The Scream, 1893 by Edvard Munch
SURVIVORS OF PERSONALITY DISORDERED PARENTS
The scars you can’t see are the hardest to heal. ~ Astrid Alauda
Personality Disordered parents lack empathy, are egomaniacal, manipulative and fixated on status and personae. PD parents employ myriad strategies to maintain power and control. Incapable of empathy and thus indifferent to another's pain, the PD parent is intolerant of any lapses in attention and impervious to truth and reason. The disordered parent perpetrates smear campaigns and vilifies and scapegoats, gaslights, willfully manipulates and physically, emotionally and psychologically abuses with no moral compunction. All this occurs while the abuser skillfully plays the victim.
With shared identification and support healing and insight can ensue, which can result in resolution and empowerment.
A minimum of a six-month commitment is required to participate in this group.
An initial 30-minute free consultation is a necessary pre-requisite to determine group readiness.
Group is $70/session.
For registration and details call Rev. Sheri Heller, LCSW 212-594-9801 or email at sheri@sheritherapist.com
The scars you can’t see are the hardest to heal. ~ Astrid Alauda
Personality Disordered parents lack empathy, are egomaniacal, manipulative and fixated on status and personae. PD parents employ myriad strategies to maintain power and control. Incapable of empathy and thus indifferent to another's pain, the PD parent is intolerant of any lapses in attention and impervious to truth and reason. The disordered parent perpetrates smear campaigns and vilifies and scapegoats, gaslights, willfully manipulates and physically, emotionally and psychologically abuses with no moral compunction. All this occurs while the abuser skillfully plays the victim.
With shared identification and support healing and insight can ensue, which can result in resolution and empowerment.
A minimum of a six-month commitment is required to participate in this group.
An initial 30-minute free consultation is a necessary pre-requisite to determine group readiness.
Group is $70/session.
For registration and details call Rev. Sheri Heller, LCSW 212-594-9801 or email at sheri@sheritherapist.com
THERAPEUTIC CREATIVE WRITING
YOU THINK YOUR PAIN AND YOUR HEARTBREAK ARE UNPRECEDENTED IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, BUT THEN YOU READ. IT WAS BOOKS THAT TAUGHT ME THAT THE THINGS THAT TORMENTED ME MOST WERE THE VERY THINGS THAT CONNECTED ME WITH ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ALIVE, OR WHO HAD EVER BEEN ALIVE. ― JAMES BALDWIN
As a trauma therapist I give priority to cultivating life-affirming creative and spiritual pursuits that inform one's sense of pride and purpose, so as to encourage thriving. Accordingly, in Sept. 2008 when I facilitated a full day therapeutic workshop for women with complex trauma, I incorporated writing, dance, meditation, improvisation, and ritual. Thereafter, I facilitated several more workshops in which fairytale became a vehicle for infusing our personal stories with mythical imagery. This undertaking led to the development of a full-length play Let the Phoenix Rise! Ongoing comprehensive Phoenix Project creative arts workshops resulted in the workshop women (dubbed The Atomic Butterflies) performing the narratives and prose written in the workshop process as an opening act for LTPR! at the Kraine Theater in NYC.
Throughout my 30 years in the public and private sectors I’ve discovered that trauma survivors early attunment to fairy tales, comic books, and myths speaks of the metaphorical symbolism evident in the trials of heroes and heroines, who like the reader, were challenged to persevere and triumph over the harsh reality of brutal malevolence and inconceivable circumstance. Through immersion in a fictional world, identification, catharsis and insight can occur, allowing the inspired writer and reader to reframe her own situation, and experience emotional release, clarity and possibly even behavioral shifts. Writing and reading provides us with the solace of knowing our stories are shared through characters that champion our cause. Seeing the ailments and conditions one grapples with in elaborate descriptive detail and form, further reminds us what James Baldwin conveys in his beautiful quote, that even in our brokenness we are more alike, than we are different.
This twice/month 90-minute therapeutic creative writing group will meet at my midtown office in Manhattan on Sunday. The group will be $60 and will be comprised of 4-7 people. I will be offering gratis consultations for those interested in the group to evaluate potential participants.
