58th Annual PCA Conference

Name: Working With Your Body, Not Against It: A Gestalt Approach to Depression
Start: 2026-11-06T17:30:00-0500
End: 2026-11-06T18:00:00-0500

Working With Your Body, Not Against It: A Gestalt Approach to Depression

Friday November 6, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EST

Treatments for physical illness are well known, but subsequent psychological care is not – even despite significant impacts on mental health. For instance, higher levels of depression are prevalent in populations suffering from chronic illness and/or traumatic diagnoses. Foreseeable factors like fear/worry can be accompanied by less anticipated repercussions like treatment plan decision paralysis. Cognitive behavioral therapy is moderately effective in treating depression for this population but has notable limitations: neglecting intersections between physical/emotional experiences along with nuanced aspects of physical illness (e.g. psychosocial functioning, environment, and incorrectly categorized “irrational beliefs”). The purpose of this workshop is to bridge these gaps by promoting awareness and effective coping skills. It will provide audience members with a gestalt perspective on chronic illness and/or traumatic diagnoses. Techniques that will be covered include: #1 (staying with emotion), #2 (somatic attending) and #3 (two chair conversation). Technique #1 will teach the importance of sitting with emotions in the present moment. Technique # 2 will demonstrate the mind - body connection as well as how somatic awareness can provide clues to emotional experiences and vice versa. Technique # 3 will provide the opportunity for clients to engage in conversations with different aspects of themselves for the purpose of identity integration.

Speakers

Alexandra L. Keen, M.A. Candidate (Clinical Psychology), B.S (Neuroscience/Cognitive Science & Religious Studies)

Graduate Student, Pennsylvania State Harrisburg University

Alexandra L. Keen is a M.A candidate of applied clinical psychology at Penn State Harrisburg. After completing a bachelor’s degree in religious studies for health professionals (RSHP) and neuroscience/cognitive science (NSCS) with a thematic emphasis in neuro-spirituality at the... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EST

Poster Session

global Y

Tickets

Success you have shared X tickets.

58th Annual PCA Conference

Alexandra L. Keen, M.A. Candidate (Clinical Psychology), B.S (Neuroscience/Cognitive Science & Religious Studies)

Attendees (2)

Get help with the event

Success you have shared X tickets.

58th Annual PCA Conference

Alexandra L. Keen, M.A. Candidate (Clinical Psychology), B.S (Neuroscience/Cognitive Science & Religious Studies)

Attendees (2)

Sign up or log in to save this to your schedule, view media, leave feedback and see who's attending!

Get help with the event