*All registrants are required to select an item from the potluck list to bring*
Book Title: The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel
Book Description: Michael Finkel's book is a closeup portrait of Christopher Knight, the man who lived alone for almost three decades deep in the Maine woods in a makeshift encampment with no human contact and no livelihood or income until he was arrested for burglary in 2013. For 27 years until his arrest, Knight sustained himself by breaking into nearby lakeside cottages while the homeowners were away, stealing food, clothing, and supplies -- including 1000’s of books! Once in custody, Knight confessed to 1000’s of burglaries, his only motive being that he was simply and profoundly averse to living in society. So, when the State of Maine had to determine what to do with him -- specifically how to prosecute him, they faced a dilemma: Was Knight mentally ill? He was compliant and respectful, also intelligent and sensitive, albeit extremely uncomfortable with people. Finkel, a writer with a checkered past himself, became fascinated with Knight's story, and over the course of 9 one-hour jailhouse interviews (the only interviews Knight gave to anyone) Finkel developed a relationship with a man who spent more than half his life rejecting relationships.
Rationale for Suggesting This Book: Though not defined as a clinical case study, the book’s story becomes an exploration of questions such as: What is mental illness? How do we define pathology? Who gets to decide? What does it mean to be a member of society? What does it mean to opt out or withdraw? How can society accommodate those for whom society is more a cause of distress than a comfort? Knight’s character becomes a Rorschach test for his burglary victims, some of whom wanted him sentenced to prison, while others hoped he could be released and somehow be left alone. Finally, what is the self if not in relationship? Can there be a self without relationship? This book lends itself to a very rich discussion of clinical concepts and social mores around social withdrawal, attachment, differential diagnosis, the criminal justice system, empathy, and so much more.
Proposed Clinical Goals: By reading the book and participating in the discussion, participants will:
1. Assess the limitations and utility of the DSM, especially when deployed by the criminal justice system.
2. Question diagnostic labels such as: Schizoid Personality Disorder, Autism, Depression.
3. Review the development of the self, what we know from Winnicott and the neurobiology of attachment.
4. Discuss when and why idiosyncratic life choices should be considered pathological.
The Presenter: Merin Wexler, MSS, LCSW, is Coordinator of the PSCSW Awards For Clinical Excellence Program and earned her MSS from Bryn Mawr GSSWSR in 2011. She has worked in community mental health and is currently in private practice in Northwest Philadelphia. Merin is trained in psychodynamic and interpersonal modalities and has extensive training in EEG neurofeedback and breath practices to calm the nervous system.
This event is open to PSCSW members only. Participants who attend this program must be present for its entirety to earn 3 clinical credits.
Continuing Education Credits:
FOR PENNSYLVANIA SOCIAL WORKERS, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS, AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS: This program is approved for 3 credits for professional workshops sponsored by the Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work, a state affiliate of the Clinical Social Work Association listed in Section 47.36 of Title 49, Chapter 47 of the PA Code, State Board of Social Work Examiners. This program is also approved for 2 credits for professional workshops for marriage & family therapists (Section 48.36) and professional counselors (Section 49.36).
FOR NEW JERSEY SOCIAL WORKERS: This program is approved for 3 clinical credits. Attendance at programs or courses given at state and national social work association conferences, where the criteria for membership is an academic degree in social work, are a valid source of continuing education clinical credit (N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.4(c)4).