Self and Society

Statutory regulation issue out now!

2008-07-03T03:04:00.000-07:00

The new issue should be with you by now. If you want to write letters, articles etc on the theme, I'll need them early this time - by 12th July at the latest, as I'm heading off to Voice Camp in August and need to put it together early.
Looking forward very much to seeing you at the AGM and/or the festival - it's going to be a good one. Julian has been working his socks off, and the news is that we've just broken even - but there are still spaces available if you want to book, especially for camping.
The next issue of S&S is about death and dying, edited by my friend Anne Bury, who has years of experience of working in hospices and in education. It's going to be a good one. It will also be my last issue as editor, as Neill Thew will be taking over - I'm really looking forward to wherever it goes from here.
Maxine.

Statutory regulation issue coming out soon

2008-05-27T10:12:00.001-07:00

Hi all
UKCP members received a shock letter asking them to contact their MP - the word was that humanistic and integrative psychotherapists would be excluded from the categories available. We've pulled out all the stops to put together an issue of S&S about statutory regulation, with articles by Derek Lawton of AHPP, Denis Postle and Guy Gladstone. But I'm sure they won't have the last word. If you want to contribute to the debate, post your thoughts on this blog.

The festival tickets are beginning to sell, so get yours now before they go - it's going to be an excellent weekend, and the AHPB AGM will be held then too.
Maxine.

Festival issue out now!

2007-11-11T01:42:00.000-08:00

The festival issue of Self & Society is out now, and I hope those of you who are members of AHPB have received it. There's a taste of the weekend for those who didn't come, and for those who did a chance to relive some of the high points. Your feedback and additional thoughts are always welcome.

If you're not a member and would like a copy, please send a cheque for £5 made out to AHPB to Julian Nangle, 12 South Walks Road Dorchester DT1 1ED. Please note there are no free copies of this issue available. Or of course, you could join, get your copy, and a discount on next year's festival. The plans are well underway and Julian has booked Diane Glouberman, founder of Skyros and Andrew Samuels, as well as a return visit from Seize the Day, as well as drumming, singing, Chi Kung, dreamwork, poetry, meditation, drumming, singing, shiatsu and much more. Plus the children’s festival!

Booking forms will be out early next year.

Being alongside my mother during her illness over the past two months has raised a stronger interest for me in death and dying. As well as dealing with some of the issues first hand, I've put in plans for an issue of Self & Society next year. If anyone wants to write for it, or has suggestions, please get in touch.

The festival issue!

2007-09-26T08:22:00.000-07:00

I'm putting the final touches to the festival issue - there's so much to say that we've decided to focus the whole issue on the festival and leave reviews and regular columns for next time. There'll be lots of photos, and I'm hoping to put all the photos we have onto www.flickr.com for everyone to download their favourites.

And there's news of next year's festival - so far Julian has booked Diane Glouberman and Andrew Samuels for a new, bigger festival at the Leela Centre in Dorset, from 18th-20th July. There's lots of room for camping, and some indoor spaces to sleep too. There may be a children's festival as well.

The new board met last Saturday at Russell Square cafe, and there's enough energy to put together more events. AHPB is alive and flourishing.

Personally, my mother has been in hospital for three weeks now, and we're trying to find a way of getting her back to her beloved flat with support. At 90, she's had a wonderfully active life up to the last few weeks. It's taking a lot of energy and love to be with her through this, but I'm receiving so much from the process too.

Maxine.

AGM

2007-08-17T11:26:00.000-07:00

The word is that not many people have signed up to come to the AGM so far. I hope that's because everyone's away on holiday and will flock in after that. It will be a good day with a clowning workshop in the morning and all the AHP news in the afternoon. We'll also be saying goodbye to some people who have kept AHP going through difficult years, and thanking them for everything they've put in.

New people are coming forward to join the board, and we're already looking at possibilities for activities next year - another festival at least. We're hoping to be able to show David Beasley's photos of the weekend.

Meanwhile, back at S&S, the latest issue has gone to press and the Festival issue is well on the way. If you have any reports or feedback - we even have a poem! - then get it off to me now.
Here's a taste of that poem....

I was sitting at home, missing my college friends,
Wondering how to fill ten weeks ahead
When along came the postman - a flier from AHPB
‘That is what’s meant for me. I’ll do that instead.’

How's this for feedback?

2007-08-07T06:25:00.000-07:00

"Just want to say WOW! This was one of the most important weekends of my life - I felt a shift inside me right at my core as well as outside in relation to others. I grew, I learnt and I loved it. Thank you."

I've just been reading all the feedback from the festival, and it's overwhelming. Nobody liked the mud, but the comments are wonderful.
Maxine.

