Shame and Its Transmission Across Generations

Robert  ” Dr. Bob ”  Weathers , Ph.D. – Life Coach

Shame in Families: Transmission Across Generations

(summarized from: Dr. Ed Teyber, Dr. Faith McClure, and Dr. Robert Weathers in “Shame in the Therapy Hour” (R. L. Dearing & J. P. Tangney, eds.), 2011, Washington, D. C.: American Psychological Association Press)

~ Our entire sense of self is derived from interpersonal experiences, particularly those that are laid down in our early psychological development.  Hence if we are prone to shame states, it can be assumed that we have been profoundly affected by repeated shaming encounters with our primary caregivers.

~ For many individuals, psychological symptoms (and the suffering associated with them) persist, even after a course of psychotherapy, owing to the fact that the fundamental sense of self, rooted in traumatic developmental experiences of repeated shame, has never been truly or adequately acknowledged or brought to light of day.

~ If you really “get” the amount of personal suffering your client has experienced (e.g, emotional neglect and abandonment), it only makes perfect sense that your client would be severely limited in his/her ability to control feelings, like shame or anger, and behavior, such as aggressive acting-out of those disturbing feelings.

~ In childhood, our emerging sense of self is very largely a function of how emotionally attuned and responsive our primary caregivers are.

~ Child developmental psychology pioneer Erik Erikson observed that, when the early bonds of trust for the infant are not upheld and encouraged, shame takes hold in the formation of the betrayed infant/child’s beginning sense of self-identity.

~ Far too many children experience and express profound, relentless states of internal shame.  This incredibly painful emotion, which often includes feelings of being personally defective , inferior, or just plain “wrong,” brings with it a sense of hollow emptiness inside, along with feeling always vulnerable, powerless, and exposed to even further criticism of one’s essential worthlessness.  In light of its nearly unbearable intensity, which brings with it the sense of its being utterly unmanageable, such profound shame leaves the defenseless child feeling hopeless about doing anything to “turn down the volume” on his/her overwhelming inner suffering.

~ The thoughts and feelings associated with shame, owing to the pain they evoke, also often trigger defensive reactions (to lessen the pain), such as blaming someone else, attacking another aggressively, or sometimes, hurting oneself (being both the subject and object of shame’s extreme self-hatred).

~ Therapy for the shame-prone client optimally includes what British attachment theorist and child psychoanalyst, Peter Fonagy, calls “mentalization.”  Mentalizing means entering into the inner world of the client, as much as empathically possible.  In this way, the therapist may be able to not only understand, but also help articulate for the client, that painful shame which lies close to the very core of his/her sense of self.)

~ Psychoanalytic theorist and psychotherapist, Robert Stolorow, used and honed a clinical concept very similar to that described by Peter Fonagy.  Stolorow’s focus is on the  ”intersubjective,” or mutual, therapeutic relationship; one in which “sustained empathic inquiry” is facilitated at all times, and whose one goal is to provide the client with an experience of being known and understood radically and completely.

~ Without a concerted and skillful therapeutic intervention, shame may very well be handed down from one family generation to the next.  The biblical admonition of the “sins of the fathers” being “visited” upon their offspring comes to mind.

~ Perhaps the single most identifying source of suffering for shame-prone individuals is their absolute and underlying (sometimes subliminal, though no less crippling) sense of being a failure.   These same individuals are at risk of attempting such personal antidotes to shame as projecting their own worst fears, and with them, relentless expectations, onto their children; all this in the unsuccessful attempt to resolve the parent’s own core sense of shame.  This strategy of “indirect self-acceptance” (discussed by authors Putney and Putney in their classic, “The Adjusted American”) aims at making sure that the shamed parent’s child performs at so high a behavioral standard that the parent, by association, might be viewed as a truly “good” parent, and by implication, as a “good” (rather than defective) person.

