Study at the East Side Institute

The Institute offers a variety of ways for participants to study with us: in-person or online, short-term or long-term, and as part of your personal and/or professional development…

The International Class

A 10-month program in the Institute’s approach to human development and community building. The program combines residencies in New York City and seminars, supervision, and project development sessions conducted online. Open to practitioners, social entrepreneurs and scholars across all disciplines from the NYC area, across the US and throughout the world. More.

Social Therapeutics Online

This certificate program is an opportunity for in-depth study of social therapeutics with Lois Holzman, who worked for over thirty years with Fred Newman in developing the approach. Holzman, along with guest faculty, will guide students in an exploration of the foundations, politics, philosophy and community-based applications of this unique group performatory approach to human development and learning. More

An Introduction to Social Therapeutics and Its Community Stages

A 5-week online course exploring social therapeutics as a methodology for human social-emotional-intellectual-cultural development in diverse settings (psychotherapy, youth development, education and the workplace). Offered spring, fall and winter. Sign up online here.

Classes, Workshops, Special Events

Throughout the year, the Institute offers class series, one-time workshops and webinars and special guest lectures and other events — most, accessible online — and open to colleagues worldwide. Typically, class participants include a (developmental!) mix of educators, psychologists, youth workers, community organizers, and others, simply curious and impassioned about advancing new approaches to human development. Please see our Calendar of Events for upcoming offerings. More

Course of Study

The Institute offers flexible learning options for professionals from a variety of fields to study the social therapeutic method outside of a formalized training program. Individualized courses of study are designed to meet the needs and concerns of students interested in social therapy from different perspectives, among them • clinical practice • postmodern methodology • creative community building • leadership development • a new learning model (for all ages) Contact Lois Holzman at lholzman@eastsideinstitute.org.

Research

Our approach to research has “family resemblances” to action, qualitative and participatory research. Drawing upon Vygotsky’s insight that a new unit of study (human activity) requires a new method of study, we radically reject the implicit objective/subjective duality and distance of standard research techniques. We host visiting scholars, including undergraduate interns, graduate students, visiting professors and practitioners, for training and collaboration ranging from a few weeks to a year. Contact Lois Holzman: lholzman@eastsideinstitute.org.

Staff Development

Institute faculty serve as consultants to social service agencies, hospitals, schools and other organizations. The focus of our work is to help staff members exercise their creativity, learn to work collaboratively, and shift their focus to activity, improvisation, and development. Staff trainings are conducted both on-site at schools and organizations and at the Institute’s offices. Contact Melissa Meyer: MMeyer@eastsideinstitute.org.

Speaking

Institute faculty are available to come to campuses and organizations to speak with your students and staff. They share the inspiring work of a fast-growing “performance activist” international community who are shaping a new form of social activism, grounded in the capacity to perform and create environments for community and social transformation. Contact Mary Fridley: MFridley@eastsideinstitute.org.

Internship Program

Social Therapy is a group psychotherapy in which clients work together with therapists to create a therapeutically helpful environmnent – meaning an environment for social-emotioal growth. It is a collaborative, philosophically oriented, non-medical model approach that is at the leading edge of the post modern movement in psychology. Interns will be introduced to Social Therapy theory and practice, and to the programs and activites of the Institute. Each intern will meet regularly with a social therapist who will serve as a mentor and advisor, and help conceptualize a final project that expresses the intern’s learning and contributes to the Institute. More.

Refund Policy

5 Weeks Prior to Start Date

100% Refund minus $35.00 Admin Fee or Credit

4 Weeks Prior to Start Date
75% Refund minus $35.00 Admin Fee or Credit

3 Weeks Prior to Start Date
50% Refund minus $35.00 Admin Fee or Credit

2 Weeks Prior to Start Date
No Refund.