ICSP2023 Speakers

Rhythm and skill

This creative work is an exploration of digital sketching. It focused on the artistic representation of images using various lengths, weights, paths of line elements and principles of art to present rhythmic cultural dancing practices. The artwork style recalls the techniques of the Pop art movement that developed in the United Kingdom and the United States during the mid-to-late-1950s (Kunzle, 1984; Artincontext, 2021). Pop art challenged traditional visual art practices by including images from popular cultures, such as advertising, low-cost and mass-produced printed matter, and gimmicky comic books (Kunzle, 1984; Artincontext, 2021). Furthermore, Kunzle (1984) argued that Pop artists like Andy Warhol, Richard Hamilton, and Roy Lichtenstein drew attention to consumerism in the art market with their works. He further explained that characteristics of pop art include the use of bright colours, basic shapes and thick outlines, among others.
The digital treatment of this visual in vector-based software made the images Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG-based) and a very flexible, colourful visual representation to be evolutionary and a decolonised pop art which was initially Euro-American centric. The art form's creative process challenges traditional hand-painted oil paintings on canvas and yet efficiently captures the dancing women's movement in the illustration.
Ojo Olutunmise Adesola has a PhD in Art and Design: Communication Design from the Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa. He is a practising design lecturer at the Department of Design and Studio Art, Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa. Olutunmise has more than 15 years of active studio practice experience in design, printing and advertising. He is passionate about the visibility of art and design from different parts of the African continent. He has been lecturing in the higher education environment for over 17 years. His scholarly work aligns with the scholars focusing on Visual Art and Communication design education and practices, Innovation and Entrepreneurship training. He has supervised and examined art and design postgraduate students across South African Universities. He has also presented research papers at national and international conferences, participated in several group art exhibitions and published papers in peer-reviewed accredited journals.

What is the Connection between Spirituality and Suffering:
​The Moral and Ethical Obligation for Clinicians

Suffering spares no one and favours no one. Suffering is not partial to any particular gender, race or religion. But serious illness, grief and/or loss invite deep suffering when our lives and relationships are changed forever. Deep suffering opens the door to spirituality as attempts are made to make sense of and heal from suffering. Suffering and spirituality are an inseparable duo. If we as clinicians are to be helpful, what clinical practices are most effective to soften deep suffering in the context of spirituality and promote individual/family healing? From 45 years of clinical practice and study, Dr. Wright will offer the most effective clinical practices that invite illness healing highlighted with actual clinical and personal illness narratives and research.
Dr. Lorraine M Wright, C.M., is a Professor Emeritus of Nursing, University of Calgary. She is also an international speaker, author/blogger, and consultant in family nursing and family therapy.

Her most recent books are Illness Beliefs (3rd ed) (2021); Nurses and Families: A guide to family assessment and intervention (7th ed) (2019); and Suffering and Spirituality: The Path to Illness Healing (2017).

Dr. Wright has presented in some 30 countries. She resides in Calgary, Canada when not travelling the world. Her goal is to visit 100 countries to learn about the clinical practices with individuals and families experiencing illness suffering. She has now visited 82 countries! 

www.lorrainewright.com

Transcending Miracles:
​New Paradigms in Science Can be Key in Unlocking the Potential Capabilities of Human Consciousness

Anomalous and transrational consciousness– often called parapsychology and psi phenomena can seem like the stuff of myth and miracles. New paradigms in physics and neuroscience are not much different. Various types of miracles have been recorded throughout history in mystical texts as well as revealed scriptures of Abrahamic faith: Torah; Bible; and Quran. At a cursory glance, there could be much in common between the miracles of Scripture and the cases reported as psi phenomena and parapsychology since both appear to be supernatural acts that are bewildering or at the very least awe-inspiring. Although most often faced with skepticism, when such phenomena is understood and validated through rigorous scientific scrutiny it can lead to an overall increase in acceptance and contribute towards expanding the definition of what is real and possible. In this paper I explore how emerging research and future directions in quantum physics and neuroscience could provide a better context to understand certain parapsychological phenomena, such as telepathy and telekinesis–through examining the scriptural lore of miracles of Prophets–to help formulate a more comprehensive understanding of the potential capabilities of human consciousness.
Fatin enjoys coming up with uncommon ways of making life meaningful. This has been the common thread woven into her varied and successful enterprises: a decade long career in advertising; setting up a creative agency that advances the cause of non-profits; teaching college students to create compelling brand identities; and becoming an entrepreneur who founded and (still) runs a natural henna business to advocate safe body-art practice. In 2018, after years of struggling with chronic health concerns, Fatin discovered Mind-Body medicine and developed an interest in demystifying the mystical experience to apply it as a pragmatic solution for self and society. Subsequently she got a Master’s in Spirituality Mind Body–Psychology in Education from Columbia University, where she was able to investigate the neuroscientific bases of spirituality and religious practices, positive emotions and mindfulness interventions, and integrate them with her background in creativity. See some of her work at www.zeyrzabr.com