~ Shame, because it cuts right to the core of one’s most intimately known sense of self, requires that the therapist be able to connect to the client at the deepest interpersonal level.  The aim here is that the client requires has experienced the therapist’s carefully attuned presence and validation of their true self (deeper, more fundamental than the shamed version) will be able to internalize the therapist’s emotionally balancing or regulating presence.  This experience of emotional repair, which psychoanalytic self psychologists call “transmuting internalization,” provides clients over time with the ability to increasingly tolerate emotional stressors, experience a broader range of emotions (especially pleasant or positive ones), and be much more flexible both cognitively and behaviorally.

~ As clients work, with therapeutic help, through their vulnerabilities around shame, they most often experience a renewal of personal ambition and vitality—what self psychologist Heinz Kohut called one’s “nuclear program” (self as “nucleus”) or what psychoanalyst James Masterson called, simply autonomy (after the Greek sense of “autos-nommos” (or literally, self-law).  These positive changes may be seen to manifest behaviorally in increased goal directness, experienced self-congruence (between one’s ideal self and actual self), and personal integrity (in the root sense of that word, literally, to be a single, indivisible “integer”).

~ Psychoanalyst Philip Bromberg, in particular, suggests a therapeutic approach which processes emotional experiences, with a “receptive other” in the present, here-and-now moment—especially in clinically treating shame states—where the greatest stress is place upon consistently providing emotional safety in the therapy hour.

~ It is essential to any effective intervention with shame that this emotion’s validity—that the client somehow deserves to believe in his/her defectiveness—be seriously challenged.  The goal here is that shamed clients may then develop a non-shaming internal sense of self-identity; one which  endorses their legitimately being worthy of being loved and  cared about, and affirmed, right amidst their human imperfections.

~ Recent research in psychological development, suggests that criticism, especially when chronic, may be a far more central cause of shame than previously recognized.

(More to follow.)

 

— Robert  ” Dr. Bob ”  Weathers , Ph.D. —

Robert ” Dr. Bob ” Weathers , Ph.D. – Services

ROBERT  ” DR. BOB ”  WEATHERS , PH.D.

Individual and Couples Life Coaching

I would like to provide you a bit of an orientation to what you might expect in working with me in counseling and life coaching.  Counseling, or life coaching, is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personalities of the client and counselor or life coach, and the particular problems you are experiencing. There are many different methods I may use to deal with the problems that you hope to address. Counseling or life coaching is not like a medical doctor visit. Instead, it calls for a very active effort on your part. In order for the counseling or life coaching to be most successful, you will have to work on things we talk about both during our sessions and at home. Counseling or life coaching can have benefits and risks. Since counseling or life coaching often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness, and helplessness. On the other hand, counseling or life coaching has also been shown to have many benefits. Although there are no guarantees of what you will experience, counseling or life coaching often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, reductions in feelings of distress, improvement in mood and behavior, and increased satisfaction in overall life circumstances.

Our first few sessions will involve an evaluation of your concerns and needs. By the end of the evaluation, I will be able to offer you some first impressions of what our work will include and a counseling or life coaching plan to follow, if you decide to continue with counseling or life coaching. You should evaluate this information along with your own opinions of whether you feel comfortable working with me. Counseling or life coaching involves a large commitment of time, money, and energy, so you should be very careful about the counselor or life coach you select. If you have questions about my procedures, we should discuss them whenever they arise. If your doubts persist, I will be happy to help you set up a meeting with another mental health professional for a second opinion.

Meetings

An initial evaluation usually lasts from 2 to 4 sessions. During this time, we can both decide if I am the best person to provide the services you need in order to meet your counseling or life coaching goals. If counseling or life coaching is begun, I will usually schedule one session (one appointment hour of 45-50 minutes duration) per week at a time we agree on, although some sessions may be longer or more frequent. Once an appointment hour is scheduled, you will be expected to pay for it unless you provide 24 hours advance notice of cancellation [unless we both agree that you were unable to attend due to circumstances beyond your control]. If it is possible, I will try to reschedule the appointment during the same week. No contact, either by meeting or phone, for a period of 2 months will result in the closure of your case.  We may discuss resuming counseling or life coaching at a later time.