YOU THINK YOUR PAIN AND YOUR HEARTBREAK ARE UNPRECEDENTED IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, BUT THEN YOU READ. IT WAS BOOKS THAT TAUGHT ME THAT THE THINGS THAT TORMENTED ME MOST WERE THE VERY THINGS THAT CONNECTED ME WITH ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ALIVE, OR WHO HAD EVER BEEN ALIVE. ― JAMES BALDWIN
As a trauma therapist I give priority to cultivating life-affirming creative and spiritual pursuits that inform one's sense of pride and purpose, so as to encourage thriving. Accordingly, in Sept. 2008 when I facilitated a full day therapeutic workshop for women with complex trauma, I incorporated writing, dance, meditation, improvisation, and ritual. Thereafter, I facilitated several more workshops in which fairytale became a vehicle for infusing our personal stories with mythical imagery. This undertaking led to the development of a full-length play Let the Phoenix Rise! Ongoing comprehensive Phoenix Project creative arts workshops resulted in the workshop women (dubbed The Atomic Butterflies) performing the narratives and prose written in the workshop process as an opening act for LTPR! at the Kraine Theater in NYC.
Throughout my 30 years in the public and private sectors I’ve discovered that trauma survivors early attunment to fairy tales, comic books, and myths speaks of the metaphorical symbolism evident in the trials of heroes and heroines, who like the reader, were challenged to persevere and triumph over the harsh reality of brutal malevolence and inconceivable circumstance. Through immersion in a fictional world, identification, catharsis and insight can occur, allowing the inspired writer and reader to reframe her own situation, and experience emotional release, clarity and possibly even behavioral shifts. Writing and reading provides us with the solace of knowing our stories are shared through characters that champion our cause. Seeing the ailments and conditions one grapples with in elaborate descriptive detail and form, further reminds us what James Baldwin conveys in his beautiful quote, that even in our brokenness we are more alike, than we are different.
This twice/month 90-minute therapeutic creative writing group will meet at my midtown office in Manhattan on Sunday. The group will be $60 and will be comprised of 4-7 people. I will be offering gratis consultations for those interested in the group to evaluate potential participants.
Painting by Alex Grey
PSYCHODYNAMIC SUPPORT FOR ARTISTS
THE ONLY PEOPLE I WOULD CARE TO BE WITH NOW ARE ARTISTS AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUFFERED: THOSE WHO KNOW WHAT BEAUTY IS, AND THOSE WHO KNOW WHAT SORROW IS: NOBODY ELSE INTERESTS ME. — OSCAR WILDE (DE PROFUNDIS )
The gift of creativity emerges from our choosing to express our deepest selves. Yet if one is inadequately cared for, rejected and inconsistently supported, it is likely there are narcissistic wounds that hinder one from fully owning and manifesting aspirations. Consequentially, these oppressive messages and shame based beliefs and fears can stymie creative expression. The inner critical voice of shame may incessantly remind one of the oppressive stultifying messages internalized throughout the years. It sends the message that you don’t have the right to be who you are, and accordingly, you don‘t have the right to express yourself creatively and authentically.
As a psychotherapist and a creator of therapeutic theatre designed to inspire and encourage healing for at-risk underserved women and girls plagued by histories of childhood trauma, neglect, and abuse, I have a personal interest in understanding the abuse artists are frequently subjected to, the traumatic wounds awakened, and the process of recovery.
Through mutual support and empathy artists from diverse mediums will encourage each other to know that their unique creative gifts matter; that they matter. Through dynamic processing of core injuries, which hinder creative expression and success, conscious reparative solutions that allow new healthier ways of being and creating can occur.
All participants must be interviewed by Rev. Heller prior to entry into group.
For registration and details call Rev. Sheri Heller, LCSW 212-594-9801 or email at sheri@sheritherapist.com
Rev. Heller's article on Reclaiming Creativity
Rev. Heller's article on The Wounded Artist
THE ONLY PEOPLE I WOULD CARE TO BE WITH NOW ARE ARTISTS AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUFFERED: THOSE WHO KNOW WHAT BEAUTY IS, AND THOSE WHO KNOW WHAT SORROW IS: NOBODY ELSE INTERESTS ME. — OSCAR WILDE (DE PROFUNDIS )
The gift of creativity emerges from our choosing to express our deepest selves. Yet if one is inadequately cared for, rejected and inconsistently supported, it is likely there are narcissistic wounds that hinder one from fully owning and manifesting aspirations. Consequentially, these oppressive messages and shame based beliefs and fears can stymie creative expression. The inner critical voice of shame may incessantly remind one of the oppressive stultifying messages internalized throughout the years. It sends the message that you don’t have the right to be who you are, and accordingly, you don‘t have the right to express yourself creatively and authentically.
As a psychotherapist and a creator of therapeutic theatre designed to inspire and encourage healing for at-risk underserved women and girls plagued by histories of childhood trauma, neglect, and abuse, I have a personal interest in understanding the abuse artists are frequently subjected to, the traumatic wounds awakened, and the process of recovery.
Through mutual support and empathy artists from diverse mediums will encourage each other to know that their unique creative gifts matter; that they matter. Through dynamic processing of core injuries, which hinder creative expression and success, conscious reparative solutions that allow new healthier ways of being and creating can occur.
All participants must be interviewed by Rev. Heller prior to entry into group.
For registration and details call Rev. Sheri Heller, LCSW 212-594-9801 or email at sheri@sheritherapist.com
Rev. Heller's article on Reclaiming Creativity
Rev. Heller's article on The Wounded Artist
PSYCHODYNAMIC GROUP THERAPY
Human connection is an essential part of life. Love awakens the soul. Hence, human connectivity deepens our capacity for compassion and allows us to transcend our loneliness, value ourselves and paradoxically move beyond the individual self so as discover intrinsic meaning inclusive of all creation. As the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. conveyed in his 1967 Christmas Sermon on Peace,
Human connection is an essential part of life. Love awakens the soul. Hence, human connectivity deepens our capacity for compassion and allows us to transcend our loneliness, value ourselves and paradoxically move beyond the individual self so as discover intrinsic meaning inclusive of all creation. As the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. conveyed in his 1967 Christmas Sermon on Peace,
"IT REALLY BOILS DOWN TO THIS: THAT ALL LIFE IS INTERRELATED. WE ARE ALL CAUGHT IN AN INESCAPABLE NETWORK OF MUTUALITY, TIED TOGETHER INTO A SINGLE GARMENT OF DESTINY. WHATEVER AFFECTS ONE DIRECTLY, AFFECTS ALL INDIRECTLY. WE ARE MADE TO LIVE TOGETHER BECAUSE OF THE INTERRELATED STRUCTURE OF REALITY."
For those who were born into familial relationships fraught with chaos, abuse, exploitation, neglect, betrayal, and disconnection the fundamental need for love and attachment becomes an agonizing pursuit. Without an inspired frame of reference the birthright to give and receive love becomes corrupted.
Through dynamic group therapy individuals can effectively process the ways in which relational trauma has contributed to the disowning of basic needs and has silenced one’s authentic self. Within the safe context of a dynamic therapy group ingrained interpersonal struggles are brought into conscious awareness for the purpose of shedding dysfunctional patterns and adopting new healthier ways of being. Using this microcosm of the interpersonal world as a vehicle for healing core attachment injuries and cultivating conscious intimacy is the principle foundation of dynamic group therapy.
This Psychodynamic Therapy Group requires a 6 month commitment. All participants must be actively engaged in therapy with either Rev. Heller, or with another seasoned therapist for a minimum of one year. Full sustained remission from all addictive disorders is required.
For registration and details call Rev. Sheri Heller, LCSW 212-594-9801
Rev. Heller's article Loneliness Rooted in Relational Trauma
Through dynamic group therapy individuals can effectively process the ways in which relational trauma has contributed to the disowning of basic needs and has silenced one’s authentic self. Within the safe context of a dynamic therapy group ingrained interpersonal struggles are brought into conscious awareness for the purpose of shedding dysfunctional patterns and adopting new healthier ways of being. Using this microcosm of the interpersonal world as a vehicle for healing core attachment injuries and cultivating conscious intimacy is the principle foundation of dynamic group therapy.
This Psychodynamic Therapy Group requires a 6 month commitment. All participants must be actively engaged in therapy with either Rev. Heller, or with another seasoned therapist for a minimum of one year. Full sustained remission from all addictive disorders is required.
