Professional Training:

Orientations
Introductory Trainings
Intermediate Trainings
Advanced Trainings
Advanced Bodywork

Testimonials

“I feel lucky and inspired to have my work as a therapist informed by the teachings of Wilhelm Reich. It bridges the huge gap I feel is often left unaddressed by other theories. Supervision with Drs. Blasband and Frisch is thought-provoking and challenging. The breadth and depth of their experience brings a high level of inspired dialogue and training to the supervision. I always leave with a renewed aliveness and commitment to bring to my client sessions. Probably the single most meaningful aspect to the supervision for me is honing in on the skills required to deepen the contact in the relationship between client and therapist, and the healing that comes from that unique connection. Both Dr. Frisch and Dr. Blasband are exquisitely attuned to the necessity of this connection and at providing the training in supervision to help us access this connection with our own clients.”
– Adrienne Hart,
   MFT intern
   San Rafael, CA

“As a psychiatrist, I deal mostly with the medical model in mental health. While this system describes, in great detail ,various clinical syndromes, the actual concept of mental health remains conspicuously vague (an absence of symptoms, perhaps). By contrast, experiencing the group work of Drs. Frisch and Blasband, I am introduced again to the powerful dynamics of the psyche that are hiding under the veneer of normalcy. The awesome clinical experience of the group leaders; their effortless grasp of the emotional truth in every moment of work – this is what makes this process so intensely transformative. Their clarity of perception, intuitive understanding of emotional meaning, and sharp intellect, are carried by compassionate support and profound commitment to one’s therapeutic process. A very welcome and much needed addition to the formal training of a mental health worker indeed.”

– Igor Weisz, M.D.
   Mill Valley, CA

Feedback from our
2007-2008 Clinical Training Program for Professionals

"Dr. Frisch's decades of experience, her case management practices, and her knowledge of character analysis, Reich's theories, Masterson's theories, Jung's theories, and the business of therapy - as well as her enthusiasm for the work - is always present. Her development of the workshop material and her ability to dynamically adjust is masterful."

"The most valuable parts of this training were the experiences when character structure filled out into structures of humans, and discovering what this looks like in myself and others I know - and this wasn't just theoretical."

"It was a great learning opportunity to use our own private material so that we could understand how to do tracking and think about the most effective interventions." "I found the role-playing, experiential work, clinical supervision and clinical coaching all very effective teaching methods."

"Dr. Blasband's years of experience, command of Orgonomic Therapy, and his direct connection to the legacy of Wilehlm Reich is incredibly valuable. His presentation of didactic material is always rich and generally accessible."

"It was very valuable to learn HOW to read my clients better, how to respond better, and what in me is in the way of both of these processes."

"After each training with Dr. Frisch and Dr. Blasband, I experience a renewed, fresh ability to work with patients."

"As a result of this training, I find that I am a lot more observant of clients and their physical state and facade. I want to take more risks with my responses in order to increase client contact and resonance."

"Both Drs. Frisch and Blasband have patience and non-judgemental attitudes with each of our learning processes. I felt very fortunate to have been engaged in this learning experience with them."

Professional Training in Wilhelm Reich's Orgonomic Bio-Psychotherapy
Be the Instrument of Change

As professionals, we are forever seeking better answers to the essential therapeutic challenge: How do we best help our clients/patients escape the restrictive conditioning of their past and reclaim their vital, joyful lives? Reichian/Orgonomic therapy is a powerful strategy that allows us to work both verbally and biophysically to directly alter the cellular memory bank of the body and dissolve negative patterns that manifest as personality distortions.

The Orgonomic Institute of Northern California trains physicians, clinical psychologists, and other qualified licensed mental health professionals in the principles and practice of Medical Orgonomy, Orgonomic Bio-psychotherapy, and character-analysis. Our Training includes:   • Education in the principles of character development   • Treatment of chronic personality disorders   • Stress reduction through mind-body emotional and biophysical release   • Restoring bio-physical heath

Reich on the inextricable link between body and mind: “Just as all emotions and reactions in life spring from and correspond to organ sensations and expressive movements; just as the living organism forms ideas of its surrounding world from impressions it derives from the expressions of the world around it; so all emotions, reactions and ideas of the armored organism are conditioned by its own state of motility and expression.“

Orgonomic Therapy gives us an understanding of how survival styles become rigidified as defenses/character styles that permeate deep within our entire biological system. Recent advances in neuroscience demonstrate that our earliest attachment experiences in infancy radically affect the development of the brain with major ramifications on our entire ability to function. The mind/body connection is profound and as professionals we can intervene to repair the ruptures in self-regulation that occur at the deepest levels.