— Robert  ” Dr. Bob ”  Weathers , Ph.D. —

Dr. Bob Weathers Publications and Presentations

Robert Weathers, Ph.D. Publications

Teyber, E., McClure, F., & Dr. Robert Weathers  (in press).  Shame and the family.  Shame (edited vol.).  Washington, D.C.  American Psychological Association Press.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2006).  Introducing a full-spectrum approach to psychotherapy.  Conway Daily Sun (Special Issue on Health Professions), 18, 12-13.

Gentile, S. R., Asamen, J. K., Harmell, P. H., & Dr. Robert Weathers (2002). The stalking of psychologists by their clients. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33, 490-494.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2000).  The archetypal nature of percussion: Bridging psyche and soma.  In S. Galipeau (Ed.), On the shores of the psyche: Seeking further understanding in Jungian psychology.  Los Angeles: C. G. Jung Institute.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2000).  The rhythm of eros: A prospectus for analyzing human interaction in archetypal and clinical perspective.  In W. Riess (Ed.), Breakdown & breakthrough: Jungian psychology at the millennium.  San Francisco: C. G. Jung Institute.

Jacoby, M.  (1999).  Jungian psychotherapy and contemporary infant research: Basic patterns of emotional exchange (R. Weathers, trans.).  London: Routledge.

Nelson, D. C., & Dr. Robert Weathers  (1998).  Necessary angels: Music and healing in psychotherapy.  Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 38, 101-108.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1995).  Reconciliation: The work of Ralph Martin and its implications for psychotherapeutic practice.  Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 14, 365-373.

Allman, L. S., De La Rocha, O., Elkins, D. N., & Dr. Robert Weathers  (1992). Psychotherapists’ attitudes toward clients reporting mystical experience.  Psychotherapy, 29, 564-569.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1990).  Dream theory and research.  In R. J. Hunter (Ed.), Dictionary of Pastoral Care and Counseling.  Nashville, TN:  Abingdon Press.

Winocur, N., & Dr. Robert Weathers  (1990).  The false transformational promise of cults: Archetypal dynamics.  Journal of Cultic Studies, 7, 160-173.

Hedgespeth, J., & Dr. Robert Weathers  (1990).  The evil within versus the evil without: The importance of understanding the client’s attributions to evil.  Journal of Pastoral Counseling, 25, 80-89.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1986).  Meditation, altered states, and unpleasant experiences: A structural-developmental analysis.  Dissertation Abstracts International, 46, 3620-3621.  (University Microfilms Order No. DA8526351).

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1985).  Locus of control and attention differences in the aging process.  Masters Abstracts International, 23, 223. (University Microfilms Order No. MA1322816).

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1984).  The limits of human wisdom:  Scientific knowledge and religious commitment.  Journal of American Scientific Affiliation, 36, 45-46.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1984).  (Review of Spirituality and human emotion).  Journal of American Scientific Affiliation, 36, 118-120.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1983).  Dualism or holism?: A look at biblical anthropology, ethics, and human health.  Journal of American Scientific Affiliation, 35, 80-83.

Presentations

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2010, December).  Handling shame with effective mirroring: Keys to customer satisfaction and retention.  In-service training presented to administration and staff at California Southern University, Irvine, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & Hassell, G.  (2010, October).  The sunrise ruby: Rumi on what love is and what it takes to sustain it.  Seminar presented to the public at the Mystic Journey Bookstore, Venice, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2009, October).  Interpersonal neurobiology in the online training of psychotherapists.  Seminar presented at Summit Conference for International Healthcare Workers Day, California State University, Long Beach, CA.

