Introduction to the Right Use of Power: The Heart of Ethics for the Helping Professional

The Right Use of Power teaches ethics from the inside out. Barstow puts forth theory and ideas intended to be of inspiration, for personal exploration and practical guidance and support. Most ethics courses for psychotherapists  focus only on teaching us about the laws and rules. The approach of this work designates the importance of laws and rules as one aspect of right use of power, then it helps people move to a deeper connection to their own ethical nature and an internal sense of their own integrity which in turn increases awareness of right relations with clients.

The Right Use of Power, The Heart of Ethics for the Helping Professional can be helpful to all types of caregivers, counselors, healers, teachers, clergy, educators, administrators, coaches and consultants. With this work we can reframe ethics as the right use of power, understanding it as power and heart.  This is a significant shift as it allows the heart to remain connected, bringing compassion to power and power to compassion.

Learning objectives:

• Discuss the four dimensions of The Right Use of Power as a model for embodied Ethic for the helping professional.
• Define power and ethics, reflect on the urgent need for right use of power in all relations.
• Explore a felt sense of the power differential and increase awareness of the impact of our behavior.
• Increase awareness of positional power and personal power.

About the Speaker:

Eva Fajardo, MA, LMHC, CAP
Owner
Private Practice

Eva Fajardo earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with honors (1974) from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, and a Master of Arts Degree in Mental Health Counseling (1989) from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.

She completed her Master's internship, specializing in psychoneuroimmunology, at The Getting Well Program in Orlando, Florida, where she counseled persons with chronic illness. For eight years, Eva worked in the field of addictions treatment in both private hospital and public agency settings. She served for three years as the Clinical Director of a women's residential and outpatient addictions treatment program. In the addictions setting, Eva has worked as counselor, outpatient coordinator, assessment/ intervention specialist, educator, board member and clinical director. She has been a Certified Addictions Professional (C.A.P.) since 1990.

Eva entered private practice in November 1992, offering general mental health and addictions counseling to individuals, couples, groups and families. Eva continues to maintain an active private practice, which now includes consultation and coaching.

In January 2003, Eva was invited to teach as an adjunct Professor in the Psychology Department of Hamilton Holt School of Rollins College. She also develops and presents trainings and workshops. She has presented in corporate and small business settings as well as in workshops with colleagues, students, clients and the general population.

Since 1973, Eva has been exploring the common ground between psychology and spirituality. Concurrent with her academic work, she has studied with prominent spiritual teachers and guides in both eastern and western traditions. She integrates her insights from these wisdom teachings with those from current best practices in counseling to offer her clients a wealth of opportunities for growth.

Areas of specialty include:
- Addictions recovery: drugs, alcohol, sex, food, relationships
- Couples/relationships
- Multicultural
- HIV/AIDS, cancer and other chronic illnesses
- GLBT
- Anxiety
- Life transitions
- Personal and spiritual growth: conscious and intentional living