Case report: Integrative support with Falun Gong Mantra for COVID-19 patients via telemedicine

COVID-19 pandemic started in the late 2019 and persisted. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports over 660,000,000 million infected cases and more than 6,700,000 deaths worldwide. However, the actual numbers could be higher. Due to the overload on the health system, many deaths in various communities were not confirmed diagnosis. In Ho Chi Minh City, the peak of the pandemic occured from July to October 2021. In the facet of social isolation, the overload status in hospitals and the shortage of medical facility due to the sudden massive increase in the number of infected cases, many patients were unable to access standard medical care. This situation put a detrimental psychological stress on patients and exacerbate their condition. In this desperate situation, Falun Gong, an ancient Chinese practice presents as an appropriate psychological and spiritual support to enhance patient recovery. Using telemedicine, patients—receptive to the integrated approach—were taught to recite the Falun Gong mantra: “Falun Dafa Is Good; Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance is Good” in Chinese. The outcome of this integration is positive. We present three cases of successful integration of Falun Gong with standard medical care via telemedicine.
Dr. Margaret Trey: Counselor, educator, researcher, and author of two books on Falun Gong, Dr. Trey has a doctorate degree in counseling from The University of South Australia. She started practicing Falun Gong in 1997. In 2001, she began integrating Falun Gong into her counseling practice while she was working at two medical centers in South Australia. Through her writings and speaking at events and international conferences, Dr. Trey creates ripples of hope and positivity.
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margarettrey.com

Effect of Conceptualization on Mental Health and the Attainment of Spiritual Bliss 

Interest in conceptualization has ancient origins and remains of interest today. Conceptualization is the creation of ideas, concepts, or definitions. Conceptualization serves the recognition and categorization of experience, as well as facilitating abstract reasoning and social communication. Ancient philosophers like Plato and Socrates wrestled with the conceptualization of definition and contemporary individuals and societies remain entangled in similar debate. What is a healthy mind? What is a blissful spirit? This presentation integrates the perspective of Aaron T. Beck’s (1921 - 2021) Cognitive Theory and resultant Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on the conceptualization of a healthy mind and a blissful spirit. This presentation posits that cultivating mindful awareness of conceptualizations helps attain mental health, a blissful spirit, and positive change in the world.
Dr. Layven Reguero worked as a fashion photographer in New York City, walked 6,500 kilometers across the United States, studied yoga at the International Society of Vedic and Yogic Sciences in the Himalayas, immersed himself in the Zen of motorcycle maintenance, and maintained a thriving massage therapy practice for almost a decade prior to becoming a Clinical Psychologist. Dr. Reguero is first author on 5 and second author on 24 published book chapters on mental health. He has made 11 conference presentations at psychology conferences on 3 different continents. Dr. Reguero studied neuroimaging at Stanford University for use in his dissertation on anxiety and the default mode network that was successfully defended at Palo Alto University. En route to the doctorate degree Layven obtained 6 years of clinical experience with diverse populations across diverse treatment settings from community mental health to involuntary inpatient hospital services. 

Relating to others through the characteristics of humanistic psychology to cultivate healthy mind and blissful spirit

The founder of person- centered approach Karl Rogers (1902-1987) considered the presence of congruence, unconditional positive regard and accurate empathetic understanding to be essential to the personal growth. By relating to others through the means of person- centered approach we can foster a positive change in the world by helping others to achieve self- actualization in their life. Building positive relationships through the techniques of humanistic psychology might contribute to the development of healthy mind and blissful spirit of an individual and community. The simple daily act of transforming our relationships is essential tool for positive change in the world.
I grew up and spent most of my life in Donbas, in the East Part of Ukraine. In Ukraine I got my Master's degree in Educational Psychology and English Teaching. After graduation I had an opportunity to live and work in China. I learned how beautiful, unique and mysterious Asia is. After a while I moved to the U.S. and now I'm pursuing my Master's degree in Counseling Psychology in the state of Minnesota. I have gained some working experience in substance abuse treatment filed, art therapy, life coaching and now I am working with neuropsychological assessments as a psychometrist. In the future I plan to open my private practice and provide counseling service. In my free time I like working out, doing yoga, reading and writing.

