The Counselor . . . as if Soul and Spirit Matter

"In an anthroposophic approach to counseling and psychotherapy we integrate the whole paradigm of spiritual science into the contemporary forms of psychology, thereby reformulating a psychology inclusive of body, soul, and spirit."

Dr. William Bento, former executive director of the Association for Anthroposophic Psychology, author of "Lifting the Veil of Mental Illness"

C O N T E N T S:

INTRODUCTION
1. The Counselor Inspired by Anthroposophic Psychology (David Tresemer)
2. An Anthroposophic Psychology (William Bento)

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES 
Introduction to Fundamental Principles (David Tresemer)
3. Salutogenesis: Foundation for Anthroposophic Counseling Psychology (William Bento)
4. Life Span Development (Roberta Nelson)
5. Seven Life-phases and Seven Levels of Will (Edmund Knighton)
6. Soul and Spirit (David Tresemer)

REFORMULATING CONTEMPORARY CLINICAL ISSUES
Introduction to Clinical Issues (David Tresemer)
7. Personality Disorders (William Bento)
8. Depression (Edmund Knighton and William Bento)
9. Addiction (Roberta Nelson and William Bento)
10. Trauma and Post-traumatic Stress (Roberta Nelson and William Bento)

INNER DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNSELOR
Introduction to Inner Development (David Tresemer)
11. Self-care (various)
12. Meditation and Mindfulness (Edmund Knighton and David Tresemer)
13. Seeing the Initiatory Process in Pathologies (William Bento)
14. Finding the Healing Spirit (David Tresemer)

APPENDIX: References for Anthroposophic Psychology
About the Authors
About AAP

David Tresemer

David Tresemer, PhD, has a doctorate in psychology, and is associate professor of psychology at Rudolf Steiner College for the certificate program in Counseling Psychology, with concentration in Anthroposophic Psychology. He has written in many areas, ranging from The Scythe Book: Mowing Hay, Cutting Weeds, and Harvesting Small Grains with Hand Tools to a book about mythic theater, War in Heaven: Accessing Myth Through Drama, and a book on astrology-seen-intelligently, Star Wisdom and Rudolf Steiner: A Life Seen through the Oracle of the Solar Cross, as well as The Venus Eclipse of the Sun. David’s has also written numerous articles on the connection of celestial events to human experience.

William Bento

William Bento, PhD, worked in the field of human development for more than thirty years. He was a recognized pioneer and a published author in psychosophy (soul wisdom) and astrosophy (star wisdom), and traveled extensively as a speaker, teacher, and consultant. Dr. Bento was the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks, California, and worked as a transpersonal clinical psychologist at the Center for Living Health in Gold River, California. He also guided social therapy seminars for Camphill Communities for more than twenty years. Dr. Bento was also the author of Holy Nights Journal and Meditation Cards & Booklet on the Eightfold Path and a frequent contributor to Journal for Star Wisdom. He died June 5, 2015.

Edmund Knighton

Edmund Knighton, PhD, is Associate Professor and Department Chair, Clinical Psychology PhD/MA programs, and for Marriage and Family Therapy, Somatic, Pre/Perinatal Psychology Concentrations, through The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Department Chair and Professor, MA in Education for Public Charter School Teachers, Rudolf Steiner College. Organizational Development consultant. He is a founding member of the Association for Anthroposophic Psychology (AAP). He has done research in the area of brain development and spatial perception and is a member of the faculty and administration of nine graduate institutes and four Waldorf schools. Edmund earned a post-doctorate in Family Systems, Hakomi Body Centered Psychotherapy and is a certified in conflict management, yoga, and Spacial Dynamics^® movement therapy, and is a Ropes course instructor. He has been an educator for more than two decades in early childhood, primary, secondary, and graduate levels. He created SES 4th-grade through 12th-grade programs using Kessler’s Mysteries Curriculum. He has practiced neuropsychological assessment at UC-Davis Med-Center Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, specializing in traumatic brain injury.

Roberta Nelson

Roberta R. Nelson was born in Montana and raised in Minnesota and North Dakota. She trained in counseling, human development, psychosynthesis, and Anthroposophy and earned a doctorate in Counselor Education from North Dakota State University, where her dissertation focused on incorporating Anthroposophy and psychosynthesis into counselor education and training. In addition, Roberta is licensed as a Licensed Practical Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and addiction counseling (LAC). In 1997 she founded ReConnect: A Center for Schooling and Counseling, dedicated to bridging the gaps among mainstream mental health, psychosynthesis, and spiritual science. A recent affiliation with AAP (Association for Anthroposophic Psychology) is a continuation of her lifelong goal to establish professional training that connects contemporary education with esoteric traditions. Roberta’s ongoing commitment to healing and renewal is most recently demonstrated in her founding role in a biodynamic, land-based therapeutic initiative on her 750-acre family farm.