Division of Humanistic Psychology American PsychologicalAssociation
2004-2005
PRESIDENT
Scott D. Churchill
University of Dallas
1845 East Northgate Drive
Irving, Texas 75062-4736
To Whom It May Concern:
Last summer I visited Francesco Palmirotta at Solinio, his psychotherapy center in Puglia, which he and his colleagues have created in the vicinity of Bari (where I also visited his professional offices). I was most impressed with Dr. Palmirotta’s innovative and original work, insofar as it shares many fundamental assumptions of the American movement of humanistic psychology, as well as the European depth psychologies. It is also clear that Palmirotta also draws much of his inspiration from the recent advances in the scientific study of the impact of music and of music-making on the human psyche.
Palmirotta himself is a kind of “Renaissance Man”, insofar as he combines his love of philosophy and his own artistic and musical talents with his practice of psychology and the healing arts in general. At his offices in Bari, I observed his music therapy rooms, in which patients find a sheltering place within which to explore their passions as well as their inner conflicts. There he has established a formidable alternative to those recent and “trendy” prescription-oriented therapies that threaten the very core of what it means to be a psychological healer. I was impressed by his 25-year history of therapeutic success in the treatment of various mental illnesses.
In his vision for the healing arts, as expressed in his many fascinating writings, Palmirotta brings us back to the sources for healing that lie deep within ourselves, in the regions of the psyche that are accessible to direct as well as symbolic expression. The scientific as well as psychotherapeutic value of his continuing investigations merit the admiration of his peers, as well as support from his profession.
Through my own personal visits with Francesco, I have come to experience the value of his approach, and have witnessed the positive and curative effects of his practices on his former patients, who are now living together communally in a mutually supportive and nourishing environment. Francesco’s therapeutic village in Puglia has successfully demonstrated that patients seeking help for their psychological vulnerabilities can be well served when they are treated with mutual respect and allowed to take part in the course of their own “treatment.”
I encourage you to support Dr. Palmirotta’s programs so that he may continue to help others to help themselves, through his applications of psychological insight as well as his spiritual generosity.
Scott D. Churchill, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Professor and Director of Graduate Programs
University of Dallas
Commenti recenti