After the festival

2007-08-03T05:59:00.000-07:00

It was a week today that we arrived in Worcestershire, after two weeks of anxiety - would the festival happen at all or would it drown in the floods overwhelming the area? But it happened, and it's hard to imagine it now, although I've still got a trace of the glowing smile that I wandered round with all weekend.
This week we've been fielding comments, receiving feedback, and beginning to make plans for the future. This is the most exciting time in AHP's history since I've known it - real possibilities of reaching new people who can use what we offer and offer us energy in return.
Right now I'm sitting in my garden in the sun with piles of books, trying to work on my dissertation but drawn back into dreaming about the possibilities and remembering the realities of the weekend we had together. Sorry if you missed it - it was a treat. Come next year and find out for yourself - people have already been offering workshops and ideas.
I'm going to try to keep posting on this blog even if nobody finds it - so join in and let me know you're reading it!
Maxine.

January rant!

2007-02-07T03:08:00.000-08:00

Here's a preview of the next editorial:
The world is in such a mad phase right now - shock-wave after shock-wave. I'm remembering how our bodies deal with shock. Hearing of yet another death or plan to build nuclear weapons or make was on another country, or about global warming threatening the future of our planet, our bodies can easily go into shock - there seems to be nothing we can do, either fight or escape. So we freeze, can't mobilise our resources, and spiral into helplessness, denial and dissociation. I can feel it in myself, and I'm not always good at finding a way through it.
Even if it's only to counteract this process, I think it's important to do something. Anything will do, from avid recycling to going on the CND demo in London, to reducing our carbon footprint, and talking about all that with other people. Only in that way can we feel we are part of the process, and stir up the intertia which has lulled us into acquiescence and despar. If it also has a positive effect on the outcomes, then however small that is, it has to add to the energy which says no to war, to pollution and to misuse of our resources. And it will make us feel better too.
Let usk know how you deal with it all, on the blog or by email to editor@ahpb.org.uk.
End of rant!
Maxine.

Self and Society

2007-01-05T05:35:00.000-08:00

Addiction issue

Your January issue will be on its way soon, and I'm looking at the next one, due in March. We have some space for more articles about addiction, so if you are interested in writing, you'll need to have something with me at editor@ahpb.org.uk by 20th January at the latest. So far we have an article on AA, a personal account about everyday addictions, and an article on using guided imagery with substance misusers. Maybe now is a good time to reflect, with all the resolutions January brings.

Festival

2006-10-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

At the BACP exhibition a couple of weeks ago, lots of people walked away from our stall with a copy of S&S and a leaflet about the festival next July - and a smile on their faces! It's almost ten years since we last had an AHP Conference, and we're planning one again - this time in a tented conference centre in Gloucestershire. We'll be celebrating the new and the old, with workshops, a sweat lodge, a bar, and anything which wants to happen.
From the interest so far, it looks like it will be a sellout. And the planning is brightening up the board too - we meet in London tomorrow to discuss the plans, and it's good to enjoy the prospect. All thanks to Julian Nangle for putting in his energies.
The next issue of S&S will be out at the end of the month; it's an exploration of the Person Centred Approach, guest edited by Keith Hudson of the Temenos Centre. I hope you enjoy it.
Maxine.

Deadlines

2006-09-23T02:36:00.000-07:00

The deadline for the next issue is coming up, so if you want to write a letter, please get it to me this week - by 30th September.
Keith Tudor is editing the next issue on the Person Centred Approach, and we've had some interesting conversations about it. The issue about what is and is not humanistic comes up often. The word has sometimes been called an umbrella, but many people seem to prefer their own, or to get wet!
None of that concerns me particularly - there are far too many labels which divide people, and life is too short for precise definitions and who's in and who's out. I feel the same about 'being human in an inhuman world'. I don't think humanistic people have a monopoly on compassion or humanity.
Hope you're enjoying the last issue - let us know what you thought about Thanissara's article.
Maxine.

Singing for peace

2006-08-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

I'm back from Voice Camp - 500 people sharing 3 fields in Dorset for a week. Have been singing non-stop, which was wonderful. There was a moving session of singing songs for peace, and £5000 was raised for Wateraid, the chosen chairty for the natural voice movement.
I felt restored enough to proof-read the next issue today - it's an interesting mix, with Thanissara writing about peace and the oil crisis, Clive Perraton Mountford writing about a new hybrid of Client-centred therapy and Focusing which he calls 'Open Centred', and recollections of Petruska Clarkson by Hilde Rapp, David Boadella, Alexandra Chalfont and others.
There were also two new submissions from new contributors which arrived in the week I was away - always something of interest. And of course a rnage of reviews and our regular columns. Hope you enjoy it when it comes out!

Hello from Self and Society

2006-07-14T03:10:00.000-07:00

This is our new blog, where I'll post messages about Self & Society for readers and writers. The next issue is coming together at the moment- if you have any letters or other contributions, please make sure I have them before 27th July. As you may know, Petruska Clarkson, one of our editorial board for many years, died in May. If you knew her and would like to contribute, please let me know, with a deadline of 27th.
Over the next few months we'll be looking at addictions, the person centred approach and healing, but I'm always happy to receive contributions on any subject.
Maxine.