Authors: Carolyn Perry
Year: 2019
Event: 2019 TheMHS Conference
Subject: Perspective Enhancement Therapy: A Holistic Framework for Mental Health
Type of resource: Conference Presentations and Papers
Abstract:
Biography:
Carolyn is a Mental Health Social Worker /meditation teacher in private practice in Laidley. She has facilitated a well-being hub for mental health in a rural area combining a range of modalities. These include focused psychological strategies, yoga, meditation, health programs, group therapy, reiki and shiatsu to promote community well-being.
This presentation will provide mental health practitioners with an overview of the framework of Perspective Enhancement Therapy which was inspired by the concept of therapeutic landscapes.
It will demonstrate how 4 key domains of life (sense of self, relationships, environment and activities of every day life) can be mapped on a continuum from disillusionment to having an enhanced perspective on life. In each domain, 11 key concepts are mapped to client well-being and therapeutic approaches are then matched to the domain/s in the clients life that require most attention.
The methodology for the development of this framework in based on grounded theory with the notion that principles for enhanced mental health must go beyond the medical paradigm into the fields of hospitality, well-being and natural therapies to fully capture ideas such as rejuvenation, replenishment, transformation and healing.
Tools have been developed for therapists to utilise the framework. These include a perspective enhancement questionnaire, a meditation CD, a set of therapeutic cards and a facilitators manual and participant handbook around how to deliver a Perspective Enhancement Therapy Group.
Reflections around using the framework in individual and group work practice will also be shared.
Learning Objectives
Learning Objective 1: Participants will gain an understanding of how Perspective Enhancement Therapy can be applied in practice to encourage a language of wellness.
Learning Objective 2: Participants will become aware of additional resources and tools that they can utilised combining which combine cognitive and experiential techniques to promote mental health and well-being.
References
Gesler. W. (1991) The cultural geography of health care. Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh University Press
Williams, A. (1999) Therapeutic landscapes: The dynamic between place and wellness. New York: University of America Press.
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