MEISA is now in its 9^th year of existence and we are very proud of what we have achieved over this period of time. MEISA has successfully hosted the Sexual Abuse Conference in 2003 and the Second World Congress on Ego State Therapy in 2006. MEISA also hosted the Best of Psychotherapy Congress at Mabula Private Game Lodge as well as the Cape of Good Hope Congress in Cape Town during 2006. MEISA, Eastern Cape successfully hosted the First South African Congress on Trauma: Contemporary Psychotherapeutic Approaches in George during March 2008. We recently also successfully hosted the 3rd World Congress on Ego State Therapy and Ericksonian Psychotherapy during February 2010. Almost 500 delegates attended the congresses at Sun City and Stellenbosch. The feedback we received regarding the congresses was very positive. 

 We have planned a very exciting programme for 2010. We have decided on workshops that will enable you to receive brief and in-depth training in various interesting fields of psychotherapy.  There is a growing demand for shorter workshops which are less time consuming and aimed at providing the practitioner with more brief psychotherapeutic intervention skills. All MEISA training courses will be practical workshops with live demonstrations.  Our goal is to equip you with the skills you need in your practice.  We have selected an array of interesting and very relevant topics for you to choose from.   

During 2010 MEISA will continue to offer training in the very useful Eye Movement Integration (EMI) Technique. Developed by Steve Andreas (MA) and Danie Beaulieu (Ph.D), Eye Movement Integration (EMI) is the most effective method for accessing and integrating traumatic memories and experiences.  It is not the same as EMDR.  However, it is another therapeutic technique using eye movements!  EMI is astonishing rapid in its effects, freeing clients from the burden of unresolved memories of almost any form of trauma - from childhood abuse to car accidents; from rape to natural disasters to combat situations - in just one to six treatment sessions!  This is not hypnosis, nor magic, but an extraordinary direct means of releasing the power of the mind to do what it was designed to do:  Heal itself!  This workshop will be presented by Dr Woltemade Hartman (Ph.D).  Dr Hartman is the first qualified EMI (Eye Movement Integration) practitioner and trainer in South Africa.  He has been accredited by Dr Danie Beaulieu Ph.D and the Académie Impact in Québec, Canada, to do fundamental and advanced EMI training nationally and internationally.

MEISA has reviewed and re-planned the Ego State and Ericksonian training courses to include the latest theoretical and practical developments in these respective fields.  We can assure you that our courses offer the best training available.  All our courses are endorsed by the Milton H. Erickson Foundation in Phoenix, USA as well as the Milton Erickson Gesellschaft (MEG) in Germany.  Do not miss the opportunity to receive training in these MEISA intensive training courses! 

Ericksonian Psychotherapy has influenced and led to the development of various internationally known psychotherapeutic approaches.  The scope of the MEISA training is comprehensive, yet the incremental structure of the workshops facilitates progressive acquisition of competence.  The fundamental Ericksonian training assumes no prior knowledge of / or experience in hypnotherapy.  The primary emphasis is upon elicitation of therapeutic trances and ways to utilise trance during treatment.  The intermediate Ericksonian training delves more specifically into hypnotic applications for particular clinical issues.  The strategic utilisation of hypnotic phenomena will also be addressed.  The advanced training focuses on the process of Ericksonian therapy and the resources of the therapist.  Exercises, supervision and advanced instruction allow participants to enhance their acumen as agents of change.

Ego State Therapy on the other hand, was developed by John G Watkins Ph.D and Helen H Watkins MA.  This approach is based on the premise that human personality is composed of separate parts (so-called Ego States), rather than being a monolithic entity.  The goal of ego state therapy is to elicit the ego states, to work with them therapeutically, to attain peace amongst them and to integrate them into a family of self.  The fundamental training assumes prior knowledge of hypnotherapy.  The primary emphasis is upon the elicitation of ego states and communication with them.  The intermediate ego state training focuses on linguistic patterns and communication with ego states.  Various models of intervention are elaborated upon.  The advanced training focuses on clinical syndromes and the integration of ego states.  All training programmes utilise a lecture-demonstration-practice format.  Participants spend the majority of time in direct experiences, deriving extensive familiarity with hypnotic processes in both clinician and patient roles.  Hence, the training is a stimulating blend of theoretical, vicarious and experiential learning. 

We have again invited Dr Tharina Guse, Ph.D to present one-day workshops on Positive Psychology in Pretoria this year. Mrs Lorraine Raay and Hannelie Scheffer  will present workshops on Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy in Pretoria. This is surely an important topic for all therapists.

Dr Woltemade Hartman Ph.D is director of MEISA South Africa and will organise the training in Gauteng. His contact details are 012 - 991 1472 and hartmanw@vodamail.co.za The website address is www.meisa.co.za Dr Hartman and Mr Callie Hattingh will from now on coordinate the MEISA training in Cape Town and surrounding areas. Callie Hattingh (MA Clinical Psychology) will be responsible for training in the Eastern, Western Cape and the Free State. His contact details are 044 - 874 1527 (tel), 088 044 874 1527 (fax), or 082 787 7851 (mobile) or callie@intekom.co.za. His website address is www.megsa.net  

To enrol for all the MEISA training courses, please contact your regional MEISA Secretariat.

Thank you for your continued support of the Milton H Erickson Institute of South Africa and its activities. Enjoy the 2010 training!

Our warmest regards

Woltemade Hartman (Ph.D)
Director: Milton H. Erickson Institute of South Africa / MEISA

Callie Hattingh (MA)
Regional Director: Milton H. Erickson Institute of George South Africa / MEGSA