Ancient myths and modern literature refer to the archetype of the wise elder, suggesting that older age is the time when we grow into a sense of deep maturity, generous warmth and wisdom. At the same time, our American culture denies the reality of age, instead promoting the ideal of looking as young and wrinkle-free as possible with the dictum of “not slowing down.”

So we ask: What defines a wise elder? How does one develop into a wise elder and how is the wise elder different from the ubiquitous “senior citizen” that so dominates the cultural language of today?

In this three-day retreat and professional training with Linda Ciotola, M.Ed., TEP, and Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP, we explore and experience the phases of role development within us – and invite participants to step into the gifts of aging with grace and learn to bridge the gulf between life and death.

The hours of this three-day retreat-style training are:

• 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, 2023
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7
• 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Oct. 8

We will use the action of psychodrama, the bonds of relationship through sociometry and music and the arts we explore, honor, and celebrate the Wise Elder – and give you a multitude of ideas on how to integrate these concepts into your work with people of all ages. You will learn how to:

• Identify where you are now as you relate to the wise elder role using Dr. J.L. Moreno’s role theory of development.
• Understand basic correspondences of Dr. Moreno’s view with the perspective of Carl Jung, the Swiss psychoanalyst who first identified the archetypes.
• Explore what aspects of the wise elder you already possess regardless of your current age.
• Practice stepping into the wise elder role and experience through multiple psychodramatic and creative arts techniques.
• Explore how your near and far ancestors modeled for you the meaning of aging and how you can hold these meanings in an appropriate way for you in the 21st century.

In addition an expressive arts project will be integrated into the training class along with instructions on how to replicate the art-making project with the people you work with.

CE and psychodrama credits provided, in addition to generous online page of handouts for professional development.