Training in character analysis involves:

	•	Recognizing the ways in which the various character types present themselves
	•	Diagnostic criteria
	•	Therapeutic strategies
	•	Facilitating characteranalytic group process for small groups and larger workshops

Reich's theory connects the functional identity of the character structure with the individual physical/energetic system. His typology of segmental muscular armoring is presented along with a treatment approach to the attendant energy problems and symptoms affecting all aspects of physical functioning. Deep massage, facilitation of natural respiration, and other interventions assist the release of muscular armoring and open the body to full energetic functioning.

Clinicians are the instrument of change. The training insists that to facilitate deep psychological work with others, clinicians must face their own personal material. Our therapeutic skill depends on our honest self-awareness and emotional/energetic openness. Our trainings are an opportunity to confront barriers to deep contactful relationship with clients. If we are our authentic self with obvious freedom, we will catalyze our clients. These character analytic techniques, elicitation of negative transference and work on body armor demand even greater inner knowledge and flexibility of ego on the part of the therapist. This training will address those aspects of trainees' character structure that stand in the way of these qualities.

Dr. Blasband on verbal precision: “In my 45 years of training and experience as a therapist, I have found that the precise words addressed to the patient's character has more effect than any other intervention including work on the muscular armoring. These words may be rendered seriously, with humor, wittingly or unwittingly, depending upon the situation, the state of the patient, and the proclivities and structure of the therapist.“ Our trainings are an intensive, confrontational, personally demanding process for those who wish to learn and experience this analytic/somatic approach to treatment. Challenging parts of the workshop are balanced with times of relaxation, playfulness, and humor. Mastery of the verbal character-analytic technique is a prerequisite to advanced theoretical and experiential work on releasing muscular armoring, the restoration of natural breathing, energy activation, and affective release. Back to Top

Our 2009 Schedule of Classes

We are offering a rich curriculum for 2009 including short Orientations, plus Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced trainings.

The “working therapist” has a challenging profession. Many find themselves entrenched in treatment protocols that are stagnant or fail to produce desired results. We believe clinicians can invigorate their approach and bring new vitality to their work. True excitement – and transformation - lies in traversing a path of continual inspiration, learning, and creativity.

We would like to expose more clinicians and graduate students to the important contributions Wilhelm Reich made to clinical practice. He was a master at character interventions that could quickly and deeply facilitate patient break-through, allowing them to make contact with their authentic self and their core feelings. Reich’s characteranalysis is a skill that allows maximum efficiency in interventions and moves the patient beyond their facade and into profound honesty. Some therapists, when they are first introduced to the theory and practice of Orgonomic Therapy, see it as a bit “out of the box” in its spontaneous, liberating style. Orgonomic Therapy’s unique approach is an effective antidote for the compelling, deadening counter pull of patients’ habitual homeostasis. As therapists, we need to move from stale interventions to meaningful exchange. We teach this method of character intervention because of its great effectiveness.

Wilhelm Reich is often credited with being the father of somatic therapies. Most mental health professionals practice verbal analytic therapy but few clinicians are trained to include somatic interventions to facilitate patients in releasing the deep-seated affect and habitual muscular holding that lead to chronic stress-related symptoms and disease. The mind/body connection is real and as professionals we can intervene to repair the ruptures in self-regulation that occur at the deepest levels. Recent advances in neuroscience demonstrate that our earliest attachment experiences in infancy radically affect the development of the brain with major ramifications on our entire ability to function.

The theory and practice of Masterson’s object relations and Jung’s current research/theory in early attachment issues will be integrated into Reich’s approach.

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Orientations:

Integrating Somatic Psychology into Current Therapeutic Paradigms Breaking Through Patient Resistance

Costs: $50 each. Register for both at $40 each (if paid by 2/6/09). Students wishing CE credit, must pay an additional $10 certificate fee. Call 415-388-0622 or email assist@orgonomictherapy.com with questions or to enroll.

CE Credit: These courses meet the qualifications for 3 hours per course of continuing education credit for MFTs and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 15245 for 3 contact hours.

Prerequisites: None

Download our Orientations PDF Flyer here.

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Introductory Trainings:

Introductory trainings are for professionals who wish to begin training in Reichian analysis. Introductory trainings are formatted as small group 4-hour tutorials and are scheduled as interest warrants. Please contact us if you are interested in being notified when an Introductory tutorial training is scheduled. Introductory classes are required before taking more advanced trainings.

Introduction #1: Fundamentals of Wilhelm Reich & Masterson's Setting the Frame Introduction #2: Diagnosis: Orgnonomy and Character Analysis – Working with Presenting Style, an Inroad into Defense Introduction #3: Diagnosis: Disorders of the Self

Costs: Please request our Training Program Details Packet for tuition and policy information. Call 415-388-0622 or email assist@orgonomictherapy.com.

