On Wednesday, April 4^th from 7-9pm, Psychologist Meyrav Barak LMHC will offer a unique lecture on Preventing Bullying and Increasing Empathy. This is a relevant topic in the current days where we are aware of the overwhelming aggression present in our daily lives, in schools, among peers and between kids and parents. This promises to be a lively discussion. The last 30 to 45 minutes of the lecture will be reserved for open discussion.

Objectives:

1. Drawing from different authors like Novick and Novick, Waddell, and Turkell, the presenter will discuss the concept of bullying and transition from a descriptive definition to a more relational understanding of the phenomenon.
2. Parents will learn how to identify aggressive behavior in children throughout development and better discriminate between natural aggression and pathological (i.e. bullying).
3. Parents will develop a more assertive alternative response to aggression based on each stage of development, in order to promote emotional growth, inner strength, and self-esteem. The presenter will touch upon balancing discipline and love by “becoming a container instead of control agent”.
4. Parents will learn to promote empathy and love as the vehicle of change. Inspired by authors like, Donald Winnicott MD, Anthony Wolf PhD and Selma Fraigberg, among others.

Fees & Registration:
There is no fee for this presentation. A $10 optional donation can be made to Parent Association (PA) to benefit MSPCS. Parents do not have to have children enrolled at MSPCS to attend. However, seating is limited. Please sign up through this link to ensure your seat.

Meyrav Barak is a Venezuelan-born, Miami-based Clinical Psychologist with a focus on Psychoanalysis. She earned a Masters Degree from The Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis, and is currently finishing a post doctorate degree in Psychoanalytic Training from the Institute for Psychoanalytic Education (NYU Medical School). Meyrav is a member and a Senior Candidate at the Florida Psychoanalytic Center. Meyrav has worked as a developmental specialist with families and children ranging from 0 to 3 years old from diverse cultural background at the Wayside Youth and family support network in Boston, Massachusetts. She also worked as a Family Therapist for underprivileged families and children in Caracas, Venezuela. In New York City, Meyrav Barak worked at an outpatient clinic in Bleuler Psychotherapy Center and had a private practice where she provided psychotherapy to adults, adolescents and children. Currently, she has a private practice in North Miami where she sees children, adolescents and adults in both Spanish and English.