EPIC International seminar series 2025 Colours, Mirrors and Life Experiences from Around the Globe.
Sat 22 Feb 2025 12:00 PM - Sat 6 Dec 2025 6:00 PM GMT
Online, Zoom
Description
EPIC Seminar Series 2025 (ZOOM)
Colours, Mirrors, and Life Experiences from around the globe.
Seminar Dates:
Feb 22nd, March 22nd, May 31st,June 28, Sep 27th, October 25th, November 22nd, December 6th.
Seminar Times: GMT (British time)
12:30pm - 13:00 informal meeting
13:00 - 14:30 seminar
14:30- 15:00 poem break
15:00- 16:30. Experiential group
Seminar 1
Group Psychotherapy in an Inpatient Acute Psychiatric ward in Greece. The Unhoused Mind and how to Regain a Sense of Belonging
Sat February 22nd 12;30 pm- 4;30 pm UK time
Seminar leader: Francesca Giuseppina Bascialla, Psychiatrist, Group Analyst and Honorary Secretary of The Group Analytic Society International.
I will describe how in-patient group psychotherapy can become a safe environment in an acute ward. Also, how the network of relationships between patients and staff during non-structured daily activities of the ward life resonates within the group and the inner world of the patients. Non-verbal communication that takes place outside the group can be intertwined and processed within the group, helping with the patient's ability to regain personal and collective identity.
There will be plenty of time for discussion, and reflection.
I graduated as a Medical doctor from the University Statale of Milan (Italy). As a student, I was involved in the activities of one of the first-day hospital and family services in Italy, during the period of the psychiatric reform. After moving to Greece, I was trained as a psychiatrist at the 3rd Department of Psychiatry of the Aristotle University Thessaloniki (AUTh) practising also liaison psychiatry. I received a Doctorate in Medical Sciences at the same university. My training and graduation in group analysis, from 1997 to 2004 at the IGA-Athens(IGAA), added to my experience in the role of a therapeutic community leader. Since 2008, I am the responsible person for the IGAA’s scientific and training activities organized in Thessaloniki. On behalf of IGAA, I was responsible for the Psychological Early Intervention (Psych.E.In.) Erasmus+ project. Since 2000, I have become a research assistant of the 1st Department of Psychiatry of AUTh, practising group psychotherapy with in-patient, research activities, lectures, and supervision. In 2005, I initiated a consulting service for the perinatal period and a reflective Practice group for the staff at the 2nd Neonatal Intensive Unit Care of AUTh.In cooperation with international colleagues, I organized the first Reflective Citizens-Koinonia workshop online in Thessaloniki during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2022, I have been the Group Analytic Society International. (GASi)Honorary Secretary, and in 2024 I became GASi co-chair.
Seminar 2 March 22nd
Group therapy in the process of Rebuilding the broken society after the Genocide in Rwanda
Seminar Leader Marie Louise MUKESHIMANA, Training and Community Outreach Manager, Ubuntu Centre for Peace, Kigali Rwanda
Marie Louise is a professional licensed psychologist. She holds a bachelor’s
degree in Clinical Psychology from the former National University of Rwanda and a Master’s
degree in counseling psychology from Mount Kigali University, Rwanda, and is a current
student of group analysis.
She has extensive experience working in rehabilitation services and the community, as a group conductor and supervisor. Her work has included psychotherapy sessions (individual, group, and family therapies), psychoeducation, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and BBM (breath body mind) practices. With diverse experiences in program management, family support, monitoring, Coordination, and teaching. Her CV includes work with Hope for Life Ministry, Les enfants de Dieu, Rwanda's local administration.
Currently, Marie Louise works at Ubuntu Center for Peace as a Training and Community Outreach Manager.
Seminar 3 May 31st,
Seminar Leader: Manish Shekhar Das Gupta
The Authoritarian Nature of the Indian Marriage System: The psychological implications and the need for reform
As we unveil the lavishness and glamour of Indian weddings, we see the authoritarian nature
of the Indian marriage system. I talk about the psychological implications of the pressure to be
married within the Indian sub-culture- for both the man and the woman, with a specific focus
on the female gender. Practices like Kaanya-daan (bridal donation, a rough literal translation)
reduces the woman to being a mere object. I also refer to Sati's historical practice
understand the lack of space for the Self to exist, experience and exercise Freedom. Specific
focus will be given on what the society projects unto Indian women, and what they must
contain. All of these have real psychological consequences that impact one’s mental
health and well-being; this also calls for a collective thought reform about how we look at our
system of marriage.
Additional note:
I am aware of perhaps the irony or paradox of an Indian man speaking for women. I wish to
highlight the intricate & subtle authoritarian nature of marriages- a conversation that happens
in small circles and has often left me with helplessness. It is this helplessness that I come
with; aware that I am sure to miss nuances that a woman might have to offer about the same.
About Manish
Manish is an Existential-psychodynamic psychotherapist from North-East India. A
grandchild of partition, his interests lie in intergenerational trauma of partition and social,
cultural, and political aspects of how identities shape our individual and collective
experiences. Therapy is political; he integrates historical experiences into the fold of how we
experience freedom, death, and meaning.
Seminar 4 June 28th
Seminar Leader, Bruce Oppenheimer, Psychologist and Group Analyst, Isreal
Thoughts about (B)betrayal: Harold Pinter’s play .
Pinter suggests that betrayal is a deeply ingrained part of both
personal and intimate relations as well as of broader social and
political systems. In the play, he brings to life three characters who
betray themselves through self-deception and who also betray each
other. Pinter’s view on betrayal is complex and nuanced, without a
clear distinction between “villain” and “victim”. In our workshop, we
will read together a few extracts from the play and will aim to derive
some insights regarding relationships, both personal and political. It
will help if you will have read the play, and will be able to bring a
copy to the Zoom meeting.
Bio: I was born in South Africa, and have lived most of my adult life in
Israel. I am a Clinical Psychology Supervisor and a Group Analyst.
Apart from working with individuals in Psychotherapy, I conduct several therapy groups and also work as an Organizational Consultant, mainly in the areas of education, health and welfare. I have been interested in and involved in theatre for as long as I can
remember and am delighted to have the opportunity to think with
others about the connection between these two areas. My early
fascination with spy stories probably sparked my interest in betrayal.
Seminar 5 September 27th
Voices From China (details pending)
Seminar 6 October 25th
Voices From India ( details pending)
Seminar 7 November 22nd
Voices From the UK (details Pending)
Seminar 8 December 6th
The Epoch of Denial
Frosso Moureli will help us explore the irrevocable damage caused through climate change denial ( further details pending)
EPIC, The Experiential Psychotherapy Initiative Community works as a cooperative of psychotherapists involved in helping health professionals and others benefit from psychodynamic ways of understanding
Please address any enquiries about EPIC events to series convenor Marcus Price at epicentre8@gmail.com
( Illustrative paintings are by Marcus Price)
We will do our best to keep to the advertised program but we may need to make occasional changes