For registration and details call Rev. Sheri Heller, LCSW 212-594-9801
Rev. Heller's article Loneliness Rooted in Relational Trauma
Photo by Sheri Heller
WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
WHEN I DARE TO BE POWERFUL -- TO USE MY STRENGTH IN THE SERVICE OF MY VISION -- THEN IT BECOMES LESS AND LESS IMPORTANT WHETHER I AM AFRAID." ~ AUDRE LORDE
A pervasive theme and concern often occurs in my work with female clients, which pertains to the question; What hinders a woman in her quest to fulfill her intrinsic nature? Clearly, our relationship to our female power is influenced by many personal and cultural elements. Sexism, oppression, the media, and historical narratives with omit women's contributions, negatively impact a woman's ability to realize her callings. Embracing one's boldness and authority as a women can be fraught with societal subterfuge and conflict. Yet courageous women challenge oppression, be it internal or external in nature. A collective of women dedicated to supporting the sacredness of full actualization and vitality can offer the necessary support and inspiration so that myriad forms of oppression can be consciously managed, and accordingly power can be freed up and given creative expression. There is great power in female solidarity. This 90 minute bi-monthly group is designed to afford female solidarity and empowerment for women who are committed to manifesting personal potentials and life-affirming visions.
Rev. Heller's article on "Resurrecting the Great Mother"
Rev. Heller's article "To Nurture & Protect"
WHEN I DARE TO BE POWERFUL -- TO USE MY STRENGTH IN THE SERVICE OF MY VISION -- THEN IT BECOMES LESS AND LESS IMPORTANT WHETHER I AM AFRAID." ~ AUDRE LORDE
A pervasive theme and concern often occurs in my work with female clients, which pertains to the question; What hinders a woman in her quest to fulfill her intrinsic nature? Clearly, our relationship to our female power is influenced by many personal and cultural elements. Sexism, oppression, the media, and historical narratives with omit women's contributions, negatively impact a woman's ability to realize her callings. Embracing one's boldness and authority as a women can be fraught with societal subterfuge and conflict. Yet courageous women challenge oppression, be it internal or external in nature. A collective of women dedicated to supporting the sacredness of full actualization and vitality can offer the necessary support and inspiration so that myriad forms of oppression can be consciously managed, and accordingly power can be freed up and given creative expression. There is great power in female solidarity. This 90 minute bi-monthly group is designed to afford female solidarity and empowerment for women who are committed to manifesting personal potentials and life-affirming visions.
Rev. Heller's article on "Resurrecting the Great Mother"
Rev. Heller's article "To Nurture & Protect"
Painting by Jasper Latane
HEALING CHILDHOOD TRAUMA
WE CANNOT LIVE IN A WORLD THAT IS NOT OUR OWN, IN A WORLD THAT IS INTERPRETED FOR US BY OTHERS. AN INTERPRETED WORLD IS NOT A HOME. PART OF THE TERROR IS TO TAKE BACK OUR OWN LISTENING, TO USE OUR OWN VOICE, TO SEE OUR OWN LIGHT. -- SAINT HILDEGARD DE BINGEN
What happens to the child trapped in an abusive corrupt world? How does the repetitive intrusion of terror and helplessness impact the traumatized child’s development? In this six week psychodynamic, supportive, and educational group experience we will share personal traumatic life events from childhood, and explore their impact on one’s identity formation, capacity for intimacy, and the courageous quest to find hope and meaning amid darkness and despair.
All participants must be actively engaged in therapy with either Rev. Heller, or with another seasoned therapist for a minimum of one year. Full sustained remission from all addictive disorders is required.
For registration and details call Rev. Sheri Heller, LCSW 212-594-9801
Rev. Heller's article on Healing from Childhood Trauma
WE CANNOT LIVE IN A WORLD THAT IS NOT OUR OWN, IN A WORLD THAT IS INTERPRETED FOR US BY OTHERS. AN INTERPRETED WORLD IS NOT A HOME. PART OF THE TERROR IS TO TAKE BACK OUR OWN LISTENING, TO USE OUR OWN VOICE, TO SEE OUR OWN LIGHT. -- SAINT HILDEGARD DE BINGEN
What happens to the child trapped in an abusive corrupt world? How does the repetitive intrusion of terror and helplessness impact the traumatized child’s development? In this six week psychodynamic, supportive, and educational group experience we will share personal traumatic life events from childhood, and explore their impact on one’s identity formation, capacity for intimacy, and the courageous quest to find hope and meaning amid darkness and despair.
All participants must be actively engaged in therapy with either Rev. Heller, or with another seasoned therapist for a minimum of one year. Full sustained remission from all addictive disorders is required.
For registration and details call Rev. Sheri Heller, LCSW 212-594-9801
Rev. Heller's article on Healing from Childhood Trauma
