WORKSHOPS
Dr. Kay currently presents a variety of workshops that incorporate her knowledge and experience in the areas of (1) cooperative and collaborative learning, (2) conflict resolution and creating win/win outcomes, (3) reconciliation and forgiveness, and (4) music’s therapeutic and spiritual properties and its use in spiritual direction.
A recipient of the State University of New York’s Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Dr. Kay consistently receives rave reviews from her workshop participants. Dr. Kay often incorporates spiritual teachings into her presentations, including instruction in prayer and meditative techniques. Dr. Kay also incorporates individual, partner and small group activities in her presentations.
If you are interested in one of Dr. Kay’s workshops, please Click HERE to email her for more information.
CURRENT WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS
1. STRATEGIES TO FOSTER RECONCILIATION AND UNITY USING COLLABORATIVE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION TECHNIQUES
Learning to be a peacemaker in today’s society is indeed a challenge. For many people, however, this challenge is worth the time and energy, since the outcome can be extraordinary. In this workshop, the four attributes of cooperative groups, as delineated by Roger and David Johnson (Circles of Learning: Cooperation in the Classroom, 1984), are examined, including positive interdependence, individual accountability, face-to-face interaction, and interpersonal and small group skills.
There is a focus on the concept of conflict and how conflict can result in positive change when handled effectively. Skills and techniques for resolving conflicts with win/win outcomes are examined in detail. In addition, these techniques are discussed in relation to the lives and experiences of the workshop participants. Patterns in abusive and dysfunctional relationships are examined along with strategies for recognizing and effecting change.
The conflict resolution curriculum utilized in this workshop is based on the philosophy and work of Dr. Morton Deutsch, who is considered the founder of modern conflict resolution theory and practice, and a pioneer in the study of intergroup relations, cooperation-competition, conflict resolution, social conformity, and the social psychology of justice (The Handbook of Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice, 2000).
(OPTIONAL) Dr. Kay discusses the importance that St. Paul placed upon the qualities of reconciliation, unity and forgiveness, and how his Biblical letters urged the early Christian churches to practice these non-violent behaviors.
This interactive workshop can be presented as a half-day or full-day workshop. Curriculum handouts have been prepared by Dr. Kay for each workshop participant.
2. COOPERATIVE AND COLLABORATIVE LEARNING AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN RESOLVING CONFLICTS
In this workshop, three classroom learning structures (David and Roger Johnson, 1984) are examined, with an emphasis on the hidden message of each (e.g., Competition = in order for me to win, you must lose; Individualistic = in order for me to win, you can either win or lose, it doesn’t matter; Cooperative = in order for me to win, you must win, too).
Special attention is given to the cooperative structure and why it is the least understood, and often the superior of the three, since the importance of behaving cooperatively is a precursor to resolving conflicts with win/win outcomes.
Conflict resolution techniques and strategies are discussed, along with specific techniques for creating win/win outcomes. Participants, in pairs, have opportunities to create win/win scenarios applicable to their own lives. Patterns in abusive and dysfunctional relationships are examined along with strategies for recognizing and effecting change.
This interactive workshop can be presented as a half-day or full-day workshop. Curriculum handouts have been specially prepared by Dr. Kay for each workshop participant.
3. THE SPIRITUAL AND THERAPEUTIC POWERS OF MUSIC
Many ancient civilizations (e.g., China, Egypt, India, Greece) believed that music was the most powerful of all artistic mediums – for good or ill. Some societies strictly regulated the kinds of music that could be played because it was believed that music could make or break an entire civilization.
The ancients also considered music to be therapeutic; and music was often used to treat both mental and physical diseases. In our modern society, music therapy is increasingly being considered a legitimate supplement to medical treatment and rehabilitation.
In this workshop, the beliefs of the ancients are examined as well as the use of music therapy in modern society. Dr. Kay also discusses her personal bout with cancer and how music helped her recovery.
The workshop includes a discussion of the lives of Ludwig Van Beethoven and/or Johann Sebastian Bach in order to demonstrate the transcendent and therapeutic nature of their music. Dr. Kay also presents selected gems from these classical masters and uses them as a backdrop for group meditation and reflection.
This interactive workshop can be presented as a half-day or whole-day workshop. Curriculum handouts have been specially prepared by Dr. Kay for each workshop participant.
4. MUSIC AND PRAYER
Beautiful and inspirational music can be utilized to help create an environment within the self that is conducive to receiving guidance from the Holy Spirit. Hildegard of Bingen, a medieval mystic, believed that music could be an experience of communion with the Divine. Since, by definition, prayer is conversation (communion) with God, according to Hildegard, music is a way to pray.
Modern behavioral psychology has shown that what we focus our attention on externally, we reinforce within ourselves. As St. Paul says in his letter to the Philippians, “Finally, my brothers, your attention should be placed on things that are true, all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8) He is telling us that what we pay lots of attention to matters because it becomes part of us.
A biography on Hildegard of Bingen and her views on the power of music will be presented, along with information on music’s use as a therapy in the medical field today. Special emphasis is placed on exactly how and why music is particularly helpful to patients. Dr. Kay also discusses how this powerful emotional medium helped her during her own bout with and recovery from breast cancer in the mid-1970s.
This workshop includes musical prayer meditations featuring various genres of music, including classical, popular and religious selections.
This interactive workshop is presented as a half-day or full-day workshop. Curriculum handouts have been specially prepared by Dr. Kay for each workshop participant.
