Cybernetic Psychotherapy Supervision Group:

I would like to start a psychotherapy supervision group oriented around cybernetic (or systems) theory.  Ideally, we would meet once a week to discuss cases.  Familiarity with the work of Gregory Bateson and more specifically the book Change: Principles of Problem Formation and Problem Resolution (1974) is needed but not a prerequisite.  We would work with ongoing cases using paradox, second-order change, et al.  Ideal participants would be Masters or PhD/PsyD students, but any clinical practitioner is welcome.  In fact, those working in disparate disciplines could contribute some fresh air and ideas that apply to psychotherapy and are welcome to contact me.  Living in Mexico is not required.  Those in practicum could use this supervision group for credit in their respective programs.  I encourage those interested in participating to e-mail me with their details and we can go from there.  Most likely, we will meet via Skype.

My e-mail: primavera@post.harvard.edu
My site: https://antonioprimavera.com/

Me and Michell Obama:

https://www.bokus.com/bok/9781732467903/santa-muerte-and-the-mexican-death-cult/

This is hilarious!  A Norwegian book site, Bokus, suggests pairing my book with Michelle Obama's Becoming!  What a great Christmas gift!  And only 398 Kroner!  :)

This title, Becoming, is funny.  A philosopher once said that the will to be has been replaced by the will to become and, in the future, will be replaced by the will to appear, to seem.  Seeming would be a better title for a book by a woman whose fame comes from simply being married to a once-powerful man who received the Nobel Prize for Seeming, Appearing.

New Book!

Santa Muerte and the Mexican Death Cult
Antonio Primavera

Hello Friends, Family, Colleagues, Patients Current and Former!

My book Santa Muerte and the Mexican Death Cult is finally published and available through Amazon, Google, and the like.  Over ten years of research and writing has come to fruition.  I am heaving a deep sigh of relief.  Now, go buy the book!

https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Muerte-Mexican-Death-Cult/dp/1732467900/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1542290747&sr=8-1

BUY THE BOOK:
https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Muerte-Mexican-Death-Cult/dp/1732467900/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1542290747&sr=8-1

"Life Coaching"

I thought I might say a few words about the recent trend of “life coaching.” It has taken off lately, like barber shops, tattoos, and craft beer. In Mexico, one can practice psychotherapy with a Bachelor’s degree (which is not the case in the US). I think that’s great, as I have learned much more through years of practice than I ever learned in fancy, expensive schools. So, the sooner one begins practicing the better.

The thing with “life coaching,” is that it pretends to not be psychotherapy and masks itself with a sports metaphor. To be a “life coach,” one need only attend a talk and receive a certificate…or not. There are no rules or qualifications that govern “life coaching.” One can simply say, “I’m a life coach,” and one is a “life coach.”

Psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors, psychiatrists, etc., have to go through many years of schooling, followed by possibly years of supervised practice for licensure, before they can call themselves such. In fact, in the US, one has to have a PhD to even be considered a psychologist.

So, that’s just my two cents. If one is helped by “life coaching,” then great! People can be helped in many ways by many different methods. Mexican curanderas (or traditional healers) have healed me when I have been physically sick. So there is no reason to believe that “life coaching” won’t be helpful to some…especially if they are into sports and being told what to do.

EXPOWEED

The English Translation:

It is the maximum meeting of the cannabis industry in Mexico, being the first educational fair with commercial exchange.

It is an event that originated in Chile, where it has been celebrated for 5 years, and since 2016 the Mexican edition has been held. Involving international speakers and workshops to provide knowledge of the medicinal, industrial, and ancestral uses of the cannabis plant.

Hopefully there will be information and sources for completely legal CBD (see previous posts).

http://www.expoweedmexico.com/

Mexico Could Make History By Treating CBD Like A Supplement, As It Should Be

 An interesting article, and in in Forbes Magazine no less.

CBD

With the legalization of marijuana/cannabis in many states in the US and many countries the world over, lots of new and interesting research is being done on this ancient medicinal plant.  

Of special interest here is Cannabidiol or CBD.  This is legal even in Mexico. The liberal government of the Distrito Federal (DF) (now known as Ciudad de Mexico or CDMX...marketing) decriminalized possession of small amounts of all drugs back in 2008, mostly to combat low-level police corruption.

 

But CBD is a "drug" that, despite coming from the marijuana plant, does not produce psychoactive effects.

The list of healthful effects that it does produce is pretty impressive: pain relief, reduction of anxiety and depression, alleviation of cancer-related symptoms, promotes heart health, among many others as outlined in this article or this article (W3C access compliant: https://dopasolution.com/cannabidiol/)

After talking with a colleague in the US about his experiences with CBD oil (I had never even heard of it.) a few months ago, I decided to give it a try myself.  I have to say that my overall sense of well-being is greatly improved.  Chronic pains that have plagued me for a long time are now gone.  I feel generally more relaxed, yet alert.  

I sound like a salesman!  I am not selling CBD oil myself.  I just thought I would pass on this info, as I do to patients in need.  

Maybe CBD will benefit you.

There are listings for CBD oil on Mercado Libre.  If you know of other places to buy it (physical stores and the like), please let me know.  

NAMASTE ~Antonio