Integrative meaning therapy (MT) is a recent extension and integration of Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy with cognitive behavioural therapy and positive psychotherapy. As a pluralistic and integrative therapy, MT can be tailored to the needs of each individual clients based on their innate capabilities in meaning-seeking and meaning-making.

The first part of MT training focuses on the big picture and existential competency (EC). This set of EC skills addresses existential crises, such as the meaning of life, the meaning of suffering, the fear of death.

The second part of this workshop will teach innovative meaning therapy interventions, also known as existential positive interventions, in specific situations. The PURE strategy explores purpose, understanding, responsibility, and enjoyment (PURE). Another major intervention strategy is ABCDE, which stands for acceptance, belief (affirmation), commitment, discovery, and evaluation.

Five reasons for adding MT to your clinical toolbox:

• Help clients learn how to manage the dialectic tension in opposites, paradoxes inherent in life;
• Repair the worst and bring out the best in your clients;
• Move your clients from self-awareness, self-reflection to self-transcendence;
• Turn tragedy into triumph through meaning-focused copings; and
• Develop clients’ natural capacities to achieve healing and flourishing.

PRESENTER 

Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych. is Professor Emeritus of Trent University and Adjunct Professor at Saybrook University. He is a Fellow of APA and CPA, and President of the International Network on Personal Meaning (www.meaning.ca) and the Meaning-Centered Counselling Institute Inc. (www.meaningtherapy.com). Internationally known for his integrative meaning therapy and his research on the vital role of meaning in healing and well-being. He had served on both the National Advisory Council on Aging in Canada (https://www.nia.nih.gov/about/naca) and the Biological-Behavioural Science Panel of NIMH in the USA (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml). He has been invited to give keynotes on second wave positive psychology and meaning therapy globally. His two edited volumes of The Human Quest for Meaning: Theories, Research, and Applications have become standard references in meaning research and interventions. His most recent book is Inspirations for Difficult Times (2019).

FACILITATOR

Lilian C. J. Wong, PhD, has over two decades of experience as a psycho-educational consultant and school psychologist in public school boards in Ontario and B.C., working closely with children, families, and teachers. Her roles involved assessment, diagnosis, counselling, and programming to facilitate students’ learning, behaviour, and well-being. She was also Associate Professor and School Counselling Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Counselling Psychology at Trinity Western University (2001-2006) and Associate Professor of Psychology at Tyndale University College (2006-2009).

A recognized expert in her meaning-centred approach to play therapy and multicultural supervision, her research areas include cross-cultural psychological assessment, multicultural counselling, play therapy, resilience, moral and character development, emotional and social intelligence, ethical issues in counselling, and clinical supervision. She is co-editor of the Handbook of Multicultural Perspectives on Stress and Coping (2006), The Positive Psychology of Meaning and Spirituality (2012), and The Positive Psychology of Meaning and Addiction Recovery (2013).

She has been in private practice for many years, specializing in children, adolescents and families. She has been invited to lecture and conduct workshops on grief therapy, play therapy, and counselling at conferences, universities, and community agencies. She travels worldwide with her husband, Dr. Paul Wong, speaking on meaning therapy.

Learning Objectives

Participants will learn…

1. Go through a step-by-step guided conceptual and clinical tour of integrative meaning therapy (MT)
2. Recognize the psychological harm of meaninglessness, negative meaning, exaggerated meaning, and delusional meaning
3. Reconceptualise psychological disorders as adjustment problems and unmet psychological/spiritual needs
4. Hands-on training in major MT intervention strategies, such as PURE, ABCDE & dual-system approach
5. Demonstrate Meaning-focused coping strategies, such as re-appraisal, re-framing, re-authoring, and meaning seeking/making
6. Explain how meaning therapy can integrate healing with thriving, inside and outside counselling sessions

TARGET AUDIENCE

This event will be of interest to Spiritual Care Providers, Psychiatrists, Physicians, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Social Workers, Nurses, Counselors, and students of all related disciplines.

CANCELLATIONS

Refunds: A $25.00 handling fee will be deducted upon registration cancellation. Refund requests to info@meaning.ca must be received before March 29.