CE Credit: These courses meet the qualification for 4 hours of continuing education credit per course for MFTs and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 15245 for 4 contact hours.

Prerequisites: Students must be mental health professionals, such as MFT, LCSW, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, or graduate students in a graduate program leading to licensure in these fields. We also invite health care professionals, such as nurses, to join us.

Tutorials: For Tutorial prices and policies, please download our informational pdf.

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Intermediate Trainings

2-Day / 14-Hour Intermediate Trainings

Intermediate Training: Working Outside the Box Intermediate Training: Working the Therapeutic Relationship Intermediate Training: Middle Phase of Treatment

Costs: Please request our Training Program Details Packet for tuition and policy information. Call 415-388-0622 or email assist@orgonomictherapy.com.

CE Credit: These courses meet the qualification for 14 hours of continuing education credit per course for MFTs and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 15245 for 14 contact hours.

Prerequisites: Students must have completed sufficient introductory training through the Institute to enroll in the Intermediate Trainings. Instructor approval required.

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Intermediate trainings are formatted as small group 4-hour tutorials and are scheduled as interest warrants. Please contact us if you are interested in being notified when an Intermediate tutorial training is scheduled. Intermediate classes are required before taking more advanced trainings.

Intermediate Training: Differential Diagnosis: Reich and Masterson Intermediate Training: Growing the Self: Reich, Masterson, and Jung

Costs: Please request our Training Program Details Packet for tuition and policy information. Call 415-388-0622 or email assist@orgonomictherapy.com.

CE Credit: These courses meet the qualification for 4 hours of continuing education credit per course for MFTs and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 15245 for 4 contact hours.

Prerequisites: Students must have completed sufficient introductory training through the Institute to enroll in the Intermediate Trainings. Instructor approval required.

Tutorials: For Tutorial prices and policies, please download our informational pdf.

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Advanced Training

Advanced Training: Working Through Phase: Abandonment Depression and Falling Apart Advanced Training: Characteranalytic Couples Therapy Advanced Training: Characteranalytic Group Therapy Advanced Training: Discovery of the Self in Individuation and Transformation

Costs: Please request our Training Program Details Packet for tuition and policy information. Call 415-388-0622 or emailassist@orgonomictherapy.com.

CE Credit: These courses meet the qualification for 7 hours of continuing education credit per course for MFTs and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 15245 for 7 contact hours.

Prerequisites: Students must have completed sufficient intermediate training through the Institute to enroll in the Advanced Trainings. Instructor approval required.

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Advanced Bodywork Training

Advanced Bodywork Training #1 Advanced Bodywork Training #2 Advanced Bodywork Training #3 Advanced Bodywork Training #4

Costs: Please request our Training Program Details Packet for tuition and policy information. Call 415-388-0622 or email assist@orgonomictherapy.com.

CE Credit: These courses meet the qualification for 7 hours of continuing education credit per course for MFTs and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 15245 for 7 contact hours.

Prerequisites: By Instructor Invitation only.

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Training Program Listed by Date

Instructors

Instructors: Patricia R. Frisch, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Orgonomic Institute of Northern California and Richard Blasband, M.D. [link to his profile on About Us Page] Adjunct Faculty. Dr. Frisch, an orgonomic therapist, has decades of experience in private practice and group therapy. Dr. Blasband was trained as an orgonomic physician by Elsworth Baker, M.D. who was appointed by Reich to train psychiatrists. Learn more about Drs. Frisch, Blasband, and the Orgonomic Institute of Northern California by clicking here.

General Information

To receive detailed program descriptions with tuition, policy, and other information, or to request an Enrollment Application: Contact The Orgonomic Institute of Northern California at 415-388-0622 or email assist@orgonomictherapy.com.

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Professional Supervision
Mill Valley, California

The Orgonomic Institute of Northern California is currently conducting group clinical supervision of cases for graduate students and licensed professionals in the principles of character analysis and theory, and techniques of psychodynamic psychotherapy.  This supervisory group meets approximately once per month. Through the use of didactic lectures/discussion, case analysis, and supervision, students will become familiar with character-analytic techniques and how they can be utilized in their practices. Learn potent, effective interventions that will quickly change your clients' results. Professional supervisory sessions are conducted by Dr. Patricia Frisch, Executive Director, and Dr. Richard Blasband, Adjunct Faculty. Meetings occur in Marin County, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Interested parties should call 415-388-0622 to schedule an interview.

Our 2009 Supervision Schedule:

Dr. Frisch  also conducts private, hourly supervision sessions available to graduate students, interns, and licensed professionals. Those interested should contact Dr. Frisch at 415-388-0622 or pfrisch@pacbell.net.

Recent Past Workshops:

	•	The Fundamentals of Wilhelm Reich's Orgonomic Therapy  - Be the Instrument of Change: Facade to Self

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