The Frida Cinema Santa Ana, CA
Dr. Caroline Paltin
Assistant Professor, