Description

The Whacky World of Fractals

Terry Marks-Tarlow, Ph.D.

Psychotherapy is about perceiving and changing personal, interpersonal or intergenerational patterns. Patterns exist both in nature and in human nature, and our brains are designed to be pattern makers. But where do these patterns come from and what is the deepest most useful level of drawing connections? This seminar is all about fractals: perhaps the most universal pattern of patterns in nature. Fractal patterns extend across mind, body, brain, soul, world, and relationships.

Fractals are connecting threads that weave together similarities while separating differences across space and time as well as symbolic/imaginary realms. Once you “see” a fractal, you can never un-see it. Instead you will start to see fractals everywhere—within the whacky drawings of Dr. Seuss, the branching of neurons, and even within the unpredictable yet very recognizable patterns of fate.

Fractals contribute to a realistic understanding of what “recovery” means. Because fractals exist in the spaces between traditional dimensions they are especially useful to model psychological boundaries, including their paradoxical features.

Participants will leave the day equipped with a new pair of holistic and effective lenses for seeing interpersonal patterns and responding to patients.