Navigating Muslimhood: A poetic inquiry at the intersection of religion and re-creation

Over the past several years, Dr. Gulamhusein has been exploring the relationship between Canadian immigrants and recreational experiences. What has become apparent is that definitions of recreation expand beyond what is shared in Euro-Western scholarship. Immigrants constantly push boundaries, navigate complex spaces, and are often forced out of their freely chosen recreational pursuits. This presentation offers an opportunity to explore the lived experiences of Muslims. Acknowledging that immigrants are constantly navigating living in-between spaces as marginalized and often socially excluded community members, this research project attempts to create spaces for Muslims to voice their relationship with things that are most important and meaningful to them. What makes this study unique is the methodology. Utilizing collaborative poetry, the research team can understand how recreation, identity, and marginalized identities intersect. We will provide crucial insight into the systemic and interpersonal intersectional factors that Muslims inherit, produce, and subvert through their participation in various recreational activities. The aim is that witnesses walk away with a new understanding of the everyday negotiations of marginalized and socially excluded people.
Dr. Shemine Gulamhusein is a Muslim scholar working, playing, and occupying the lands of the WSÁNEĆ peoples. She has a deep-seated commitment to creative, innovative, and interdisciplinary understandings, dismantling of, and re-creating accessible, culturally grounded, and transformative research. Her research centers on migrant subjectivities, diasporic self-making, theorizing in-between spaces, creating meaning in freely chosen activities (recreation), and grappling with beautifully complex somatic experiences.

sgulamhusein.myportfolio.com

Decolonizing Mental Health Practice: Reconstructing an Asian-Centric Framework Through a Social Justice Lens

This presentation provides a roadmap for the reconstruction of mental health practice from an  Asian-centric framework. This framework centers collectivistic values, (re)integrates religious and spiritual traditions, and elevates the recovery, resilience, and resistance of Asian communities. Western mental health practices are fundamentally situated within systems of power and European colonial hegemony. In both intent and process, these practices continue to be used as tools of neocolonialism in relation to the Asian diaspora. We explore the context of Asian American mental health experiences, which have been characterized by colonialism and current oppressive systems. We highlight the pervasive impact of erasure and appropriation of traditional Asian spiritual
and cultural practices within contemporary mental health practice. Through a social justice lens of postcolonialism, we offer practical ways to shift therapist positionality in order to affirm identity and prevent the perpetuation of neocolonial trauma. These mechanisms are illustrated through clinical case examples of Asian American clients from various ethnicities, faiths, socioeconomic status, and sexual identities. While the paper for this framework focuses on the Asian American experience, our paradigm can be applied globally. Many Asian countries share common impacts of neocolonial agents: Western cultural imperialism, the commodification and secularization of yoga and meditation, the erasure of Asian historical contributions to modern mental health practice, as well as the worldwide proliferation of Western models of psychotherapy as the gold standard. Our Asian-centric framework aims to reshape internal and external narratives in service of the well-being of practitioners and clients.
Ms. Chakrabarti has over 15 years of experience in the behavioral health/wellness field in different capacities such as a therapist, activist, educator, workforce development, and public health professional. Her practice is strengths-based and looks at the individual within their current context. This context can be layered with personal histories along with different historical and systemic narratives. She draws from diverse modalities such as object-relations, emotion-focused therapy, attachment theory, liberation psychology, mindfulness practices based on Eastern philosophies.

The Role of Self-Efficacy, Locus of Control, and Academic Procrastination on Graduate Student Persistence: A Career Sustainability Program

Student persistence is a well-studied research area in the academe, however, there is little to no research regarding the persistence of graduate students – a cohort of individuals juggling studies, career, and familial duties. This descriptive-correlational study examined the relationship among self-efficacy, locus of control and academic procrastination as well as its predictive control over graduate student persistence.
Miko Neco Omondang is a Psychometrician and School Counselor with eight years of experience in the academe from primary to tertiary level. He specializes in psychological test administration, scoring and interpretation and is responsible in conducting counseling and academic coaching among students. Miko also teaches in the undergraduate level for the Psychology program. He uses his positive outlook and tenacity in influencing students and colleagues to become better versions of themselves.

www.smciligan.edu.ph

Self-efficacy and emotional intelligence as factors of students' participation in the CFIC-Campus Ministry activities: Basis for enhancement program

In the present times, the Catholic Church encounters the challenge of getting in touch with the young people as part of its mission to reach all men. The enormity of this challenge can be better understood based on the factors affecting the participation of emotional intelligence and self-efficacy of students. Results attained in this study are hoped to provide an overview of emotional intelligence and self-efficacy among students in relation to their involvement in activities initiated by the Campus Ministry.
Johanna Gilyn Gornez is a School Counselor in the tertiary level with seventeen years of experience in the academe. She is well-versed in activities initiated by the school's Campus Ministry - a center providing services among undergraduate students to help improve their spirituality and faith in God. Presently, she is part of the Guidance Center as a counselor and career guidance advocate. She is a loving wife to her husband and enjoys spending quality time with her three kids.