Existential Dialogue: In Search between Bárbara Godoy & Prof E. Spinelli

A phenomenological method for existential seekers.

One of the ten live dialogues between Prof Ernesto Spinelli and International Existential Therapists which clearly illustrate their own personal journey intertwined with the method of the investigation. We are looking to highlight the role of the researcher as an existential seeker.

“I will describe examples from my work with groups since 1997 that illustrate a method to embody existential insight that borrows from the performing arts and it is influenced by Gestalt, Psychodrama and other theatrical/physical therapeutic approaches. Enacting is an opportunity to make a statement that becomes an existential action. It can gather the possibilities-of-Being articulating choices and intentions in the flow, and can offer a testimony at the point of convergence of the rational and the life impulse. Through metaphor and embodiment we drop sedimentations in the personality and we interrupt the continuity and the assumptions of the personal narrative of the everyday. This approach bypasses the structure of formal language to tap into metaphors that can describe and communicate to oneself and in a social context the complexity of the existential experience. Theatre enables the flesh of tragedy and comedy to come into presence and allows the individual to rehearse new possibilities of being with others.” Bárbara Godoy

Bárbara Godoy M.A., Adv. Dip. Exi. Psy, UKCP accredited Psychotherapist and Supervisor, MBACP and SEA – Director of Therapy Harley Street. Bárbara’s academic experience in London since 2008 includes lecturing and researching on the theory and practice of Phenomenological Existential Therapy on Doctorate, MA and professional courses at the School of Psychotherapy and Counselling Psychology, Regent’s University and the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling directed by Emmy van Deurzen. Bárbara has facilitated therapeutic Group Work internationally since 1997. The question about the meaning of Being-Woman was the topic of her thesis completed in 2005 and evolved into two main Women’s Groups: “Nine muses” and “Four Seasons” which she leads in addition to her individual private practice. Currently, as the clinical director of THS, Bárbara leads a team of over 20 professional practitioners in the area of Psychological services and Wellbeing consultancy. Bárbara is also the founder-director of THS’s Personal Development and CPD Programmes.

Professor Ernesto Spinelli was Chair of the Society for Existential Analysis between 1993 and 1999 and is a Life Member of the Society. His writings, lectures and seminars focus on the application of existential phenomenology to the arenas of therapy, supervision, psychology, and executive coaching. He is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS) as well as an APECS accredited executive coach and coaching supervisor. In 2000, he was the Recipient of BPS Division of Counselling Psychology Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Profession. And in 2019, Ernesto received the BPS Award for Distinguished Contribution to Practice. His most recent book, Practising Existential Therapy: The Relational World 2nd edition (Sage, 2015) has been widely praised as a major contribution to the advancement of existential theory and practice. Living up to the existential dictum that life is absurd, Ernesto is also the author of an on-going series of Private Eye novels.

Date and Time: Saturday 14 December from 2 pm to 3 pm – UK time)

Individual Dialogue Fee: £40

Venue: Online Zoom

FULL PROGRAMME 2024:

Ten Saturdays 2 pm to 3 pm (UK time)

27 Jan. “Placebo” with Prof Ernesto Spinelli and Barbara Godoy

24 Feb. “Reflexivity” with Prof Carla Willig and Prof Ernesto Spinelli

23 March “Homecoming” with Prof R. Romanyshyn and Prof Ernesto Spinelli

27 April “Ungraspable” with Dr Todd Dubose and Prof Ernesto Spinelli

18 May “Homelessness” with Dr Greg Madison and Prof Ernesto Spinelli

22 Jun. “Psychedelics” with Dr Yaqui Martinez and Prof Ernesto Spinelli

20 Jul. “Anxiety” with Prof Kirk Schneider and Prof Ernesto Spinelli

26 Oct. “Intentionality” with Dr Betty Cannon and Prof Ernesto Spinelli

23 Nov. “Vulnerability” with Prof Simon du Plock and Prof Ernesto Spinelli

12 Dec. “Enacting” with Bárbara Godoy and Prof Ernesto Spinelli

Read the full programme here >

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