By Harvey D. Linder, Ph. D. , LP Putting Ancient Principles to Practice in Today’s Treatment Environments By Harvey D. Linder, Ph. D. , LP

Overview

Ascendency: Basic concepts DESCENDENCY TRANSCENDENCY Ascendency: Basic concepts

Ascendency: the dimension of reality that represents conception, or beginnings. Ascendency represents not only the realm of conceptual ideas, but in fact, the idea of conception itself, or creation, creativity, and beginning. All of reality begins with conception.

Descendency: the realm of actual physical objects or entities. It could be said that all these entities spring from (ie: are “descended” from) the conceptual notions of the Ascendency realm.

Transcendency: the capacity for objects in physical reality, or ideas in conceptual reality to have an impact beyond their present time and space.

CONCEPTUAL ACTUAL TRANSACTIONAL Ascendency Theory

The CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDIN G ASCENDENCY AFROCENTRIC VALUES THE CYCLE OF CREATION

The ACTUAL The ASCENDENCY Pyramid Dr. Harvey’s Star Making Care Plans Individual Development Planning Program Development

The TRANSACTIONAL A SERVICE EXAMPLE IMPROVED CLIENT ENGAGEMENT BETTER CARE COORDINATION INCREASE REVENUES SIMPLIFY PROGRAM DESIGN IMPROVE OUTCOMES

CONCEPTION CREATION THE AFTERMATH Ascendency Theory

MENTAL PHYSICAL SOCIAL Ascendency Theory

MIND BODY SPIRIT Ascendency Theory

INDIVIDUAL FAMILY COMMUNITY Ascendency Theory

GOALS ACTIVITIES RESULTS Ascendency Theory

WHAT WE THINK WHAT WE DO WHAT BECOMES OF IT Ascendency Theory

OUR IDEALS OUR REALITY OUR LEGACY Ascendency Theory

ASCENDENCY DESCENDENCY TRANSCENDENCY Ascendency Theory

The CYCLE of CREATION

SINGULARITY DUALITY DIFFERENTIATION DEVELOPMENT ONENESS

AFROCENTRIC VALUES AFROCENTRIC WORLDVIEW NGUZO SABA NTU PRINCIPLES CONSUBSTANT IALITY MAAT

WESTERN OR EUROCENTRIC WORLDVIEW EASTERN OR AFROCENTRIC The human endeavor is about Mastery and Doing Being and Becoming Man Makes Himself Man Discovers Himself Your identity is tied to your role (Your are what you do) Your identity is bound in your essence (You do what you are) Success is amassing things, money, power Success is obtaining wisdom, enlightenment Relationships are transactions Relationships are eternal The Other is objectified The “so called” Other is personified as an extension of the self I think therefore I am I am because we are Thinking is linear Thinking is non-linear Truth-seeking is objective, analytical (Affect negates truth) Truth-seeking is affective (Affect affirms truth) Either/Or Both/And

“It is through knowing  our own culture that we come to discover our selves. It is through embracing other cultures that we discover how to complete ourselves.”

Nguzo Saba (the Seven Principles) Umoja - Unity Kujichagulia - Self Determination Ujima - Collective Work & Responsibility Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics Nia - Purpose Kuumba - Creativity Imani - Faith Karenga, M Kwanzaa: A celebration of family, community, and culture. Los Angeles. University of Sankora Press. 1998

Affective Epistemology NTU Principles Harmony Balance Authenticity Awareness of Culture Interconnectedness Affective Epistemology Phillips, F.B. “NTU Psychotherapy, an Afrocentric approach” Journal of Black Psychology 1990 17:55

CONSUBSTANTIALITY Being of the same substance, nature, or essence. I AM because WE ARE; and because we are, therefore I AM. LOVE your neighbor as yourself because your neighbor IS yourself.

One-ness

Human migration out of Africa Univ of Texas at Austin. Office of Public Affairs http://www.utexas.edu/features/2007/ancestry/ Human migration out of Africa

MAAT: the Conceptual Ideal The way of rightness in moral thought and practice. Being in harmony with the natural order of the divine . Karenga, M MAAT: The Moral Ideal in Ancient Egypt. Los Angeles. University of Sankora Press. 2006

MAAT: the Conceptual Ideal MAAT is rightness in the spiritual and moral sense in three realms: the Divine, the natural, and the social. In its expansive sense, MAAT is an interrelated order of rightness which requires and is the result of right relations with and right behavior towards the Divine, nature, and other humans. Karenga, M MAAT: The Moral Ideal in Ancient Egypt. Los Angeles. University of Sankora Press. 2006

