Viewpoint - April 2025
In this issue:
The Executive Perspective
TPI's Therapy Dog Training Program (TDTP)
Board & Committee News
TPI CE Course Calendar
Upcoming Institute Events & Happenings
The Executive Perspective
From James Brandt, Executive Director
Dear Colleagues,
Given the series of Executive Orders that have been issued in Washington DC over the past weeks and the tremendous impact that the current administration’s assault on diversity, equity, and inclusion is having upon our nation, I am moved to reiterate the Institute’s steadfast commitment to the values of social justice, compassion, equity and inclusion.
As an expression of our commitment to social Justice, we stand by the belief that everyone deserves equal economic, political, and social rights, as well as a fair and equitable division of resources, opportunities, and privileges in society. We value inclusion and support of diverse populations in our leadership, membership, community clinic, and programming. We embrace a shared responsibility to challenge injustice and hold a commitment to lead with compassion and courage in interactions within the Institute, in our professional community, and in the community at large. We seek to empathize with the challenges and sufferings of others and to reduce suffering through our work.
Following these shared values, we affirm our commitment and support for immigrants, people of color, members of the transgender community, and all others who are being targeted by recent Executive Orders. Please know that the Institute does not collect immigration status of our members, faculty, clients, or program participants. Furthermore, we will not disclose information about any community member unless mandated by law or a verified court order. Our commitment to provide protection for every member of our community regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation remains unchanged. We continue to affirm and honor community members’ names, pronouns, and gender identities as an integral part of our culture, policy, and practice.
In these times of political and societal change, let us act on the Institute’s commitment to offer support to each other and take concrete steps to ensure that TPI is an ever more welcoming and supportive community. As we navigate the uncertainty of the coming months together, may we embrace courage and compassion, renew our support for one another, and create the sanctuary envisioned by our values.
In community,
Jim
TPI's Therapy Dog Training Program (TDTP)
After years of research and planning, we are pleased to announce the launch of a new TPI program, The Therapy Dog Training Program (TDTP). This one-year program will train TPI Staff Pooches to support the Staff Therapists in the Psychotherapy Training Program to care for the clients in our community clinic. Staff Pooches will be trained to wait with clients in waiting areas and escort them to therapy rooms. Smaller staff pooches will be encouraged to sit beside clients on couches during psychotherapy sessions or even to sit on client’s laps if desired. While larger Staff Pooches will remain floor-bound during session, their presence will certainly provide a calming influence on our clients. With its launch this Summer, this innovative program will be the only program in country that will train therapy dogs in the Psychodynamic tradition.
Upon graduation of our first TDTP cohort, we will be excited to provide a Therapy Dog Placement Program that will match trained and certified therapy dogs for our members. We anticipate that applications for therapy dogs will be accepted beginning April 1, 2026. (Due to the anticipated high demand for TPI-certified therapy dogs, applications will only be accepted from TPI members.)
To provide for this program, the southeast corner of the parking lot will be renovated into a state-of-the-art training facility which will reduce the parking lot capacity by 5 spaces. This is, of course, a small accommodation considering that it will make it possible for TPI to provide an innovative program that will have such a significant contribution to the field of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. We are grateful to the American Kennel Association (AKA) for the grant that has enabled us to design and construct the Therapy Dog Training Facility (TDTF) and launch the TDTP. We offer congratulations (and treats) to the first TDTP cohort and their owners.
For more information about the TDTP, program requirements, and applications, please contact TDTP Director Bea A. Schnauzer at bschnauzer@tpi-berkeley.org
Congratulations to the inaugural cohort of TPI’s Therapy Dog Training Program
Board and Committee News
From the Board of Directors
Committee and Board Opportunities
The TPI Board Development Committee is pleased to announce a call for nominations to fill three positions on The Psychotherapy Institute’s (TPI) Board of Directors. Serving on the Board offers a valuable opportunity for deep engagement with TPI and the chance to impact the direction of the institute.
The Board is committed to continuing our efforts to create a diverse, inclusive, and engaged Board of Directors. As part of our ongoing work to align TPI’s structures, processes, and procedures more closely with our goals of equity, inclusivity, and anti-racism, we are inviting nominations from all members. We also welcome nominations of community members outside of the mental health field who possess experience and skills that could help TPI remain a thought leader in psychodynamic psychotherapy.
We encourage all members to seriously consider nominating themselves or other interested individuals in the community. The terms begin in July 2025. You may nominate yourself or another person for one of the open positions below (click on the position to learn more):
Up to two Member at Large Positions (2-year term) Click here to read the TPI Board Member Responsibilities
Treasurer (2-year term) Click here to read the TPI Treasurer Responsibilities
Eligibility requirements for serving on the Board:
TPI member in good standing;
Able to attend monthly Board meetings, (2nd Fridays, 4-6 pm), serve on a Board committee, and attend the annual Board retreat;
Graduates of TPI training programs need to be 1 year post graduation.
