3-part series addresses dealing with bullying in the workplace

A three-part series on “Facing the Bully Without & Within,” especially in the workplace, will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions in the series but are welcome to attend as many as possible.

The series will be led by Dr. Beth Plachetka, a licensed clinical social worker, and Dr. Charlotte Dillon, a clinical psychologist, to facilitate reflection and equip participants with skills and greater awareness about dealing with bullying.

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.”

The first session, “We Are One Body,” will include lecture, stories and interaction in which participants will develop the ability to verbalize the bullying process, identify the roles in bullying, recognize the characteristics of those involved, identify system issues that contribute to bullying, and apply this knowledge to various examples drawn from personal experience, Biblical situations, literature and the media.

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.

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.

Each session in the series will last two hours. Future meetings include “Movements of the Heart” on January 23 and “Standing Strong Against Bullying” on April 20.

A free-will offering at the door will be welcomed, and reservations are encouraged by Monday, Oct. 21.

“Facing the Bully Without & Within” is part of St. Thomas’ Wellspring series 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 this interesting and informative program, 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.