7th International Congress of Morita Therapy 森田療法
About Morita Therapy
MORITA Shoma, MD (1874 – 1938) initially, designed his therapy as a four-stage homecare treatment for anxiety. Philosophically aligned with Zen Buddhism, Morita was a contemporary of Sigmund Freud, Maria Montessori, Jean Charcot and William James.
The first stage of Morita Therapy involves isolation, silence, and rest. The patient lies in a prone position and is deprived of stimulation – as a means of re-balancing diurnal rhythms that have been disrupted by distressing symptoms and day-to-day chaos.
Later stages employ diary writing, nature study, art therapy, gardening, group cooking, and so on. The experience of moving through the four stages enhances the wellbeing of the patient's kokoro (body=mind=spirit)
Today, the treatment is applied in public and private hospitals in Japan, and has extended to Australia, China and more recently Southeast Asia. Morita theory has become part of postgraduate counselling psychology coursework in Canada, Australia and the USA.
Beyond Borders: Morita Therapy for Uncertain Times
Conference sponsored by Monash Asia Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
Special conference panels:
- Medical origins of Morita Therapy
- Morita Therapy, trauma, and counselling psychology
- The ecology of Morita Therapy
- Teasing out Zen and the existential in Morita Therapy
- Paradox, language and isolation
- Assessment, case studies, and duty of care
- Morita Therapy in community-aid development (Cambodia and Lao PDR)
- Research methods: accounting for intrinsic and extrinsic change
Registration Opening in June 2009
Please visit:
http://www.conferenceworks.net.au/morita-therapy/
Dr Peg LeVine
Conference Convenor
Monash Asia Institute, Building 11
Monash University Clayton, Vic 3800, Australia
Email: peg.levine@adm.monash.edu.au
