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Hysteria’s history, rooted in Greek myth, evolved into a Victorian belief of a “wandering uterus” leading to disturbing medical practices. We aim to explore the lived experiences on irregular perceptions of reality with an open mind. Each Saturday includes: a live dialogue between Prof. Ernesto Spinelli and an International Existential Therapist; a moment to share your thoughts and feelings with the teachers; and a final integration facilitated by Bárbara Godoy. This series of ten dialogues set out to explore the multifaceted dimentions and complexities associated with Existential Therapies. It attempts to engage with various interpretations of insanity through the lens of patients often painful, confounding, and deeply unsettling life experiences. Hysteria- between Prof. Ernesto Spinelli and Bárbara Godoy “In this talk, I will compare the Histerical patient to the ancient Greek myth of Persephone, the goddess who traversed the boundaries between the world of the living and the underworld. Just as Persephone’s cyclical descent and return mirrored the changing seasons, hysteria was seen as a condition where emotions and experiences defied easy classification. This notion of transgressing boundaries became a cornerstone of early psychoanalysis. In Victorian times, hysteria took a decidedly bizarre turn. Here, the culprit was believed to be a mobile womb, an organ capable of throwing into disorder and confusion. This “wandering womb” was blamed for a variety of ailments and behaviours, particularly any expression of female desire out-of-wedlock. In a truly disturbing reflection of these beliefs, legal rulings based on this theory emerged. In some cases, women diagnosed with hysteria could be forced to undergo a hysterectomy.” Bárbara Godoy. Bárbara Godoy M.A., Adv. Dip. Exi. Psy, UKCP accredited Psychotherapist and Supervisor, MBACP and SEA – Director of Therapy Harley Street. Bárbara’s academic experience in London since 2008 includes lecturing and researching on the theory and practice of Phenomenological Existential Therapy on Doctorate, MA and professional courses at the School of Psychotherapy and Counselling Psychology, Regent’s University and the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling directed by Emmy van Deurzen. Bárbara has facilitated therapeutic Group Work internationally since 1997. The question about the meaning of Being-Woman was the topic of her thesis completed in 2005 and evolved into two main Women’s Groups: “Nine muses” and “Four Seasons” which she leads in addition to her individual private practice. Currently, as the clinical director of THS, Bárbara leads a team of over 20 professional practitioners in the area of Psychological services and Wellbeing consultancy. Bárbara is also the founder-director of THS’s Personal Development and CPD Programmes. Prof. Ernesto Spinelli was Chair of the Society for Existential Analysis between 1993 and 1999 and is a Life Member of the Society. His writings, lectures and seminars focus on the application of existential phenomenology to the arenas of therapy, supervision, psychology, and executive coaching. He is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS) as well as an APECS accredited executive coach and coaching supervisor. In 2000, he was the Recipient of BPS Division of Counselling Psychology Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Profession. And in 2019, Ernesto received the BPS Award for Distinguished Contribution to Practice. His most recent book, Practising Existential Therapy: The Relational World 2nd edition (Sage, 2015) has been widely praised as a major contribution to the advancement of existential theory and practice. Living up to the existential dictum that life is absurd, Ernesto is also the author of an on-going series of Private Eye novels. Date and Time: Saturday 13 December from 2 pm to 3 pm – (UK time) Individual Dialogue Fee: £70 Venue: Online Zoom FULL PROGRAMME 2025: 25 January “Knots” with Prof. Ernesto Spinelli and Bárbara Godoy 22 February “Healing” with Dr. Michael Guy Thompson and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 22 March “Difference” with Prof. Tod DuBose and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 12 April “Polarisation” with Prof. Kirk Schneider and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 3 May “Character” with Prof. Robert Romanyshyn and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 21 June “Opening” with Dr. Yaqui Martinez and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 19 July “Meaning” with Dr. Jan Resnick and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 25 October “Invention” with Dr. Betty Cannon and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 15 November “Hallucination” with Prof. Simon du Plock and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli 13 December “Hysteria” with Bárbara Godoy and Prof. Ernesto Spinelli Read the full programme here > Course Organised by:

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Join us for a transcendent afternoon of movement, medicine and connection. Join us for a transcendent afternoon of movement, medicine and connection at Never For Ever. Leave the outside world behind and join us for an ecstatic dance journey, merging powerful beats, heart-opening cacao, and grounding Rapé with soulful intention. This alcohol and drug-free event is a space to move freely, express yourself fully, and enjoy being part of our amazing community. Event Flow: Doors open at 12.30pm We’ll begin by sharing a ceremonial cacao together at 1pm. This sacred plant medicine will open your heart and energise your body, preparing you for the dance ahead. Please note that there will be no entry after 1.30pm to maintain the integrity of the space. Throughout the dance, our team will offer Rapé, a sacred Amazonian plant medicine used for grounding and mental clarity. Administered through the nostrils, Rapé helps to clear emotional blocks and deepen your connection to the music and your body. If you feel called to experience this, it will be available at an additional cost. Holly, our phenomenal resident DJ, will guide you through an eclectic mix of deep, tribal, and uplifting beats. Known for her ability to craft sets that resonate deeply with the body, mind, and soul, Holly will take you on a journey where every track invites you to move more freely and feel more alive. Venue: Never For Ever is known for its chic, warehouse-style interior and vibrant atmosphere. It has an incredible line-up of non-alcoholic cocktails making it the perfect setting for our dance. After the dance, you're welcome to stay, relax, and grab a bite to eat and connect with the community - the food is AMAZING. Etiquette: To create a safe and sacred space for everyone: No talking on the dance floor - let your body do the communicating. This is a sober event. Help us keep the space light and clear. Respect boundaries - honour your own space and the space of others. Barefoot or socks only on the dancefloor. No phones - stay present and enjoy the dance. Listen to your body - move in a way that feels natural and right for you. Refund Policy: We understand that plans change. For refunds, please provide 7 days’ notice. Price: Price is on a sliding scale. Please pay what you can afford. @numinity.collective Join our Whatsapp Group for new event updates.