MAAT: the Conceptual Ideal The practice of the Seven Cardinal Virtues of truth, justice, propriety, harmony, balance, reciprocity and order. Karenga, M MAAT: The Moral Ideal in Ancient Egypt. Los Angeles. University of Sankora Press. 2006

The Ascendency Pyramid

The African American Ascendency Matrix IMANI (FAITH) IMANI (FAITH) INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY Dimension of BEING Dimension of BEING Dimension of BEING Dimension of BEING Dimension of BEING Dimension of Being Dimension of DOING Dimension of DOING Dimension of DOING Dimension of DOING UJAMAA (COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS) UJAMAA (COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS) UMOJA (UNITY) UMOJA (UNITY) Dimension of BECOMING Dimension of BECOMING Dimension of BECOMING KUJICHAGULIA (SELF DETERMINATION) KUJICHAGULIA (SELF DETERMINATION) FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY NIA (PURPOSE) NIA (PURPOSE) UJIMA (COLLECTIVE WORK & RESPONSIBILITY) UJIMA (COLLECTIVE WORK & RESPONSIBILITY) KUUMBA (CREATIVITY) KUUMBA (CREATIVITY) Nguzo Saba adapted from: Karenga, M Kwanzaa: A celebration of family, community, and culture. Los Angeles. University of Sankora Press. 1998 Nguzo Saba adapted from: Karenga, M Kwanzaa: A celebration of family, community, and culture. Los Angeles. University of Sankora Press. 1998 The African American Ascendency Matrix Copyright 2013, Harvey D. Linder, Ph.D.

SELF DETERMINATION BELIEF INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY IMANI (FAITH) INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY Dimension of BEING Dimension of BEING Dimension of BEING Dimension of BEING Dimension of BEING Dimension of Being Dimension of DOING Dimension of DOING Dimension of DOING Dimension of DOING Dimension of DOING Dimension of DOING Dimension of DOING Dimension of DOING UJAMAA (COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS) ECONOMIC COOPERATION UMOJA (UNITY) UNITY Dimension of BECOMING Dimension of BECOMING Dimension of BECOMING Dimension of BECOMING Dimension of BECOMING Dimension of BECOMING KUJICHAGULIA (SELF DETERMINATION) SELF DETERMINATION FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY NIA (PURPOSE) PURPOSE COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY UJIMA (COLLECTIVE WORK & RESPONSIBILITY) KUUMBA (CREATIVITY) CREATIVITY Nguzo Saba adapted from: Karenga, M Kwanzaa: A celebration of family, community, and culture. Los Angeles. University of Sankora Press. 1998 Figure 1 The African American Ascendency Matrix Copyright 2013, Harvey D. Linder, Ph.D. Adapted from: Karenga, M Kwanzaa: A celebration of family, community, and culture. Los Angeles. University of Sankora Press. 1998

THE ORGANIZING PRINCIPLE CONCEPTUAL MISSION THE ORGANIZING PRINCIPLE TRANSACTIONAL ACTUAL GOALS RESULTS STRUCTURE ACTIVITIES VISION OUTPUTS

Dr. Harvey’s Star

AFFECTIVE EPISTEMOLOGY Mental/Spiritual AUTHENTICITY Law enforcement Child Protection Adult Protection Family Violence Shelter Domestic Abuse Vocational Rehabilitation Economic Assistance Work Readiness Veterans Affairs Social Security Job Training A Way to make a Way Safety from Harm Shelter from the Storm HARMONY BALANCE Emergency Assistance Homeless Shelters Transitional Housing Housing Services Section 8 INTERCONNECTEDNESS Medical Mental Health Chemical Health Disability Services Personal Wellness Family Friends School Church Employer Community Physical Social AFFECTIVE EPISTEMOLOGY AWARENESS of CULTURE Dr. Harvey’s Star NTU Principles adapted from: Phillips, F.B. “NTU Psychotherapy, an Afrocentric approach” Journal of Black Psychology 1990 17:55

MENTAL PHYSICAL SOCIAL Ascendency Theory

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Spiritual Self Actualization Self Esteem Social Needs Safety and Security Basic Physical Needs: Food, water, warmth, etc Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

MENTAL MASLOW’S BASIC NEEDS PHYSICAL SOCIAL Ascendency Theory

SAFETY, SECURITY, FOOD, SHELTER, ETC MENTAL SAFETY, SECURITY, FOOD, SHELTER, ETC PHYSICAL SOCIAL Ascendency Theory

MENTAL SAFETY SHELTER MEANS PHYSICAL SOCIAL Ascendency Theory

Ascendency Theory SAFETY FROM HARM MENTAL SAFETY FROM HARM SHELTER FROM THE STORM A WAY TO MAKE A WAY PHYSICAL SOCIAL Ascendency Theory

