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2013-2015 Didactic Program Readings

The American College of Orgonomy
Training Program in Medical Orgone Therapy

Questions about the ACO Training Program in Medical Orgonomy and requests for information regarding course scheduling and fees may be addressed to:
Charles Konia, M.D., Chairman
Training and Education Committee
The American College of Orgonomy
P.O. Box 490
Princeton, New Jersey 08542

Phone (908) 821-1144
Fax (908) 821-0174

Overview of the Training Program
The training program of the American College of Orgonomy is dedicated to providing its participants with a solid understanding of the theoretical foundation of medical orgone therapy, and with the clinical skills necessary for the responsible practice of this unique form of bio-psychiatric treatment developed by William Reich, M.D., a student and colleague of Sigmund Freud. Medical orgone therapy provides a particularly effective treatment for many emotional illnesses, including some currently thought to be incurable. It is based on the knowledge that emotional problems are rooted in physical processes deeper than verbal psychology. Medical orgone therapy, therefore, integrates the best of the verbal techniques, character-analysis, with somatic techniques that directly address muscular tensions and respiratory inhibition. By relieving characterological and muscular rigidity (armor), it restores to the individual a more natural way of functioning. Dr. Reich, in the early 1950’s, appointed Dr. Elsworth F. Baker to continue the training of medical orgonomists. In 1968, Dr. Baker founded the American College of Orgonomy. One of its functions was (and is) to maintain the highest standards in the practice of this therapy. Toward this end, training is provided exclusively by medical orgonomists who are psychiatrists board certified by both the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology as well as by the American Board of Medical Orgonomy.

The American College of Orgonomy offers training in medical orgonomy to qualified physicians in the fundamentals of orgonomic medical science, clinical assessment of character structure, character analysis and psychiatric orgone therapy. Training consists of personal characteranalytic and biophysical restructuring, didactic and clinical seminars, and clinical supervision and laboratory work in orgone biophysics. Periodic examinations are given to evaluate the participant’s progress.

Curriculum of the Training Program
Features of the overall course of the training program are as follows: A candidate may apply to the Chairman of the Education and Training Committee and be referred to a training therapist to begin character restructuring, or he may, during the course of his personal therapy with a training therapist express, an interest in training. When his therapist has determined that the candidate has sufficiently resolved both characterological and biophysical armoring so that they would not interfere with his participation in training, the training therapist recommends application to the training program. The candidate is then interviewed by the members of the Training Committee in part to determine the soundness of his motivation. If approved he is invited to begin the basic theoretical course (Didactic Course). When the didactic material in this course on general principles and specific character types has been completed, his progress is reviewed by the Training Committee and a determination is made as to whether he is ready to take the next step. If so, he is invited to join the clinical seminars. At the end of the Didactic Course the Training Committee again reviews the trainee’s progress. If deemed ready, he is invited to join the clinical seminars (assuming he has not already done so).

At the same time, a decision is made as to his readiness to begin the treatment of patients with medical orgone therapy. If approved, he is assigned an individual supervisor to oversee his treatment of patients. At this point in his training, the orgonomist-in-training may also request to sit in on sessions in order to observe therapy conducted by other training therapists. The course of training is open-ended from this point on. At some time of his own choosing, the trainee must complete the Advanced Laboratory Workshop in Orgone Biology and Biophysics.

ACO Training Program
Admission and Participation Requirements


A. General Statement
In addition to using all the resources available to the traditional psychiatrist, the medical orgonomist employs highly effective therapeutic interventions that are based on a clinically grounded understanding of character and muscular armor, the psychosomatic relationship and the relationship between patient and therapist. The therapist’s capacity for deep energetic and emotional contact with the patient is essential for successful treatment. Chronic armor impedes this capacity. Therefore, the primary requirement of orgonomic training is suitability and readiness. In other words, because the therapist’s perceptions, sensations and capacity for contact are his most essential tools, restructuring is the cornerstone of the training. The decisions for acceptance as well as advancement in the program are determined by the individual’s structure. For this reason the duration of training is indeterminate.

B. Prerequisites for Admission
1. The recommendations of an approved treating or training therapist.
2. Graduation from an approved medical school with a degree of M.D. or D.O.
3. Participation in or completion of an approved specialty training program.
4. Satisfactory interview and approval of the A.C.O. Training Committee.

C. Specific Requirements for Admission and Ongoing Participation in the A.C.O. Training Program
1. Continuation in or completion of personal therapy with the ongoing approval of the training therapist.
2. Ongoing supervision by an approved supervisor.
3. Attendance of the clinical seminars and presentation of cases as scheduled. Written reports and case presentation will be considered for publication.

Until the Training Committee determines that he is ready to practice independently, the orgonomist-in-training must maintain active status in the program. After this point, he may choose to attend seminars for continuing education.

Note: from time to time, nonmedical professionals are admitted to individual courses offered by the American College of Orgonomy. Acceptance into the training program, however, requires graduation from an approved medical school as well as other requirements described above.

