YOU want to be in control of your life. You can’t stand not being able to cope with different problems and you hate playing those psychological games your other half constantly wins.
You know you have potential but you don’t have that self-confidence you need to boost your life. Sound familiar? Nearly every human being on this earth has the same problems every now and then, but there are people who find it hard to reach the light at the end of the tunnel.
“Psychosynthesis is a method of psychological development and self-realisation for those who refuse to remain the slave of their own inner phantasms or of external influences, who refuse to submit passively to the play of psychological forces which are going on within them and who are determined to become the master of their own lives.” These are words spoken by the founder of psychosynthesis, Roberto Assagioli, a contemporary of Freud and Jung, explaining the meaning of this process of growth.
There are thousands of psychosynthesis centres and practitioners all over the world, but before you start booking tickets to London, you should know that there is also a trained counsellor of psychosynthesis who has a private practice in Nicosia. Sue Lartides, who trained at the Psychosynthesis and Education Trust in London, is offering a two-day workshop for those who are in transition or at some point in their lives where they are searching for direction.
“We are offering a creative space to explore with the use of just some of the many tools of psychosynthesis, some of the different roles we play in our lives,” explained Sue. The different roles we play in our lives could be that we are a mother, a daughter and a manager.
Psychosynthesis originated in Italy in 1910 with Roberto Assagioli. However, in 1926 the first institute opened and since 1960, psychosynthesis has been internationally known.
“Psychology tends to limit itself to pathology, to neurosis, it looks at what is wrong with a person,” Sue said, “but psychosynthesis tends to look towards what the human being can become. It focuses at the potential a person has and how he or she can develop.”
Psychosynthesis has been described as “The psychology with a soul”. It assumes that each human being is a soul as well as a personality and this is what distinguishes it from many other forms of psychotherapy. It deals with the whole person, the physical, the emotional, the mental and the spiritual.
People of any age can visit the workshop and use psychosynthesis as a way to get through problems. “Many people experience relationship problems, depression, despair, fear or isolation, at some time in their life,” said Sue, “so that means that anyone of any age could participate.”
Although Sue together with Nitsa Economides, who also is a trained therapist, asks people to visit the workshop in comfortable clothes and socks, psychosynthesis is not a physical form of therapy. “Some of it is physical,” Sue said, “but discussion, writing, creative activity and inner reflection are all a major part of psycosynthesis.” I imagine its something between yoga and an AA meeting, without the stupid scenes from Hollywood movies.
Obviously, psychosynthesis is a very deep matter that is difficult to explain let alone write about. Overall, psychosynthesis’ approach provides a framework to facilitate self-development and personal growth, as well as the means to release the more spiritual aspects of the human being. “Crises are only crises because in some way they threaten or challenge our established patterns of behaviour and sense of identity,” Sue explained.
Psychosynthesis can open us up to possibilities we never thought we had, it goes beyond the intellectual. Working in a group or talking in a private session, you will feel the support and Sue guarantees a difference in the two days.
“The two days offered will give participants the opportunity to explore within themselves and access their potential, which generally goes largely unrecognised and unused. This is an opportunity to gain a clearer sense of identity and direction in your lives right,” she said, “you will become more aware of the steps you could take through a situation.”
So as psychosynthesis gives us the ability to choose, make your choice and see if you want to give psychosynthesis a try.
Workshops:
Saturday, October 30
Sunday, October 31
Wednesday, November 3 (optional)
Time:
Saturday and Sunday 9.30am-5pm
Wednesday 5pm-9pm (optional)
Venue:
Kuan Yin Centre, Room 204, Avenue Court,
2A Katsonis Street, Ayioi Omologites, Nicosia
Cost:
Two-day workshop £100
Wednesday evening optional £30
Call Sue Lartides at 99-622504 or e-mail at [email protected]