Grimes, B., & Dr. Robert Weathers  (2009, October).  Helping the multiculturally diverse learn through distance education.  Keynote address at 2^nd International Conference, Gori University, Gori, Republic of Georgia.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2009, August).  California Southern University links up with the Consortium for Physicians from Latin America.  Television interview presented to Telemundo TV, Santa Ana, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2009, August).  Jung on psychotherapy, spirituality, and interpersonal relationships.  Seminar presented live and online to faculty, staff, and students at California Southern University, Santa Ana, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2009, July).  Jung on psychotherapy and spirituality.  Seminar presented live and online to faculty, staff, and students at California Southern University, Santa Ana, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2009, June).  Jung on artistic creativity.  Seminar presented live and online to faculty, staff, and students at California Southern University, Santa Ana, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2009, January).  Active listening and public relations.  Seminar presented to faculty and staff at California Southern University, Santa Ana, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2008, November).  Training to become an effective psychotherapist.  Seminar presented live and online to faculty, staff, and students at California Southern University, Santa Ana, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & Hassel, G.  (2007, November).  Bouncing off, bouncing back: Resilience to stress for the already successful. Seminar presented to working professionals at Rotary Club, Van Nuys, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2005, May).  Training to become an effective psychotherapist.  Seminar presented to bachelor’s-level counseling students at Granite State College, Conway, NH.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2002, May).  Cultivating your art-form: Music as a soul-making path for therapists.  1-day workshop presented to professional mental health counselors in Malibu, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2001, February).  Inside the temenos.  Invited solo drum performance presented to participants at the National Conference of Jungian Analysts, Santa Monica, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2000, July).  Jungian psychotherapy and contemporary infant research.  Seminar presented to professional mental health counselors at the C. G. Jung Institute, Los Angeles, July 2000.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & Dyer, S. A.  (2000, April).  A Jungian approach to psychopathology.  3-day intensive course presented to master’s-level psychology students at Pacifica Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2000, April).  The rhythm of eros: Human interaction in archetypal perspective.  2-day seminar presented to analysts and candidates at the C. G. Jung Institute, Zürich, Switzerland.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2000, April).  Jung and intersubjectivity: An integrative approach to psychotherapy.  2-day seminar presented to candidates at the C. G. Jung Institute, Zürich, Switzerland.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (2000, March).  The archetypal nature of percussion: Bridging psyche and soma.  Paper presented at the Spring Conference of Jungian Analysts and Control Stage Candidates, La Jolla.

Dr. Robert Weathers, McIlroy, V., & Gallo Marsteller, J.  (1999, June).  Extraversion redeemed.  Seminar presented to analysts and candidates at the C. G. Jung Institute, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & Schaaf, S.  (1999, May).  Four visits: A performance in the spirit of Jung.  Dance/drum performance presented to members of the C. G. Jung Institute, Colburn School of Performing Arts, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1999, March).  The rhythm of eros: Human interaction in archetypal perspective.  Keynote paper presented at the Twenty-sixth Annual Jungian Conference, C. G. Jung Club of Orange County, Chapman University, Orange, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1999, March).  The rhythm of eros: A prospectus for analyzing human interaction in archetypal and clinical perspective.  Paper presented at the Spring Conference of Jungian Analysts and Control Stage Candidates, Carmel, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & Bercaw, B.  (1999, March).  Unleashing your potential: The mind, body, spirit connection.  Workshop presented to faculty and staff at Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1998, September).  The president as failed hero: Contemporary images of archetypal realities.  Seminar presented to professional mental health counselors at the C. G. Jung Institute, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1998, August).  Drumming a dream: Music as a soul-making path.  1-day workshop presented to the public at the C. G. Jung Institute, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1998, August).  A Jungian approach to group processes.   4-day intensive course presented to masters-level psychology students at Pacifica Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1998, July).  The archetype of the child: Personal and transpersonal aspects of psychological development.  Seminar presented to professional mental health counselors at the C. G. Jung Institute, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1998, May).  The polarity of Adam: The personal alchemy of psychological individuation.  Seminar presented to professional mental health counselors at the C. G. Jung Institute, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1997, October).  The archetypal drum: Rhythm and individuation.  Seminar presented to the public at Chapman University, Orange, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1997, July).  The archetypal drum: Rhythm and individuation.  Seminar presented to the public at the C. G. Jung Institute, Los Angeles, CA.

