Dr. Kenneth Silvestri
Psychotherapist | Certified Homeopath
Publications (2007-2015)
January 2016
During the holiday season when rituals and holidays are plentiful, take the opportunity to look at past hurts with a new perspective.
In the book, Forgive For Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness (New York: Harper Collins 2002), Stanford University Professor Fred Luskin emphasizes a forgiveness methodology . . .
September 2015
The label, "Attention Deficit" is being thrown around way too much. Given the very general process that determines whether a child has it or not, the vast majority of our citizens (young and old) would easily fall within its "official" definition.
June 2015
In homeopathy, as is the case with psychotherapy, we are taught that causation, constitution, and the totality of symptoms are three critical factors. David Little describes how Baron Von Boenninghausen in the early years of homeopathy stressed the importance of understanding the who, what, why, with what and, when modes of a person’s narrative . . .
June 2015
Stress is like the weather. We know it exists but we cannot always figure out how to deal with it. Biologist Bruce Lipton, in his book The Biology of Belief, tells us that “Almost every major illness that people acquire has been linked to chronic stress” . . .
October 2015
Certain cases, if not all, necessitate a stereoscopic perspective. This perspective requires
seeing simultaneous part to whole connections and variations to determining the
desired results, all of which are geared to optimise the immune system. This article
describes a systemic approach to homeopathic case taking that includes the use of the
Genogram and Temperaments to assess the needed remedy through a process of
joining with the subject’s narrative, not as a passive ‘unprejudiced observer’.
October 19, 2015
Dr. Kenneth Silvestri (Ed.D, CCH, RS Hom (NA) is a classical homeopath who studied with Dr. Luc De Schepper, David Little and Jane Cicchetti. He holds doctoral degrees from Columbia Univ. in Anthropology and Psychology. He has published more than seventy professional articles and monographs, several chapters for books on mental health/homeopathy as well as selected poems.
Being Systemic and Mindful: An Integrative Process of Homeopathy and Psychotherapy for Self-Fulfillment
The California Homeopath
May 29, 2014
We are, like every snow flake, unique. With that said, it is difficult to conceive of healing
models fitting all needs in a cookie cutter fashion. However the word “systemic,” which I
feel most comfortable with in describing my approach, brings with it a caveat that “the
word is not the territory.” This means that you cannot assume that all will be very neat
and orderly as proclaimed by advocates of certain healing methods.
July 2013
I recently contributed a chapter to a ground breaking book (*see below for citation), that presents an integrated view of homeopathy and mental health issues.
June 2013
For many years I have been looking at the world in a systemic manner, how we and our environment are interconnected. My study of anthropology and psychology has taught me that the world, as the Greeks saw and called it “Gaia,” is more than the sum of its parts. This recognition is the basis of being mindful; it is such a profound and different way to view and act on our reality. It is a celebration of “context.”
December 09, 2012
Recently Leo, in his mid twenties, presented with extreme migraine head pain. His head pain had been constant over the past three years, ever since he had a very serious stomach virus. He was wrought with anticipation, which caused him to continue to vomit despite not having any other stomach symptoms before or immediately after eating. His narrative was full of instances where he was compulsive, impatient and full of regrets.
March 2010
Forgiveness is a choice one makes in order to move from both the physical and emotional consequences of a painful event, to a more peaceful and healthier life. People have different understandings of the meaning of forgiveness. Some view forgiveness as condoning another's actions; others believe that forgiveness means to forget or to excuse the infraction. . .
January 1st, 2010, Homeopathy and Mental Health Care: Integrative Practice, Principles and Research, Edited by Christopher K. Johannes and Harry van der Zee. Haren, The Netherlands: Homeolinks Publishers
Also published in Yoga Psychology Magazine, September 2010
Abstract: In this chapter a conceptual framework is described that integrates psychotherapy and homeopathy. This includes a discussion of communication skills, supporting theory, the use of the "Genogram,"(a multi generational psychological tree) and the Stanford University Forgiveness Methodology that can help the practitioner determine the core "grievance" in selecting the simillimum and establishing a treatment plan. . .
September 30, 2009
Forgiveness is the word we use when one chooses to let go of a particular grievance or hurt. It is a means to attain peace by not dwelling on the pain which keeps your body in that revved up "fight or flight" mode. Few of us have been taught how to forgive and one of the reasons is a cultural misinterpretation about "conflict." Most of us see conflict as negative or bad which too often creates anger and aggression. . . .
September 15, 2009
Life does say no! Even the Buddha explains that life is filled with suffering; however within our experiences of pain there is the simultaneous beauty of nature. As much as our life can say no, we still have the choice to have our glass half full. This paradox of ”damn if we do and damn if we don’t” actually provides us with grist for happiness, especially if we widen our perspective and recognize the beauty of life’s potential or we can fall prey to the alternative of locking ourselves into a world of ongoing hurt. . . . .
September / October 2009 issue
John Gottman, in his often-cited marital research, found that 70 per cent of the problems that couples complain about are present from the beginning of their relationship. Too often, these problems devolve into years of criticism and contempt-which, Gottman found, destroy marriages in the long run. Fortunately, Gottman and other researchers have discovered that, even when partners can't change each other, they can forgive each other . . .
August 19, 2009
Forgiveness is the word we use when we want to say we have let go of a particular wound or grievance that we were stuck on. When used properly it is the ultimate balm to heal fractured relationships. Unfortunately it is not practiced enough and too often misunderstood to be effectively utilized by suffering couples. In addition therapists who work with wounded clients are mostly untrained in how to help their clients . . .
June 2009
Many of us baby boomers were born into the age of therapy. We learned to be well versed and articulate about our thoughts and feelings. Prior generations might have repressed the disagreeable feelings they had about themselves and their families. The consequence of this repression was a lingering estrangement from our own experience. Part of what we baby boomers learned . . .
February 2009
As a psychotherapist and homeopath, I am honored to assist people who seek wholeness and happiness. I know I can depend on well-chosen homeopathic remedies to increase my client's readiness and ability to make deep and lasting changes in their lives. I always enjoy witnessing the multitude of ways in which homeopathy enhances my clients' inner work.
June 2008
Many of us baby boomers were born into the age of therapy. We learned to be well versed and articulate about our thoughts and feelings. Prior generations might have repressed the disagreeable feelings they had about themselves and their families. The consequence of this repression was a lingering estrangement from our own experience. Part of what we baby boomers learned . . .
April 2007
Abstract: This article is based on the author’s concern for what he perceives as a declining level of systemic practice in family therapy and its consequent connections to wider levels of community. It will review basic key elements in teaching about systemic thinking and provide some applications for reinvigorating and maintaining it. The basis of what is presented is derived from the authors thirty years of involvement with family therapy and his personal memory of Paul Byers, anthropologist, exemplary systemic thinker, educator and researcher. . . .