ACO Training Seminar Descriptions
Didactic Seminar in Medical Orgonomy
This is the first seminar in the training program. Its function is to help the trainee develop a clear understanding of the basic theory of all aspects of medical orgonomy. The curriculum of this course includes: the history of medical orgonomy from its origins in psychoanalysis, the orgasm theory, genitality, basic principles and techniques of orgone therapy (respiration, direct work on the musculature, and character-analysis), principles of character diagnosis and the features, genesis, and therapy of each character type, the biophysical exam, the somatic biopathies, examination and treatment of infants and children, as well as other general principles. While it is theoretical and didactic, the seminar approaches theory in practical terms through the use of live patient presentations and videotaped, or verbally reported clinical material. This seminar meets four times a year on Friday 7:00 pm to 10 p.m. and Saturday 10am to 1pm the same weekend as the Sunday seminars. It is led by Peter A. Crist, M.D.

Principles of Character-Analytic Techniques
This is a case presentation seminar that focuses on the character-analytic aspect of medical orgone therapy. Each month, in rotation, a member presents a case having a character-analytic focus with the aid of videotapes or a live patient interview and examination, sometimes in a continuing case format. The emphasis is on character-analytic understanding and treatment including the determination of a biopsychiatric diagnosis. Reference to the relevant orgonomic literature is made. This seminar meets the first Sunday of each month, 10am to 11:15 am. It is led by Peter A. Crist, M.D.

Medical Orgone Therapy
Beginning Phases This is a case presentation seminar that is of particular value for those in the first years of clinical practice. Technical problems related to the beginning phase of orgone therapy, especially diagnosis and the introduction of the modalities of treatment available to the medical orgonomist, are discussed. Each month, in rotation, a member makes a case presentation with the aid of videotapes or a live patient interview and examination. The active participation of those in their first few years of clinical practice is encouraged. This seminar meets on the first Sunday of each month from 11:30am to 12:45pm. It is led by Charles Konia, M.D. with member participants in rotation acting as discussants.

Elsworth F. Baker Technical Seminar
Advanced Aspects of Medical Orgone Therapy This case seminar addresses issues and problems related to the advanced phases of orgone therapy, including the management of deeper layers of emotional structure, advanced biophysical techniques, ongoing character-analytic issues, and the end phase of therapy. Each month, in rotation, a member presents one or more cases or clinical situations with the aid of videotapes or live patient interviews and examinations. This seminar meets on the first Sunday of each month from 1:30pm to 2:45pm. It is led by Charles Konia, M.D. with member participants in rotation acting as discussants.

Orgonometry Seminar
The American College of Orgonomy Seminar in Orgonometry is available to medical and non-medical professionals who have completed the Didactic Course and are enrolled in one of the College’s training programs. Requirements include being recommended by a medical orgonomist affiliated with the College and a personal interview. Orgonometry is the science of functional thinking using a form of mathematics that incorporates qualities as well as quantities. Specialized mathematical training is not required. The seminar meets five times a year, on a Saturday afternoon for about two hours. Students may begin the seminar at any time.

Training Levels
Participants in the program are designated as follows:

Didactic Course Member:
From acceptance into the didactic course until acceptance into the clinical seminars and approval to treat patients in medical orgone therapy under supervision.
Clinical Associate:
This designation covers all non-faculty active members meeting the requirements in Section 3 above regarding therapy and regular attendance in the clinical seminars. Within this designation are several informally recognized levels that range from those still fulfilling training requirements to those attending the program for continuing education.

These include:
1. Medical orgonomist-in-training: from approval to treat patients under supervision until fulfillment of all requirements for Board certification.
2. Board eligible medical orgonomist: from fulfillment of all Board requirements until successful completion of all components of the board examination process.
3. Board certified medical orgonomist: from Board certification on.

Certification of Training
The American Board of Medical Orgonomy is an authoritative and responsible body of physicians whose primary function is to set standards and test the qualifications of physicians for the practice of orgonomic psychiatry and medicine.

Board certification in medical Orgonomy requires that Board-eligible candidates must have graduated from an approved, accredited medical school, completed postgraduate training and passed board examinations in an approved specialty with at least one year of residency training in psychiatry, undergone characterological restructuring by a qualified medical orgonomist, received at least three years of didactic, clinical, and laboratory instruction by qualified instructors in orgonomic medicine, and be in good standing as described in section 3. The candidate must then pass written and oral examinations in orgonomic theory and practice.

Faculty
Peter A. Crist, M.D.
• Medical orgonomist, Stockton, NJ
• Diplomate in Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
• Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
• Diplomate, American Board of Medical Orgonomy
• Fellow, American College of Orgonomy
• Formerly Associate Clinical Professor, Dept. of Psychiatry, UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine
• President, American College of Orgonomy
• Secretary/Treasurer, American Board of Medical Orgonomy
• Assistant Editor, Biological Sciences, Journal of Orgonomy
• Author, clinical and theoretical articles and reviews

Charles Konia, M.D.
• Medical orgonomist, Easton, PA
• Diplomate in Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
• Diplomate, American Board of Medical Orgonomy
• Fellow, American College of Orgonomy
• Vice President, American College of Orgonomy
• Chairman, American Board of Medical Orgonomy
• Chairman, Training and Education Committee, American College of Orgonomy
• Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Orgonomy
• Author, clinical, theoretical and research articles
• Wilhelm Reich Award