The Men’s Group Seminar: Two Primary Styles of Adaptation

Saturday, April 18, 2020 

10:15 to 11:30 AM

The coronavirus pandemic has activated psychological strategies of adaptation in all of us. Individuals usually employ a preferred style of adaptation when faced with difficult situations, one they have likely utilized all of their lives. “Autoplastic” adaptation is a form of adaptation originally described by Freud in which a person attempts to change him- or herself when faced with a challenging experience. Conversely, “alloplastic” adaptation describes a strategy in which a person attempts to change the environment when confronted with a trying experience. Each style features its own benefits and limitations, which are related, of course, to how well the chosen style matches or fits the situation at hand, i.e., some situations warrant autoplastic vs. alloplastic strategies or vice versa. In the next virtual meeting of the Men’s Group Seminar on Saturday, April 18, 2020 (10:15 to 11:30 AM), we will consider these strategies of adaptation in response to the pandemic, and discuss the important distinction between adaptation and coping.

* Registration Directions: If you would like to attend the virtual meeting of the Men’s Group Seminar on April 18, 2020, please RSVP to me at 949-338-4388 or jt@jamestobinphd.com at your earliest convenience. The fee is $25.00 (payable before entering the virtual meeting) and informed consent for participation in this tele-health event must be completed prior to the seminars. Please note that the Men’s Group Seminar is psychoeducational in nature, not therapeutic, and does not constitute psychotherapy or counseling.

The Relationship Group Seminar: Love During the Pandemic

Saturday, April 18, 2020

11:45 AM to 1:00 PM

In her article “Love In the Time of Coronavirus: How the Budding Pandemic Is Making And Breaking Relationships,” Julia Reinstein documents the challenges of dating during this time, whereas in a recent podcast Esther Perel describes how the pandemic exposes the “fault lines” of long-term committed relationships. It appears as if COVID-19 not only threatens our physical health, but holds the potential to affect the status of our romantic relationships, no matter what level of intensity these relationships reflect. In the next virtual meeting of the Relationship Group Seminar on Saturday, April 18, 2020 (11:45 AM to 1:00 PM), we will consider how the pandemic is impacting relationships and discuss what we can do to resist and overcome its negative influences.

* Registration Directions: If you would like to attend the virtual meeting of the Relationship Group Seminar on April 18, 2020, please RSVP to me at 949-338-4388 or jt@jamestobinphd.com at your earliest convenience. The fee is $25.00 (payable before entering the virtual meeting) and informed consent for participation in this tele-health event must be completed prior to the seminars. Please note that the Relationship Group Seminar is psychoeducational in nature, not therapeutic, and does not constitute psychotherapy or counseling.