Elkins, D. N., & Dr. Robert Weathers  (1997, June).  Existential issues in psychotherapy.  Professional and experiential dialogue presented to members of the Pepperdine University Psi Chi Honors Fraternity, Newport Beach, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1997, April).  The psychotherapeutic interpretation of fairy tales: Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Steadfast Tin Soldier”.  Seminar presented to professional mental health counselors at the C. G. Jung Institute, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1997, March).  External legitimacy vs. internal authenticity: Ethical dilemmas  in psychotherapy.  Seminar presented at Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Culver City, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1997, February).  The treatment of early object loss: The need to search.  Seminar presented to professional mental health counselors at the C. G. Jung Institute, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1996, October-December).  Communication skills for parents and teachers of teens.  Workshop series (7 weeks) presented to the public at Yavneh Hebrew Academy, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1996, October).  Drumming and dreaming: An archetypal exploration of music and psychotherapy.  Seminar presented to professional mental health counselors at the C. G. Jung Institute, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1996, May).  Treating the extraverted feeling type in Jungian analysis.  Seminar presented to professional mental health counselors at the C. G. Jung Institute, Los Angeles, CA.

Elkins, D. N., & Dr. Robert Weathers  (1996, February).  Integrating the creative arts in existential psychology.  Seminar presented to the public at the meeting of the Inside Edge, Costa Mesa, CA.

Elkins, D. N., & Dr. Robert Weathers  (1996, January).  Existential issues in psychotherapy.  Professional and experiential dialogue presented to members of the Pepperdine University Psi Chi Honors Fraternity, Santa Monica, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (July, 1995).  Deepening the therapeutic relationship in the psychosocial treatment of foster families.  Seminar presented to professional mental health counselors at Olive Crest Family Services, Pasadena, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (July, 1995).  Jungian approaches to countertransference.  Seminar presented to professional mental health counselors at Arden House, Glendale, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1995, April).  Implementing short-term skills building therapy groups in an adult outpatient setting.  Seminar presented to professional mental health counselors at Verdugo Mental Health Center, Glendale, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & Robinson, G.  (1995, April).  Grounding, creativity, and resonance: Images for the optimal teaching of psychology.  Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1995, March).  Enhancing empathic attunement in the psychological treatment of the religiously committed client.  Seminar presented to professional mental health counselors at Catholic Psychological Services, Los Angeles, CA.

Elkins, D. N., & Dr. Robert Weathers  (1995, February).  Existential issues in psychotherapy: An encore.  Professional and experiential dialogue presented to members of the Pepperdine University Psi Chi Honors Fraternity, Costa Mesa, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1995, January).  Gendlin’s focusing and Jungian active imagination: A technical modification and synthesis.  Seminar presented at Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Culver City, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1995, January-March).  Improving your parenting skills.  Workshop series (8 weeks) presented to the public at Yavneh Hebrew Academy, Los Angeles, CA.

Elkins, D. N., Dr. Robert Weathers, Behrendt, L., Sugden, L. M., Brock, J. A., Walker, C. J.  (1994, August).  Toward a soulful psychology: Passion, eros, creativity, friendship, and the body.  Symposium conducted at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Los Angeles, CA.

