ASDI Upcoming Events

Click on links below:

ASDI Communications

Other Communications

ASDI's Upcoming Events

(This educational program will be repeated periodically.
In the interim, individual and small group services are available.)

Scroll down for Mindfulness Meditation Class

Fear of Flying Class

Prior to the next class, individual work on fear of flying, a support group, and practice flights can be arranged.

Afraid to Fly?
New Fear of Flying Class will be offered in the fall.

The next Fear of Flying Class will be scheduled when a quorum of potential participants has been reached. In the meantime, please contact Dr. Steven Shearer (410-938-8452) to set up an initial evaluation. The fee for the initial evaluation may be covered by insurance and is not part of the cost for the class. Once the evaluation has been completed and you have paid a $75 registration fee to indicate your commitment to attending a future class, your name will be added to the wait list. You will be contacted as soon as there are enough participants to schedule a class.

Between classes or as an alternative, individual preparation and practice flights are also available. You are welcome to attend the monthly support group (See "ASDI Groups") while waiting for a new class to form. Feedback from graduates from former classes indicates that the support group was a key ingredient in the success they had on their class flights.

Registration forms can be obtained by emailing Stephnie Thomas at stephniet@verizon.net. Information about the class itself, and the facilitator, Stephnie Thomas, can be obtained on her website (www.stephthomas.com).

Sample Class Structure & Fees:

Session 1 will be Saturday, June 6, 1:00 - 5:00 pm at ASDI.

Session 2 will be Saturday, June 20, 5:00 - 9:00 pm at BWI airport. This session includes a tour of one airline's facilities and conversation with a pilot. (Times may change due to Southwest Airlines' needs.)

Session 3: Practice Flight Day will be scheduled for Saturday, June 27, times to be announced at Session 1. Participants will be required to set aside the entire day for Practice Flight day. (For example, a recent class flew to Pittsburgh around 2:00 pm and arrived back at BWI around 7 pm.)

Class dates will be finalized with registrants after the $75 registration fee has been received from a minimum of 5 participants . The balance of $525 is to be paid at time of service or on a payment plan negotiated with the facilitator on a case-by-case basis.

Where: BWI airport and ASDI. Total Cost: $600 The total cost of $600* per person includes airfare and the non-refundable registration fee of $75. Note that participants will be required to have an initial evaluation by a licensed ASDI therapist before enrolling for the class. This evaluation is an additional cost to be negotiated with the therapist. (Insurance may reimburse some of this cost.) NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE ALLOWED. * This is a non-negotiable fee. Payment plans are available if needed.

(No, we don't really have our own plane!)

General Information: Education regarding the fears associated with flying will be presented during the class time. Participants will be taught how to use cognitive and behavioral techniques to cope with their fears. During the practice flight participants will learn to put into practice what has been learned the previous weeks. Homework assignments will be given to participants between sessions. Participants may opt to attend the classroom portion of the class only, but will be required to pay the full cost whether or not they participate in the practice flight. If the facilitator agrees that an extreme illness or emergency prevented a participant from taking the practice flight on the date allocated there are two options: 1) Wait until the next class to take a practice flight (which may take several months, depending on interest levels.) 2) Take a flight sooner. However, this would be significantly more expensive, since you will be expected to both reimburse for the extra airline ticket required and pay an additional fee for the extra time required of the facilitator. The class is intended as an initial exposure to flying without overwhelming fear. Participants will be encouraged to continue flying either on their own or with facilitation from ASDI staff after this event. An on-going support group that meets once a month is available after the class is completed. Incidental costs for meals, transportation to and from the airport(s), etc., are the responsibility of attendees. Parking at ASDI is free. Parking information at BWI can be obtained from the BWI website: www.bwiairport.com

Facilitator: Stephnie Thomas (410) 938-8457 x2 (voicemail); (410) 236-1470(cell); stephniet@verizon.net

Stephnie Thomas, is an anxiety disorders specialist, trained in coaching participants to learn to deal with their anxieties in real life settings. She has several years experience in working successfully with fearful fliers and works under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. ASDI wishes to thank Southwest Airlines and BWI airport for their assistance in supporting this program.

(This educational program will be repeated periodically.
In the interim, individual and small group services are available.)

Mindfulness Meditation Instruction

by
Joan Pfeiffer, L.C.S.W.-C.

Six Tuesday evenings, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
October 6th through November 10th, 2009

Mindfulness Meditation is a method that allows one to rest in full awareness of the present moment. Most of our thoughts focus on the past or future. As a result, we miss the vividness and vitality of what is right in front of us and our five senses.

Not living in the "here and now" can also make symptoms of anxiety and depression worse. Although not a substitute for psychotherapy, mindfulness practice can be a valuable adjunct to therapy. And it can be useful to anyone interested in living in a more awake way. This is not group therapy. No personal disclosure is required.

The core of the classes will be experiential. Various modalities of mindfulness will be practiced including traditional (non-religious) sitting meditation, the "body scan," mindful walking, and learning to bring mindfulness into everyday life situations. Suggestions for further reading and practice at home will be included. No previous experience is necessary.

Joan Pfeiffer, L.C.S.W.-C. has been practicing meditation for 12 years. For further information, you may contact her at 410-938-8463.

Advance registration is required.
Location of training: Room 200, The Gibson Bldg.,on the campus of Sheppard Pratt Hospital

Cost $160.00 (If paid in full by 9/21/09, cost is $140.00)
Make checks payable to Joan Pfeiffer and mail to her at 6525 N. Charles Street, Gibson Bldg., Towson, MD 21204

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION TRAINING (10/6/09-11/10/09)

Name ____________________________________________

Phone #(s) ________________________________________

(Please include this information with your check and mail to the address noted above)