GORDON'S REFLECTIONS ON THE UPCOMING COURSE ON ADOLESCENCE

GORDON NEUFELD

Editor’s note: Gordon will be joining us for a support session in the upcoming course, Making Sense of Adolescence Part I: Seven Rites of Passage, being offered in January 2023. See Scheduled Online Classes below for details.


Adolescence envelops us! From the youth culture that dominates today's society and the failed rites of passage that remain as unfinished business for many adults, to the presence of adolescents themselves in our homes and classrooms and apprehensions we have in anticipation of parenting or teaching them, the dynamics and issues of adolescence affect us all. 

 

It would be a difficult dance even if adolescent dynamics were well understood; instead, we seem to be lacking this intuitive wisdom. What was, up until a century or two ago at least, a short bridge between childhood and adulthood, has in recent times become as long again in years as childhood itself. Without the thousands of years typically required for cultural wisdom to evolve, confusion reigns. Added to this are the incredible myths – presumed to be enlightened - that are rooted in this confusion. Two assumptions in particular, blind us to adolescent dynamics and skew our interactions accordingly. The first myth is that adolescence is primarily about individuation and independence, despite significant evidence to the contrary. The second myth is that healthy development requires that adolescents replace their parents and other adult responsible for them, with their peers. Our blind adherence to these myths keeps us from becoming the parents, teachers, grandparents and counsellors, who our adolescents so desperately need. 

 

Hence the course. It was the very first course of mine that was successfully filmed and made into a DVD, now some 20 years ago. The material - organized around seven rites of passage - has stood the test of time, with some additional material on feelings and play being added to the fourth edition. The course has been well received by thousands of educators and counsellors, but in my mind, was always meant for every adult, as adolescence does indeed envelop us. This course can be used to make sense of one's own adolescence, to identify the unfinished business of adolescence, to prepare for parenting or teaching or working with adolescents, to make sense of adolescence more generally in our culture, and of course, to help the adolescents in our care successfully navigate the rites of passage to become mature adults.  

NEW EDITORIAL

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

BY LISA WEINER & NEUFELD FACULTY


This Winter, as the light dwindles in the Northern hemisphere and winter holidays approach, we here at the Neufeld Institute – faculty members and facilitators -would once again like to offer the gift of stories to you. This batch of holiday stories, our third annual collection, features stories about the incredible power of intentional togetherness. Deliberate and preserved family time has the power to transcend changing circumstances (Tamara), the power to connect in spite of the daily ups and downs (Bree) and, finally, in Karen’s story, we can witness the power of loving ritual to transcend even the greatest separation we ever face.


CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THIS EDITORIAL...

What's included with a Scheduled Online Class registration?
In addition to a weekly live class with a Neufeld faculty member, you receive a 4-month study pass (or 8 months for Intensive courses) to our Virtual Campus featuring Dr. Neufeld's video material, discussion forums, study guides, supplementary resources, and much more. Participants view Dr. Neufeld's recorded presentations prior to the scheduled support session with a faculty member. 

Class recordings
Not able to attend the live class due to a scheduling conflict? No problem! Classes are recorded so you can catch up later in the week when it works best for you.

Making Sense of Adolescence Part I:

Seven Rites of Passage

Anchored by Robin Brooks-Sherriff & Lisa Weiner

Mondays from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm Pacific

January 9 to March 13, 2023

$275| Runs for 10 weeks

10% early-bird discount until January 3, 2023

Use PROMO CODE 727004

DVD SPECIAL 50% OFF - Purchase the Adolescence DVD with course registration for $37.50 (reg $75.00)


REGISTER HERE

Making Sense of Marriage

Anchored by Michele Maurer

Fridays from 10:00 to 11:00 am Pacific

January 13 to March 24, 2023

$300 | Runs for 11 weeks

10% early-bird discount until January 6, 2023

Use PROMO CODE 729004

Partners who register at the same time are eligible for 50% discount off the second registration.


REGISTER HERE

Intensive II: The Separation Complex

Prerequisite: Intensive I

Anchored by Genevieve Schreier

Thursdays from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm Pacific

February 2 to May 25, 2023

$750 | Runs for 17 weeks


REGISTER HERE

Making Sense of Adolescence Part II:

Adolescence and Sexuality

Prerequisite: Making Sense of Adolescence Part I

Anchored by Robin Brooks-Sherriff & Lisa Weiner

Mondays from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm Pacific

March 20 to April 17, 2023

$150| Runs for 4 weeks

10% early-bird discount until March 13, 2023

Use PROMO CODE 728004

DVD SPECIAL 50% OFF - Purchase the Adolescence & Sexuality DVD with course registration for $25.00 (regular $50.00)


REGISTER HERE

We've had lots of inquires about this course and we are pleased to offer the heads-up that we will be offering Making Sense of Therapy in fall 2023!

Led by Tamara Strijack

Beginning at the end of September 2023

Thursday mornings

Details to come, stay tuned!


Please note the prerequisites for this course:

Intensive II, The Science of Emotion, and The Play Series: Play 101, Play & Attachment, Play & Emotion


Intensive III and Making Sense of Adolescence Part I are recommended but not required


FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE COURSE HERE


HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS

Closed December 24-28, 30, 31, January 1-2

Limited hours December 29, January 3-6

For urgent requests, use our Inquiries feature or email our office.


Catch up on newsletters you've missed by visiting our Archived Newsletters page.

Neufeld Institute | 604-263-4278 | www.neufeldinstitute.org

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