Shamanism
& Psychotherapy
Learn the foundational components of shamanism and how they relate to the process of psychotherapy.
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Ann Sinko
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Robert Falconer
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1-day workshop
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5 hours of video
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Recording
experiential activities:
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Guided meditations
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Personal practice
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Collective unburdening ritual
A basic tenant
of shamanism
In recent times the practice of psychotherapy has seen the benefit of the inclusion of spirituality for client and therapist alike. Shamanism has much to teach about the process of healing and empowerment. The goals of both practices are very similar – applying techniques that achieve and maintain well-being and healing and to help alleviate suffering. As well as helping our clients transcend their limited definition of themselves and their world.
A basic tenant of shamanism is that one’s personal power is fundamental to wellbeing. As is having self esteem, self compassion, a sense of agency and belonging in psychotherapy.
During Shamanism and Psychotherapy you will:
- Learn the foundational components of shamanism and how they relate to the process of psychotherapy.
- Explore the concept of guides/guidance and how to enhance and apply these concepts/relationships, personally and professionally.
- Learn how to identify legacy burdens and unattached burdens and other energies that don’t belong. Learn how these concepts present in clients and how to help address them in psychotherapy.
- Gain knowledge about the universals of shamanism put forth by Michael Harner.
- Learn the benefits of having a relationship with guidance.
- Experience guided meditations and experiential exercises that explore shamanic practices and gain insight to implement into psychotherapy.
- Participate in an inquiry process that explores your relationship/blocks with Spirit.
- Learn an IFS protocol for unburdening cultural and legacy burdens.
- Learn “tools of discernment” when building a relationship with guidance.
- Gain awareness of the 3 kinds of illnesses from a shamanic perspective and how this awareness can guide the practice of psychotherapy.
- Participate in a collective unburdening ritual.
Start using shamanic practices in your work with clients
An online workshop with Ann Sinko & Robert Falconer
Learn the foundational components of shamanism and how they relate to the process of psychotherapy.
By signing up for the "Shamanism & Psychotherapy" workshop, you get:
- All-time access to the workshop recording – no time limits,
- Training materials ready for printing,
- Certificate of Completion,
- 6 IFS CEs available to be applied for IFS certification for those who have completed Level 1 training.
The cutting edge of ancient wisdom
The concept and experience of what is called non-ordinary reality in shamanism and what we refer to as guided imagery have a lot in common and have enormous potential in psychotherapy. Our imagination is one of our most powerful innate tools as human beings. Shamans have known this fact forever. Combining psychotherapy and shamanism is “The” cutting edge of ancient wisdom.
The workshop format is highly informative and experiential. We believe that experience is the best teacher when grounding new material and is much more likely to be integrated into practice when there has been a direct personal experience.
Learn and experience
We will present some of Michael Harner’s work as a beginning. He was an archaeologist who researched shamanism worldwide and began teaching what he called core shamanism, the universals of shamanic practices and traditions found across the globe.
The lectures in this workshop are to disseminate information, increase curiosity and hopefully leave you wanting to learn more.
The practices in this workshop are designed to help deepen your awareness of guidance, experience the healing power of ritual, and encourage the implementation of basic shamanic ways into clinical practice.
Meet the teachers
Ann Sinko
Ann L. Sinko, LMFT, Senior IFS Trainer, has 35 years of clinical experience and is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Connecticut. She is in private practice and has been teaching as an adjunct Professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Central Connecticut State University for more than 25 years.
Ann integrates IFS theory and technique into all facets of her creative work with families, couples, individuals and groups. She establishes a safe environment in which clients experience unconditional acceptance. Ann has a background in gestalt therapy, is a systemic thinker and integrates spirituality.
Ann is passionate about teaching, believes that theory is best integrated through experiential learning, and brings a down-to-earth, concrete style and a sense of humor to her teaching. She is also a seasoned world traveler, loves the outdoors, and is an avid gardener.
Robert Falconer
For the past decade or more Robert Falconer has devoted himself full-time to IFS work (Internal Family Systems Therapy). In that time he has attended all levels of IFS training offered, and has been a program assistant more than 18 times.
Bob has been at many workshops and events with Richard Schwartz both as assistant and participant. In addition to studying with many of the other senior IFS trainers, he also co-authored a book with Richard Schwartz entitled, Many Minds, One Self. For all of his therapeutic work, both professional and personal, Bob now uses IFS almost exclusively.
Before this Bob used and explored many forms of therapy, starting with Ericksonian hypnotherapy which he studied with Carol Erickson. He received his master’s degree and hypnotherapist certificate under her tutelage. Then he met and began studying with Jack and Helen Watkins, the creators of Ego State Therapy.
See what others say about the teachers
Who is this workshop for?
If you want to learn about shamanic practices and start to combine them with therapeutic modalities to help yourself and others in the healing process, this workshop is for you.
During the workshop, teachers will refer to Internal Family Systems Model (IFS), psychedelic-assisted therapy, and other therapeutic modalities.
Any prior knowledge about those areas isn't required, but it can deepen your understanding of discussed topics.
How it works
The workshop was held live in July 2022.
The whole process has been structured so that you can go through it at any time, at your own pace. Explore almost 5 hours of video material - it's important that you find the right space to immerse yourself in this process.
The recording contains didactics, meditations, a collective unburdening ritual, and practice instructions so you will be able to do personal work in your own time. Please note that the practice group sessions and group sharings were not recorded.
Remember that you get unlimited access to the workshop recordings, which means you will be able to view them in a year or even in a few years.
Getting certified?
With this series there are 6 IFS CEs available to be applied for
IFS certification for those who have completed IFS Level 1 training.
A detailed description of experiential activities:
Please note that the teacher will respond to the needs of the group and because of that, the chosen activities may change
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Guided meditations
Guided meditation is an internal practice that you do with closed eyes, following the teacher's voice. The teacher will invite you to sit back, relax, and focus on your inner world. You will meet your parts, talk to them, and often learn things you weren't aware of before. Guided meditation can allow you to do a significant piece of inner work.
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Personal practice (ex. journalling)
Personal practice means working on your own, usually with a piece of paper, after hearing the instructions explained by the teacher. These exercises may be various - sometimes you will be invited to communicate with your parts by journalling, sometimes you will do a drawing exercise (like mapping your parts). Other times you will get a more complex set of instructions and 10 or 15 minutes to do a piece of the process on your own.
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Collective unburdening ritual
It’s a special form of guided meditation during which the group releases burdens and problematic energies. You can experience the healing power of the ritual and feel the connection with the multinational group of workshop participants. Joining this activity is optional.
Opinions about this workshop
Start using shamanic practices in your work with clients
An online workshop with Ann Sinko & Robert Falconer
Learn the foundational components of shamanism and how they relate to the process of psychotherapy.
By signing up for the "Shamanism & Psychotherapy" workshop, you get:
- All-time access to the workshop recording – no time limits,
- Training materials ready for printing,
- Certificate of Completion,
- 6 IFS CEs available to be applied for IFS certification for those who have completed Level 1 training.