Elkins, D. N., & Dr. Robert Weathers  (1994, April).  Existential issues in psychotherapy.  Professional and experiential dialogue presented at the Pepperdine University Psi Chi Honors Fraternity Banquet, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1994, February).  Critical realism as outcome goal in short-term outpatient psychotherapy.  Seminar presented to mental health counselors at Pepperdine Counseling Center, Malibu, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1994, January).  The psychotherapist as disciplined original presence.  Seminar presented to professional mental health counselors at Pepperdine Counseling Center, Malibu, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1993, April-June).  Prescriptive eclecticism and multidimensional empathic attunement.  Workshop series (6 weeks) presented to professional mental health counselors at Community Counseling Center, Santa Barbara, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers , & O’Neill, G.  (1992, January).  Assessing and treating the religiously committed client.  Seminar presented to professional mental health counselors at South Bay Center for Counseling, Manhattan Beach, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1991, November).  Working clinically with dreams in a hospital setting.  Seminar presented to professional psychiatric staff at Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & O’Neill, G.  (1991, November).  Young men’s issues with intimacy.  Seminar presented at Chapman University for the Orange County Catholic Archdiocese’s Annual Young Adult Conference, Orange, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & Moon, G.  (1991, June).  Spiritual disciplines in the training of contemplative psychotherapists.  Paper presented at the meeting of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, Anaheim, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1991, June).  Educators as people-helpers.  Seminar presented at Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Culver City, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, Bixler, J., & Adams, C.  (1991, April).  The inner marriage: Expanding the limits of intimacy between men and women.  Seminar presented at the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese’s Annual Young Adult Conference, Pasadena, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1991, February).  Dream analysis and interpretation with an inpatient psychiatric population.  Seminar presented to professional mental health counselors at Meadowbrook Manor, Mar Vista, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1990, December).  Dreamwork in Christian spiritual direction.  Seminar presented to elders of La Canada Presbyterian Church, La Canada, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1990, October).  What psychologists can learn from the historic pastoral care traditions: A response to Thomas Oden.  Panel discussant’s response presented at the Rech Conference on Christian Graduate Training in Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1990, October).  Intimacy: Men’s paradox. Seminar presented to the public at Our Lady of Lords Catholic Church, Northridge, CA.

Snedden, L., Dr. Robert Weathers, Hedgespeth, J., Elkins, D., & De La Rocha, O.  (1990, April).  Spirituality as a clinical issue in psychology: Curriculum implications for graduate training.  Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Los Angeles, CA.

Heaney, R., & Dr. Robert Weathers  (1990, April).  A Jungian contribution to symptom-focused family systems approaches to marital therapy.  Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Los Angeles, CA.

Snedden, L., Dr. Robert Weathers, Elkins, D., & De La Rocha, O.  (1990, April).  Mystical experience as a diagnostic issue in psychotherapy.  Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1990, March).  The real teacher: Principles for excellence in university teaching.  Keynote lecture presented at the University-Wide Faculty Conference, Pepperdine University, Oxnard, CA.