MENTAL SAFETY SHELTER MEANS PHYSICAL SOCIAL Ascendency Theory

Mental/Spiritual Physical Social

Mental/Spiritual Physical Social Law enforcement Child Protection Adult Protection Family Violence Shelter Domestic Abuse Vocational Rehabilitation Economic Assistance Work Readiness Veterans Affairs Social Security Job Training A Way to make a Way Safety from Harm Shelter from the Storm Emergency Assistance Homeless Shelters Transitional Housing Housing Services Section 8 Medical Mental Health Chemical Health Disability Services Personal Wellness Family Friends School Church Employer Community Physical Social

AFFECTIVE EPISTEMOLOGY Mental/Spiritual AUTHENTICITY BALANCE HARMONY INTERCONNECTEDNESS AFFECTIVE EPISTEMOLOGY AWARENESS of CULTURE Physical Social NTU Principles adapted from: Phillips, F.B. “NTU Psychotherapy, an Afrocentric approach” Journal of Black Psychology 1990 17:55

AFFECTIVE EPISTEMOLOGY Mental/Spiritual AUTHENTICITY Law enforcement Child Protection Adult Protection Family Violence Shelter Domestic Abuse Vocational Rehabilitation Economic Assistance Work Readiness Veterans Affairs Social Security Job Training A Way to make a Way Safety from Harm Shelter from the Storm HARMONY BALANCE Emergency Assistance Homeless Shelters Transitional Housing Housing Services Section 8 INTERCONNECTEDNESS Medical Mental Health Chemical Health Disability Services Personal Wellness Family Friends School Church Employer Community Physical Social AFFECTIVE EPISTEMOLOGY AWARENESS of CULTURE Dr. Harvey’s Star NTU Principles adapted from: Phillips, F.B. “NTU Psychotherapy, an Afrocentric approach” Journal of Black Psychology 1990 17:55

Working with clients Motivational Interviewing Goal Setting Cognitive BehaviorTherapy Self Assessment Mapping the Journey Giving back to the community of self

Keys for Therapists/Counselors Therapy is about BECOMING who you are through a process of self discovery. The “Healer” acts as a guide, not a fixer. The Counselors job is not just to give advice, but to facilitate movement along the path. Dis-Ease and Dys-function are the result of being out of balance with the natural order of thing. The Healing Process is about restoring order, balance, and harmony.

Keys for Case Managers The STAR model is easy for clients to understand and follow. Reminds Case Managers and Providers of the Essential Importance of meeting Basic Needs. Can help clients see the “Big Picture” of how services may need to be put together from different providers to reach clients goals. Can help clients understand why they need to put effort into different areas. Reinforces the connection between the Emotional Wellness, Physical Health, and Social Adjustment.

Keys for Program Directors Ascendency Theory can help programs incorporate new initiatives w/o having to reverse course. Helps Staff morale. Can increase revenue through diversifying business model. Can help staff and clients make sense of evaluation. Can help managers see the value of non-traditional roles within the organization. Can help program developers plan for holistic models while avoiding mission creep.

Program Example African American Family Services adopts philosophy that its programs will be Culturally Mindful, Trauma Informed, and Evidence Based CULTURALLY MINDFUL TRAUMA INFORMED EVIDENCE BASED

Cultural Mindfulness UMOJA is the term AAFS will used to denote its holistic approach to healing the Body, Mind, and Spirit. CULTURALLY MINDFUL TRAUMA INFORMED EVIDENCE BASED

Cultural Mindfulness AAFS will use the Nguzo Saba and NTU principles as values to guide its work CULTURALLY MINDFUL TRAUMA INFORMED EVIDENCE BASED

Cultural Mindfulness AAFS will use Ascendency Theory as an organizing framework. CULTURALLY MINDFUL TRAUMA INFORMED EVIDENCE BASED

Trauma Informed AAFS utilizes Mindfullness training, Affect Regulation skills training, yoga, medidation, dance, exercise & nutrition, psychopharmacology and EMDR as ways of helping clients overcome the physiological impacts of trauma. CULTURALLY MINDFUL TRAUMA INFORMED EVIDENCE BASED

Evidence Based AAFS is training all of its MH Clinicians in Evidence Based Practice. AAFS is beginning to collect its own data on the effectiveness of its interventions. CULTURALLY MINDFUL TRAUMA INFORMED EVIDENCE BASED

UMOJA: Unity AAFS is breaking down the silos that hold Chemical Health, Mental Health, and Family Services as separate departments. All MH Clinicians do Chemical Health groups. All staff attend joint treatment consultations CULTURALLY MINDFUL TRAUMA INFORMED EVIDENCE BASED

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