56: Sacred Stress. A conversation with George Faller.

George is an outstanding person to connect with during this virus crisis because while when it comes to whether or not the virus is here, we do not have any choice in the matter. However, we can choose how to respond to the chaos and sense of disconnection that it brings. George’s role with the New York City Fire Department positioned him as a first responder to the Twin Towers on 9/11/2001. In the aftermath of this trauma, through education, training, and personal exploration, he began to understand his mission and purpose to be supporting others through crisis and trauma. Currently, as a marriage and family therapist, speaker, and writer, George works to bring his message to others. The most simplified form of this message is that we usually find the sacred within the stressful. But first, we need to find out which kind of stress we are talking about in the first place. In this conversation, George and I explore the two different kinds of stress - distress and eustress- the value within the function of the various ways in which we approach stress both approach and withdrawal, the hidden costs of our attempts to protect and defend ourselves, misconceptions surrounding our interpretation of stress, the influence between our individual perceptions of stress and the physiological consequences to that stress, the science behind coming together for support even when the larger part of our defenses are oriented to retreat, post-traumatic growth and the meaning that often accompanies the most devastating moments of our lives.

Bio:

Prior to a career in the field of mental health, George spent 20 years as a NYC Firefighter and NYC Police Officer. George received his M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Iona College, where he graduated at the top of his class. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Queens College. His experience as a FDNY Peer Counselor, particularly following the events of 9/11, sparked his passion to help those impacted by trauma.

He is a certified Trainer/Supervisor/Therapist in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and founder of the New York Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy where he serves as President. He is a Supervisor with the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT) and teaches classes at the Ackerman Institute for the Family in Manhattan. He is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist currently practicing in Connecticut and New York. George is the director of training at the Greenwich Center for Hope & Renewal in Connecticut and is on the Board of the Porter Cason Institute at Tulane University in New Orleans.

George brings a unique and varied experience to his practice. Whether he is providing marriage therapy to Wall Street executives, leading a conference for the United States Military or equipping therapists from around the globe, his ability to inspire is far-reaching. George is also committed to bringing EFT to underprivileged populations and pushing the leading edge of effective therapy.

https://www.georgefaller.com

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foreplay-radio-couples-and-sex-therapy/id1083324677

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