Winocur, N., & Dr. Robert Weathers  (1990, March).  The false transformational promise of cults: Archetypal dynamics.  Paper presented at the meeting of the California State Psychological Assocation, San Francisco, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1989, October).  Cross-cultural issues in psychotherapy with religiously committed clients.  Seminar presented at Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Culver City, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1989, June).  Religious issues in psychotherapy. Seminar presented at Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Culver City, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & Bixler, J.  (1989, March).  Creative discipline: Applying family systems theory to problems in church leadership.  Seminar presented to ministers’ consortium at Glendale Church of Christ, Glendale, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & Bixler, J.  (1989, February).  The stages of grief: Counseling issues related to death and dying.  Seminar presented to ministers’ consortium at Glendale Church of Christ, Glendale, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1989, January-April).  Church members as people-helpers: A training program in basic counseling skills.  Workshop series (10 weeks) presented to the public at Vaughn Street Church of Christ, San Fernando, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1988, October).  Evaluating authenticity and legitimacy in the religious experience of clients: A cross-cultural perspective.  Seminar presented at Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Culver City, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1988, October).  The intimate family: A guide to creative parenting. Workshop presented to the public at Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church, Eagle Rock, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & Barnett, O.  (1988, February).  Talent development through integrating teaching and research.  Seminar presented at the University-Wide Faculty Conference, Pepperdine University School of Law, Malibu, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1988, January).  The application of psychodynamic-developmental theory in psychotherapy.  Seminar presented at the Case Conference Seminar, Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Culver City, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1988, January).  Phenomenological methods in meditation research.  Seminar presented at Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Culver City, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & McPherson, S. E.  (1987, June).  That awkward age:  Survival skills for parents and teachers of teens.  Workshop presented to mental health professionals at the International Conference on Family Strengths, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & McPherson, S. E.  (1987, April).  Communication skills for parents and teachers of teens.  Workshop presented to public at Charter Oak Hospital, Covina, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & McPherson, S. E.  (1987, April).  How to communicate and relate to teens.  Seminar presented to mental health professionals from the Youth Services Network, Charter Oak Hospital, Covina, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1987, January).  Counseling issues with the adult children of alcoholics.  Seminar presented to the public at City Terrace Mennonite Church, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & Wolter, C.  (1986, April).  What is the role of psychotherapy for our clients?.  In-service training workshop presented to mental health professionals at Pasadena Children’s Training Society, Pasadena, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1986, January).  How can we help our clients solve problems?: A review of basic helping skills.  In-service training workshop presented to mental health professionals at Pasadena Children’s Training Society, Pasadena, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1986, January).  Crisis intervention: Assessment of patient contact.  In-service training seminar for predoctoral clinical psychology practicum students presented at Pasadena Children’s Training Society, Pasadena, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1985, December).  Why the holidays bring cheer and the blues: Understanding human behavior.  In-service training workshop presented to mental health professionals at Pasadena Children’s Training Society, Pasadena, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1985, October).  Philosophy of child care.  In-service training workshop presented to mental health professionals at Pasadena Children’s Training Society, Pasadena, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1985, August).  Meditation, altered states, and unpleasant experiences:  A structural-developmental analysis.  Paper presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1985, August).  Meditation, altered states, and unpleasant experiences: A literature review.  Paper presented at the meeting of the Association for Transpersonal Psychology, Monterey, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1985, June).  Contemplative prayer and the training of Christian psychotherapists.  Paper presented at the meeting of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies—Western Region, San Diego, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & Cadow, B.  (1985, April).  Dealing with depressed/ suicidal students.  Workshop presented to Security Cadets, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1985, April).  Stress management.  Workshop presented to University Student Group, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & Hay, N.  (1985, March).  Active listening skills.  Workshop presented to Health Advocates, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, Cohen, L., & Jackson, L.  (1985, January).  The dating game: Building relationship skills.  Workshop presented to University Student Group, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1984, November).  Counseling interventions with step-family systems.  Seminar presented to Lay Counseling Program, La Canada Presbyterian Church, La Canada, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & Hay, N.  (1984, October).  Active listening skills.  Workshop presented to Health Advocates, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers, & Lerman, C.  (1984, September).  Assessment of lethality in suicidal clients.  Seminar presented at Office of Residential Life, University of Southern California, Los Angeles,

CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1984, July).  Self, human will, and religious experience:  A psychologist looks at Christian spirituality.  Paper presented at the meeting of the Association for Transpersonal Psychology, Monterey, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1984, June).  Patient commitment in the psychotherapeutic process:  A Kierkegaardian analysis.  Paper presented at the meeting of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies—Western Region, Buena Park, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1984, March).  Meditating on the breath:  A stress management exercise.  Workshop presented to Parent Education Group, Anaheim Child Guidance Center, Anaheim, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1984, February).  Locus of control and attention differences in the aging process.  In J. D. Guy (Chair), Psychology and the life process.  Symposium conducted at the meeting of the California State Psychological Association, Irvine, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1984, January).  Improving parent-child communication.  Workshop presented to Parent Education Group, Anaheim Child Guidance Center, Anaheim, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1983, June).  On understanding the mystery of suffering:  A comparison of Catholic existentialism and Zen Buddhism.  Paper presented at the meeting of the Association for Transpersonal Psychology, Monterey, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1983, May).  Beyond the demonic dualisms:  A psychologist looks at Bonhoeffer’s Ethics.  Paper presented at the meeting of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies—Western Region, Boulder Creek, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1983, May).  Self-responsibility in educating the chronically mentally ill:  An application of the therapeutic community model.  In J. J. Fog (Chair), Innovations in the treatment of the chronically mentally ill.  Symposium conducted at the meeting of the International Association of Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Services, Santa Monica, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1983, April).  Promoting the client as change agent in community-based treatment.  In D. A. Jarvis (Chair), Breaking with tradition: Evolution of a community-based day therapy program.  Symposium conducted at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1983, March-April).  To talk or not to talk:  A humane approach to intergenerational communication.  Workshop series (5 weeks) presented to the public at the Bellflower Presbyterian Church, Bellflower, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1982, June).  Workshops in a church-based day treatment setting.  In J. J. Fog (Chair), Partnership in the community:  Linking community mental health and local church involvement.  Symposium conducted at the meeting of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies—Western Region, Portland, OR.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1982, June).  Suffering, justice, and worldview:  A structural-developmental understanding.  Paper presented at the meeting of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies—Western Region, Portland, OR.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1982, April).  Workshops and in-vivo training in a day treatment setting.  In J. J. Fog (Chair), Linking community resources to serve chronically mentally ill adults.  Symposium conducted at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Sacramento, CA.

Dr. Robert Weathers  (1980, June).  Dualism or holism?:  A look at biblical anthropology and practical implications.  Paper presented at the meeting of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies—Western Region, Badger, CA.

 

Dr. Robert Weathers – Website

http://drbobweathers.com/

Dr. Bob Weathers – Visit my Website

http://drbobweathers.com/

About Dr. Bob Weathers

ABOUT DR. BOB WEATHERS

Career Mission

Known to my clients and students as “Dr. Bob,” I have committed the past 30 years of my professional life to providing counseling and life coaching to individuals, along with teaching and training graduate-level mental health providers at several southern California universities.

Professional Qualifications

I hold a PhD in Clinical Psychology and a Masters of Arts in Religious Studies from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology, Pasadena.  Over my professional career, I have provided tens of thousands of hours of counseling and life coaching to clients.

Spiritual Approach

One area of career-long passion for me centers around holistic approaches to counseling and life coaching—where the entire spectrum of human experience, from body to mind to soul and spirit, is drawn upon for its resources and nourishing contributions to healthful living. Related to this area of career interest and expertise, I have published numerous articles in a broad cross-section of professional books, journals, and edited volumes.

Creative Expression

Along with my vocational pursuits, I have maintained an active, lifelong involvement in music; including performing locally as a jazz, rock, and ethnic drummer and percussionist. Related to this artistic passion, I have regularly applied my having studied popular and ethnic drumming for over forty years by performing and lecturing widely, to both professional and general public audiences, on the connection between musical creativity, personal spiritual development, and emotional well-being.

About Dr. Bob

ABOUT DR. BOB

Career Mission

Known to my clients and students as “Dr. Bob,” I have committed the past 30 years of my professional life to providing counseling and life coaching to individuals, along with teaching and training graduate-level mental health providers at several southern California universities.

Professional Qualifications

I hold a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and a Masters of Arts in Religious Studies from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology, Pasadena.  Over my professional career, I have provided tens of thousands of hours of counseling and life coaching to clients. 

Spiritual Approach

One area of career-long passion for me centers around holistic approaches to counseling and life coaching—where the entire spectrum of human experience, from body to mind to soul and spirit, is drawn upon for its resources and nourishing contributions to healthful living. Related to this area of career interest and expertise, I have published numerous articles in a broad cross-section of professional books, journals, and edited volumes.

Creative Expression

Along with my vocational pursuits, I have maintained an active, lifelong involvement in music; including performing locally as a jazz, rock, and ethnic drummer and percussionist. Related to this artistic passion, I have regularly applied my having studied popular and ethnic drumming for over forty years by performing and lecturing widely, to both professional and general public audiences, on the connection between musical creativity, personal spiritual development, and emotional well-being.