Live Workshop: How to Effectively Help Someone in Spiritual Emergency 

For 20 people--only.  Event space is the Pavilion belonging to the Krishnamurti Foundation of America...looking down the Ojai Valley--a veritable Shangri-la   

Spiritual Emergency: a crisis in which a person is so disoriented by spiritual experiences  that he/she can no longer function well. These natural events are universal and have a vast positive potential but there is little acknowledgement of them in Western culture. Emma Bragdon, PhD, an expert in the field, shares theory and practical tools so you can effectively help a person in spiritual emergency.

“I enthusiastically recommend attending Dr. Bragdon's workshop, “Effective Help for Someone in Spiritual Emergency”. Her many years as a psychotherapist, healer, scholar and presenter shine through as she presents her life’s work, creating many rewarding opportunities for expansive professional and personal enrichment...She will expand your horizons with wisely considered therapeutic interventions and ways to support clients, friends or loved ones during spiritual crisis or awakening.”---Ted Esser, Ph.D., Faculty at Sofia University and Director of the Spiritual Emergence Network

Those in Spiritual Emergency are not only often disoriented by intense spiritual experiences but can be inundated by personal issues  that are simultaneously demanding resolution, e.g. past trauma.  The result:  the person experiencing the crisis can no longer function well at work or within relationships.  However, if the crisis is managed with appropriate support, the positive potential is more peace and clarity, improved functioning and creativity, and more wisdom and compassion.  The crisis may, in fact, be a kind of initiation, or invitation, to a calling of being in service to others.

Catalysts for this crisis include spiritual practices like yoga and meditation, or other factors like fasting, trauma, grief, recreational drugs, near death experience, or even one’s gifts of intuition, or a natural, evolutionary unfolding.

The symptoms of this crisis are often confused with symptoms of psychosis or other mental illness. In this case, the experiencer will likely be treated with psychiatric drugs.  Unfortunately, over time this protocol can harm the person in spiritual crisis, so a different kind of protocol for managing the crisis is usually advised.  

 You will learn:

• To recognize spiritual experiences and be appropriately supportive
• To  understand when psychotherapy and medical care can facilitate the positive potential in these transformational crises...and which kind of help is most appropriate
• To explore the value of "being with" as opposed to "fixing"
• The 13 different patterns in which transformational crises often manifest
• The 7 catalysts of transformational crises--(including the daily news)
• How your story has prepared you to help others
• The challenges & the joys in supporting a person in spiritual emergency
• How these crises are effectively  recognized and managed in Brazil and India
• Contact information/ current information for resources of support worldwide

You will also have the opportunity to understand and practice therapeutic interventions that are most beneficial to a person in spiritual emergency.

Dr. Bragdon seasons her presentations with humor and personal stories.  You will likely feel enriched by the information and more at peace through the practical application of methods used in Brazil and India to optimize wellbeing.  There will be a limited number of participants, only 20,  due to the size of the venue."

          “... I would like to commend you on the variety and scope of material for the professional, as well                            as the general public… It became apparent early on that this course was formed with a tremendous                    amount of forethought and desire to bring forth a comprehensive understanding of our mental health                  system that is not readily available elsewhere.” –Linda Willerton, former participant

          "...what I think I appreciated most was that the course validated my spiritual experience as being                          essential to my "recovery".”  Laurence Corman, Montreal, Canada

          " Emma Bragdon is an amazing person, teacher, guide and a full spring of information. I have had the                  opportunity of taking a 4 week course with her online and it was amazing!"                                                                                                                                                            –Martha Flaherty, massage therapist

Facilitator Bio:

Emma Bragdon, PhD (Transpersonal Psychology) is the author of seven books and co-producer of two documentary films, and the Founder/Director of Integrative Mental Health for You.  Dr. Bragdon is most well known for the seminal books she originally published on Spiritual Emergency in 1987, 1990, and updated in the past few years.  Her most recent books about Spiritism in Brazil have gained rave reviews.  She was a volunteer for the Grof’s Spiritual Emergency Network from 1984-1991. She was licensed as a psychotherapist in 1988 and has expanded that practice by also teaching, publishing, and being a spiritual guide—as well as dancing!  www.EmmaBragdon.com, IMHU.org

Audience: Psychologists, social workers, psychotherapists, nurses, peer counselors and those caring for people in spiritual emergency…Also those exploring a more integrative approach to optimal mental health.  Continuing education units are available. See below.

Format: slide presentation of theory, discussion, self-reflection, practical application via experiential exercises.

Number of Participants/ Location: On Saturday and Sunday we will have the use of the Pavilion at the Krishnamurti Foundation of America, where there is ample space for 20 particpants.  On Monday, an additional day for those seeking certification as a Spiritual Emergence Coach, we will meet at Spirit House, in the same neighborhood.  Spirit House retreat center has a large meeting space that accommodates 15 people.  It has lovely grounds, including a swimming pool, and backs up to the Los Padres National Forest with hiking trails.

Meals: Enjoy a free catered vegetarian lunch onsite Saturday, Sunday and Monday. 

Weather: Temperatures in January are usually in the mid-70s during the day and can be in the 40s at night.  

Travel by Air/ Train/Bus/Car: You can fly into Santa Barbara and rent a car at the airport or come by Amtrak train to Ventura, CA on the Pacific Surfliner before renting a car or taking a  bus.  Travel time to Ojai by car from Santa Barbara is approximately 40-60 minutes.  From Ventura the drive is about 20-30minutes.  Bus by goldcoasttransit.org takes about 50 minutes.  We will send you a map to the location after you register.

Accommodations: There are a limited number of sleeping places on site (5 beds) at a discount price for those who want to spend the night onsite.  These rooms have been taken.  For additional ideas: We recommend Air BnB or local hotels/motels and BnBs for alternative sleeping arrangements.  There are numerous restaurants in Ojai for breakfast and dinner.  

Sponsor: Integrative Mental Health for You, IMHU.org

Continuing Education Credits are available. Let us know on registration if you are interested in CEs.  info@IMHU.org

Certificates: IMHU will offer certificates of completion for those who complete the weekend seminar.  

Certification as a Spiritual Emergence Coach (SEC)  can be earned by staying one extra day, February 1, on location to go into the practical aspects of this work in greater depth, including guidelines for hosting support groups as well as assisting individuals.  Cost for this extra day is $195.    Write us for more information: info@IMHU.org.  We will send you an application form to apply for certification along with our policies, procedures and regulations for your review.

Fee:  $295. for January 30+31st.  Add $195 for the extra day.  You may pay with credit card via paypal, or with paypal if you have an account with them. You may also pay by check.  If you are finanically challenged and still want to come, we may be able to provide a partial scholarship.  Let us know: info@IMHU.org

Please be aware this workshop is limited to 15 participants on Monday and 20 on the weekend.

Register Now!