Parenthood, Café Psychologique, Tuesday 26 March

Parents – we all had them at some point, but do they do as Philip Larkin suggested (This be the verse) or are they the foundation of our existence? If everyone knows there is no possibility of being a perfect parent, why does it feel as if many parents try to be just that (and feel guilty when they aren’t)? And, is entering parenthood the point you reach your peak and it’s all downhill from there in an increasingly steep slide into biological redundancy, or is it just the beginning of a new life for you as well as your children? Fiona Thorne is a Clinical Psychologist and will introduce the conversation on Tuesday 26 March, 8.00 pm at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton, Leeds. There is a poster to download here: Café Psychologique March 2013

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Internet Dating: Like or Unlike? Café Psychologique 26 February

Valentine’s day has come and gone, romance has been found and lost for some. Many though don’t know how to find ways of meeting likely others between the pressures of work, home and a transient, fragmentary society. Does the internet have the answer or is this just another way of taking money from vulnerable people? Can true love be found online or is it just a superhighway to frustration, deception and disappointment? Jo Bedford is a regular at Café Psychologique and will introduce the conversation on Tuesday 26 February, 8.00 pm at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton, Leeds. There is a poster to download here: Café Psychologique Poster

Singles, couples and others all welcome!

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New Café Psychologique in Manchester, starts 22 January

The first Café Psychologique in Manchester will take place on Tuesday 22 January 2013, run by Group Analysis North. Group Analyst, Antony Froggett will introduce the theme of Relationships and it will be hosted by Café Psychologique Founder, Group Analyst, Chris Powell.

The Café will start at 8.00 pm at Kro Bar, Oxford Road, Manchester. There is a poster to download here: Manchester Cafe January 2013

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Giving Something Back: Selfless or Selfish? Café Psychologique 29 January

Helping others – many of us do it, often through voluntary work, community activism, working in a helping profession. But why do we do it? Is it really for the benefit of others, sometimes to the detriment of ourselves? Or are we really motivated by self-interest? Jacinta Kent is a campaigner and activist and will introduce this theme at Café Psychologique on Tuesday 29 January, 8.00 pm at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton, Leeds. There is a poster to download here: Café Psychologique Poster

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Death: avoid, deny, accept. Café Psychologique 27 November

Death – the real final frontier. It comes to us all but we hardly ever talk about it. Certainly not about our own. Dr Carol Martin, clinical psychologist, will help us talk about the big D at Café Psychologique on Tuesday 27 November, 8.00 pm at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton, Leeds. There is a poster to download here: Café PsychologiqueNovember2012

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Sex: what’s the big deal? Café Psychologique, 30 October

apart from the survival of the species, of course… Apparently ‘sex sells’, ‘it’s all men are interested in, ‘it’s a deal-breaker’, we ‘can’t get enough of it’ and ‘there’s far too much of it’. In all the moralising, exploitation, and discussion of sex, whatever happens to what it is really about and why it is so important to us? Dr Ruth Sutherland, a clinical psychologist, will introduce Sex to Café Psychologique on Tuesday 30 October, 8.00 pm at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton, Leeds. There is a poster to download here: Café Psychologique October 2012

The more attentive may notice that sex has been the theme once before at Café Psychologique, but, in the words of one participant on our Facebook page: ‘It was good but it was more foreplay really…’. Let’s see if the conversation can go all the way this time.

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Café Psychologique Love Arts Special, Tuesday 9 October, White Cloth Gallery

Café Psychologique is a space where people can talk about life over a drink from a psychological perspective and meets monthly in Chapel Allerton. This special Café, as part of Love Arts, takes place in White Cloth Gallery to connect with the exhibition ‘England’s Dreaming’ by artist Ewen Spencer. The Café will take the theme of Leaving Home, and will be introduced by Dr Mark Willis, psychiatrist and family therapist, and Steve Cansdale, family therapist. Chris Powell, group analyst, will host the café, and the conversation will be by you. Arrive at 7.00 pm to look at the exhibition. The conversation starts at 8.00 pm. Come prepared to talk, think, listen and be astonished by what happens when people talk in a group.

White Cloth Gallery is on Aire Street, near Leeds Railway Station, map and directions here.

You can download a poster here: Café Psychologique at Love Arts 2012

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Sport: Why do people get so worked up? Café Psychologique 25 Sept

No one can deny there’s been a great deal of sport this summer. Or that there’s been a great deal of fuss about it. But whether you love, loathe or are indifferent to sport, it’s hard not to wonder why people get so worked up about chasing a ball round a field, jumping over something, or making something go fast. Nick Tanna, group analyst and sports aficionado will introduce the conversation at Café Psychologique on Tuesday 25 September at 8 pm in Seven Arts. You can download full information here: Café Psychologique September 2012.

A conversation for anyone who loves, loathes or is indifferent to sport.

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Mindfulness: Café Psychologique, 24 July 8pm

Mindfulness is being talked about in all sorts of places as being the cure for all sorts of things. This Café gives opportunity to talk about what mindfulness is, where it comes from, what it’s useful for, how you could find out more, and how it could be made part of your life. Dr Kamila Hortynska, clinical psychologist, will introduce the conversation at Café Psychologique on Tuesday 24 July at 8 pm in Seven Arts. You can download full information here: Café Psychologique July 2012

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Bullying and the media: Café Psychologique, 26 June 8 pm

The media – both new social media, and the older forms of newspapers and television – allow people to say things in bullying ways, but without having to confront their victims in the flesh. The latest British Social Attitudes Survey suggests public attitudes are shifting to the right. Is this a reflection of the influence of a bullying media where the unfortunate and vulnerable are used as fodder for political capital or entertainment? Oliver Cross, journalist and Yorkshire Evening Post columnist, will introduce the conversation at Café Psychologique on Tuesday 26June at 8 pm in Seven Arts. You can download full information here: Café Psychologique 26 June 2012

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