Friday Evening Program: Do You Know What I Mean? Using Brain Science to Help Patients Change. Presented by: Daniel Jay Sonkin, Ph.D

Marin County CAMFT

Why is it so difficult for people to change patterns despite
their insight into the origins of their problems and a clear awareness of how their behaviors are problematic to begin with? Even when a skilled psychotherapist suggests healthy alternatives the patient continues to have difficulty incorporating these behavioral strategies on a daily basis. The answer to this question lies in understanding the brain, in particular the prefrontal cortex and it’s function in making meaning. How we incorporate innumerable sensory stimuli and create a coherent sense of ourselves in the world is key to understanding how difficult it can be to changing destructive behavior patterns.

This brief talk will explore how the brain makes meaning and what can be done to facilitate change in psychotherapy.

Daniel Jay Sonkin, Ph.D. is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in an independent practice in Sausalito since 1981. For the past twenty-three years he has been integrating attachment theory and neurobiology into his clinical work. In addition to his clinical experience he has testified as an expert witness in criminal, civil, death penalty and standard of care cases. He currently consults with the Salesians of Don Bosco (an order of the Catholic Church) on risk management and mental health issues. He is also the author of numerous articles and books on domestic violence and child abuse. He was an adjunct faculty member at Sonoma State University (1994-2004), a former member of the CAMFT Ethics Committee (1989-1998) and a former member of the CAMFT Board of Directors (1998-2000). He also served on Marin CAMFT board for many years. He is the recipient of the 1989 Clark Vincent Award for Literary Contribution to the field of Marriage and Family Therapy and the 2000 recipient of the Distinguished Clinical Member Award from CAMFT.

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Networking: Evening Program meetings include informal networking, announcements and refreshments for the first 20-30 minutes.

Date: Friday, June 21, 2013

Time: Networking is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Presentation begins at 6:00 pm and ends at 7:30 p.m.

Cost: $10 fee non-Marin CAMFT members.

Location: Corte Madera Town Center, Room 201 - 770 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera, CA (map)

Information: For more information about the Friday Evening Lecture Series and about joining the Committee, contact Committee Chair, Gary Gross at ggrossmft@yahoo.com