Date: April 28, 2005
Contact: Barbara Schoof Conant
barbaraconant@aging.state.ks.us
Director of Communications
(785) 296-6154
Being able to actually speak the words that often stick in your throat during difficult conversations takes “courage, clarity and thoughtfulness,” advises Harriet Lerner, Ph.D. As the keynote luncheon speaker at the upcoming 2005 Governor’s Conference on Aging Services, Lerner will offer attendees “voice lessons” in overcoming the anxiety and fear that often inhibits our ability to successfully tackle difficult conversations.
One of the most respected voices on the psychology of women and family relationships, Lerner will speak May 4 in Maner Conference Center at Topeka’s Capitol Plaza Hotel at 11:30 a.m. Her presentation, entitled “Voice Lessons: A Blueprint for Clarity and Courage in Difficult Conversations,” is sponsored by the Kansas Foundation for Medical Care.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Lerner as this year’s conference keynote speaker,” said Secretary Pamela Johnson-Betts, Kansas Department on Aging. “Dr. Lerner’s expertise and insight into human interactions underscores the conference theme, “Life is a Journey.” KDOA sponsors the annual two-day event attended by more than 600 persons including professionals in the areas of health, social work, mental health within the aging network.
For conference attendees, Lerner said she will teach the “10 most important steps for speaking courageously, clearly and with joyful integrity.”
Lerner clarifies though that “there are no easy steps to relational bliss or for speaking wisely and well. “It is difficult to make ourselves heard in conversations where there is a lot of anxiety and intensity. Our challenge becomes, ‘how do you take a clear position and one that is most respectful to your authentic self.’ These conversations are very hard and it takes a courageous voice to not just say what you think but rather to talk about what matters to you in a way that enhances the other person and maintains your own authentic self.”
Lerner is a former staff psychologist at the Menninger Clinic in Topeka and the author of a number of books and articles, including the well-known series of “Dance” books - “The Dance of Anger,” “The Dance of Intimacy,” “The Dance Deception,” “The Mother Dance” and “The Dance of Connection.” Lerner, who lives in Lawrence, is in private practice with her husband, Dr. Stephen Lerner.
In addition to Lerner’s keynote presentation, the conference features about 30 break-out sessions on topics of interest to seniors, their caregivers and family members.
Tickets to Lerner’s presentation and the conference luncheon are available for $20. Registration information is available on the KDOA website at http://www.agingkansas.org. Lerner will be available to sign copies of her latest book, “The Dance of Fear,” following the luncheon.