To nominate yourself or someone else, or for more information about any of these positions, please email me, Coecillia Zazove, Board Development Chair, at therapy@coecillia.com. You can also contact James Brandt, Executive Director, at jbrandt@tpi-berkeley.org or by calling 510-548-4407. Please submit all nominations by April 30, 2025.
A ballot will be sent to the entire membership in mid-May.
Thank you,
Coecillia Zazove
TPI Board Development Chair
From the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
The Mechanisms of Othering
This past Friday, the DEI Committee sponsored “The Mechanisms of Othering” a program that engaged TPI leaders, faculty, program participants, and members in a launch of a continuing initiative to build community and to make the Institute a more welcoming place for all. Participants watched a video address by john powell that explained unconscious bias, methodologies of “othering”, and strategies to build communities of inclusion. Following powell’s address, participants broke into small groups to discuss their own experiences with “othering” and how we can work together to build community and make the Institute a more welcoming and inclusive place.
Over the coming year, watch the calendar for additional opportunities to engage with our ongoing effort and to be involved in this important work. For more information, please reach out to DEI Committee Chair, Eric Botino at eric@ericbottino.com.
If you would like to view "The Mechanisms of Othering", john powell's video presentation, it can be found here:
Program participants watch john powell’s keynote address at TPI’s recent “Mechanisms of Othering” program.
From the Education Committee
Call for Proposals: Fall 2025/Spring 2026 Classes
As we are preparing our schedule for next Spring, the Education Committee is now calling for proposals. If you would like to teach at TPI next year, please reach out to TPI Executive Director, Jim Brandt with your proposal or class ideas, or if you are interested in joining the Education Committee. Jim can be reached at jbrandt@tpi-berkeley.org.
From the Membership and Development Committee
TPI’s Friend, Family, and Colleagues Campaign
The Membership and Development Committee launched TPI’s Friend, Family, and Colleagues Campaign. The campaign is an effort to increase the Institute’s donor base by asking our members to send emails to their contacts to request that they join you in supporting TPI. The solicitation focuses on the Institute’s Community Clinic and the Institute’s support of those seeking accessible psychotherapy in our community. We are pleased to report that the campaign is already bringing in donations from new donors, many of them made in honor of our members. Thank you to all those who are participating in this fundraising effort. If you have not yet participated in the program, program instructions and a sample email that you can modify and forward can be found by clicking here.
Launching TPI’s Legacy Society
Over the years, TPI members have informed us that they have included TPI in their will or trust. To honor these members, inform our membership of the value of legacy giving, and encourage others to consider the Institute in their philanthropic planning we are excited to announce the launch of the TPI Legacy Society. We look forward to sharing more about legacy giving with you and how including TPI in your will or trust is a great way to ensure TPI's future and to further your commitment to the Institute’s mission of supporting mental health in our community.
Mark your calendars to join us for a garden brunch to celebrate the launch of our legacy society on Saturday May 17th. For more information on the TPI Legacy Society or including TPI in your will or trust, contact Executive Director, Jim Brandt at jbrandt@tpi-berkeley.org.
TPI’s CE Course Calendar
Register for these upcoming CE courses
CE Course:
Group Therapy Training Program Symposium -
Incorporating IFS into Interpersonal Group Therapy
Saturday April 5th from 9:00 - 1:15 pm PDT
Jay Earley, PhD
CE Course:
A Clinical Quickie: An Introduction to Sex Therapy
Saturday June 7th from 9:00 - 12:15 pm PDT
Julia Simone Fogelson, LCSW, CST
Upcoming Institute Events and Happenings
Dollars and Sense: Financial Planning for Psychotherapists
Saturday, April 19th. 9:30 am-12 pm
Join TPI Board member and Financial Planner Claire Shiffron for a session on how to make your practice financially successful and build a solid financial future. This Members-only event is offered virtually. To RSVP for the program, click here.
Brunch and Neighborhood Stroll
Saturday, April 26th. 10 am- 12pm
Join the Membership and Development Committee for a light bagel brunch followed by a stroll through the neighborhood. For more information, contact Vicky Melucci at vaacton@gmail.com
Save the Date: TPI Legacy Society Brunch
Saturday, May 17th. 11 am-1pm
Including TPI in your will or trust is a great way to support the Institute and to further your commitment to the Institute’s mission of supporting mental health in our community. Mark your calendars to join us for a garden brunch to celebrate the launch of our legacy society, honor our legacy donors, and learn more about the Institute’s Legacy Program. (Invitation to follow)
APRIL FOOLS
Below are the beloved pets and fur-friends of Jim and Sierra
Contribute to Viewpoint
We encourage contributions to Viewpoint from the TPI Community.
To submit or plan submissions, contact Executive Director, Jim Brandt jbrandt@tpi-berkeley.org