lisa Porché-Burke, Ph.D., Phillips faculty, alumni, current students and staff.  Academic Excellence Scholarships were presented to Dale Hudson, Arlette Davis and Jan Rosser, who each said a few words.  In addition, this year’s Shirley Riley Memorial Scholarship award recipient, Ladan Safvati, was recognized.  Two lucky guests each had winning raffle tickets to attend An Evening of Wine, a special event that will recognize Phillips/CalFam along with two other non-profits.  Those in attendance enjoyed the delicious lunch and had an opportunity to network.    

I am an Art Therapist  
The “I am an Art Therapist” exhibit that has been on display in our Gallery Hallway has been extremely well received.  All artwork has been purchased, and sales from the exhibit support the Shirley Riley Memorial Fund, which sends an art therapy student to the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference.  Thanks to the talented art therapists who donated their creations, and much gratitude as well to those who purchased the artwork.    

Employment Opportunity  
Training and development specialist   The National Notary Association (NNA) is the nationally and internationally recognized professional association for America’s 4.8 million Notaries Public. We offer unparalleled education programs, professional tools and services for Notaries and their employers. This position is responsible for the planning, organizing and implementation of functionally specific training delivery programs for NNA Members and training of NNA employees on Notarial law.   For more information, email gmartinez@nationalnotary.org    


Services  

Free Depression Screenings at CalFam  
She feels sad. He seems angry. She lost her appetite.  He can’t sleep. What do they have in common? Depression.  

An estimated 19 million Americans consistently feel “down in the dumps,” “bummed” or cranky and are suffering from depression, a serious medical illness.  The symptoms of depression may include:

  • Persistent sad, anxious, or ">
  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed
  • Change in appetite (eating too much or not enough)
  • Difficulty sleeping (DSM) 
      To help residents of the San Fernando Valley identify this important condition, the California Family Counseling Center (CalFam) will be offering free depression screenings throughout the month of May, which is Mental Health Month. 

    “Providing these screenings is an important way to support the community. Many people who feel chronically irritable or sad may actually be clinically depressed. Once we identify the problem, we may be able to help them feel better,” explained Sandy Terranova, Executive Director of CalFam.  

    People are often not aware that men and women experience depression differently. Women suffering depression tend to slow down, feel sad, avoid conflict, self-blame and use food to self-medicate. Depressed men are more likely to experience irritability, loss of interest in work or hobbies, and sleep disturbances. Some men may throw themselves into their work or other activities as a result of depression.  

    Depression can show itself physically as well, causing unexplained aches, pains, fatigue and other physical problems, such as chronic difficulties with digestion. The most serious risk of depression is suicide. Persons who talk about suicide, or think about it should seek help from a doctor or therapist immediately.  

    Depression also affects children and teens. “Teens who seem irritable or angry are often depressed,” notes Terranova. “It’s important for parents to know the symptoms so they can help their children before more serious complications arise, and testing can help them do that.”  

    The good news is that there are a variety of ways to treat depression, so if you think you or a loved one may be suffering from this important illness, come to CalFam for a free depression screening from May 1-30. Screenings take 20-30 minutes. Please call (818) 386-5615 to make a confidential, private appointment.  

    CalFam is a public service of Phillips Graduate Institute. CalFam provides affordable mental health services that are culturally sensitive and available in several different languages. Phillips is a nonprofit, fully accredited educational and research center. For more information, see www.pgi.edu .  

    Clinical information for this article comes from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) website (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/.shtml) and the DSM IV-TR.    


    No-Cost Professional Assistance for Organizations
    Phillips Organizational Consulting doctoral students are looking for internships at local businesses and nonprofits to complete professional development hours.  If you know of a business or organization that could use help with marketing, branding, mission development, database managements, etc., please call Michelle Browning at 818.654.1734.    


    Get Involved  

    Alums Can Help to Recruit New Students
    Did you know that one of the most effective ways to recruit students is to encourage them to chat with alumni? It seems that the fire and dedication so many alumni bring is a very inspirational experience for prospective students.  

    At a time when institutional competition is extremely intense, this kind of support can really help people make good decisions about their future career paths so that they will be very well-informed about the benefits of a Phillips education. Only an alum knows what this benefit really is. Only an alum can give the inside view of Phillips to a prospective student.  

    We are looking for alumni who could attend an information reception or allow a prospective student or two to call them and ask questions about the program s/he graduated from.  

    If you or an alumni friend would be able to make time to do this for Phillips, please call Belinda Lombardo at 818.386.5653.    

    Alumni Association
    The Alumni Association is a networking and service organization made up of graduates of Phillips and former CalFam trainees dedicated to serving the community. Simply joining the Alumni Association is a wonderful way to support Phillips as it continues its mission of education, training and community service. Benefits also include:  

    • Free or discounted admission to Alumni Association events
    • Up to 6 hours of free Spring workshops (some restrictions apply)
    • Phillips Library membership and full access ($100 value)
    • Inclusion in the Alumni Referral Directory - in development
    • Discounted Continuing Education classes and workshops
    • 10% discount at the Phillips Student Store 

    Helping MFT Students Acquire Required Therapeutic Hours
    Providing MFT students with therapy on a sliding scale is a great way to give back to Phillips students and to the mental health profession.  The MA in Psychology program requires students to experience their own personal therapy prior to graduation.  Please email Lisa Wolfe, MFT Clinical Training Coordinator, at lwolfe@pgi.edu to be added to the Psychotherapist Directory.    

    Escrip
    Make the Money You Spend Work Harder Than Ever Before
    You can earn money for student scholarships by shopping at your favorite local businesses, such as Sahara Restaurant, Bristol Farms, Howe’s, Eddie Bauer, Macy’s and Baja Fresh. Just register your credit and debit cards with eScrip. These and other companies will reward your customer loyalty by automatically contributing a percentage of your purchase to Phillips Graduate Institute for student scholarships.  

    Register now at www.eScrip.com and get two coupons for free tacos from Baja Fresh.  
    For more information, download the flyer.   **Special thanks to Baja Fresh for their support of Phillips Graduate Institute**