Who Am I?  How Do I know?  Does It Even Matter?
The Search for Personal Identity

Mental Health Community Conversation
with Philip Kinsler, PhD

CommunityCare of Lyme’s Mental Health Team*, led by Philip J. Kinsler, Ph.D., ABPP, is  hosting opportunities for education and supportive conversation across the community. 

This community conversation explored the search for personal identity. We engaged with questions like:

  • Who are we?
  • When do we feel like we “know” ourselves?
  • Does this sense of self provide any benefits beyond a comfortable feeling?
  • Is there a process that people go through that helps produce a firm sense of self?
  • What are the components of a firm sense of personal identity beyond sexual preference and gender identity?
  • Can we ever really ‘know’ ourselves?
  • Can confusion about personal identity or failure to grapple with the questions involved cause harm?

To review the presentation slides, generously shared by Phil, please CLICK HERE.

Philip J. Kinsler, Ph.D., ABPP
Philip J. Kinsler, Ph.D., ABPPRetired clinical & forensic psychologist
Philip J. Kinsler, Ph.D., ABPP is a retired clinical and forensic psychologist. He provided therapy to numerous people over a 50 year career. He was a specialist in issues of psychological trauma and a Past President of The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, and author of the Routledge book Complex Psychological Trauma: The Centrality of Relationship, and numerous other professional publications. He has lectured and taught locally, nationally, and internationally. He retired as Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.

Every Wednesday, CommunityCare of Lyme lifts up a wellness topic, embracing the widest possible definition of individual and community well-being. We include local and national resources, individual and group programs and practices, and personal stories, videos, or songs that have something to teach us all. We are always seeking guest contributors! 

If you have a wellness-themed topic you would like to share or learn more about, please reach out to shelby@cclyme.org

Shelby Wood
Manager of Volunteer Participation
CommunityCare of Lyme
Shelby@cclyme.org
802-468-7776 (cell)
603-795-0603 (CCL office and help line)