3-part bullying series continues at St. Thomas the Apostle Church

Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions in the series, “Facing the Bully Without & Within,” but are welcome to attend as many of the meetings as possible.

The series, being led by Dr. Beth Plachetka, a licensed clinical social worker, and Dr. Charlotte Dillon, a clinical psychologist, seeks to facilitate reflection and equip participants with skills and greater awareness about dealing with bullying. The series consists of teaching, story-telling, reflection, small and larger group discussions, and prayers for healing.

Basing their comments on the neurosciences and research in attachment, both speakers agree, “We live our best lives when we are connected and nourished in healthy relational and spiritual connections.” They add, “We all know we live in a very complex world in which the standards for how we treat one another are, in many instances, at an all-time low. Our hope in this series is to identify ways to address one aspect of how we treat one another: bullying, especially in the workplace.”

In describing “Movements of the Heart,” Dr. Dillon notes, “We learn to treat each other from our earliest relationships. Without a sense of secure attachment and belonging, any one of us could develop the ability to bully others. By examining our attachment history and current patterns of relating, we can grow to understand how our own well-being and that of others are impacted by our attachment history.”

Participants also will have an opportunity to take an attachment survey and learn their current attachment adaptations through a variety of experiential exercises.

Dr. Dillon teaches that how we treat one another is a core value of Christian discipleship. Specializing in developmental trauma, she has extensive training in tracking the nervous and attachment systems to promote trauma resolution and healing. She holds an M.A. in pastoral studies from Loyola University and helps her clients integrate spiritual formation with psychological well-being.

Dr. Plachetka, also a professional educator, relies on her experience as a target of workplace bullying; doctoral research; her work with individuals, families and groups; and current study of trauma and attachment to offer deep practical knowledge of workplace issues and interventions. She is an active member of the International Association of Workplace Bullying and Harassment.

Each session in the series will last two hours. The concluding session of the series, “Standing Strong Against Bullying,” will be held April 20.

A free-will offering at the door will be welcomed, and reservations are encouraged to assure adequate seating.

“Facing the Bully Without & Within” is part of St. Thomas’ Wellspring ongoing programs co-sponsored by the Pastoral Care and Adult Faith Formation Departments. Wellspring seeks to present interactive educational experiences whose goal is promoting a wholistic way of life that includes body-mind-spirit integration and well-being.

For reservations or more information about “Movements of the Heart,” contact Marge Coronado, religious education assistant at St. Thomas the Apostle, at (630) 355-8980, ext. 118 or at mcoronado@stapostle.org.

St. Thomas the Apostle, a parish of the Diocese of Joliet, strives to bear the Good News of God’s unconditional love to all generations through worship, faith formation, witness and service. Organized in 1984, the St. Thomas faith community numbers more than 3,400 households of more than 10,750 people. Complete news and information on parish events, guest speakers and special programs is available at www.stapostle.org. For general parish information, please call (630) 355-8980.