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

2. Overview

3. Ascendency: Basic concepts
DESCENDENCY
TRANSCENDENCY
Ascendency: Basic concepts

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

7. CONCEPTUAL
ACTUAL
TRANSACTIONAL
Ascendency Theory

8. The CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDIN G ASCENDENCY AFROCENTRIC VALUES
THE CYCLE OF CREATION

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

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

11. CONCEPTION
CREATION
THE AFTERMATH
Ascendency Theory

12. MENTAL
PHYSICAL
SOCIAL
Ascendency Theory

13. MIND
BODY
SPIRIT
Ascendency Theory

14. INDIVIDUAL
FAMILY
COMMUNITY
Ascendency Theory

15. GOALS
ACTIVITIES
RESULTS
Ascendency Theory

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

17. OUR IDEALS
OUR REALITY
OUR LEGACY
Ascendency Theory

18. ASCENDENCY
DESCENDENCY
TRANSCENDENCY
Ascendency Theory

19. The CYCLE of CREATION

20. SINGULARITY
DUALITY
DIFFERENTIATION
DEVELOPMENT
ONENESS

21. AFROCENTRIC VALUES AFROCENTRIC WORLDVIEW NGUZO SABA NTU PRINCIPLES
CONSUBSTANT IALITY
MAAT

22. 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

23. “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.”

24. 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

25. 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 :55

26. 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.

27. One-ness

28. Human migration out of Africa
Univ of Texas at Austin. Office of Public Affairs
Human migration out of Africa

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. The Ascendency Pyramid

33. 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.

34. 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

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

36. Dr. Harvey’s Star

37. 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 :55

38. MENTAL
PHYSICAL
SOCIAL
Ascendency Theory

39. 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

40. MENTAL
MASLOW’S BASIC NEEDS
PHYSICAL
SOCIAL
Ascendency Theory

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

42. MENTAL
SAFETY
SHELTER
MEANS
PHYSICAL
SOCIAL
Ascendency Theory

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

44. MENTAL
SAFETY
SHELTER
MEANS
PHYSICAL
SOCIAL
Ascendency Theory

45. Mental/Spiritual
Physical
Social

46. 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

47. 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 :55

48. 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 :55

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

50. 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.

51. 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.

52. 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.

53. 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

54. 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

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

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

57. 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

58. 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

59. 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

60. The END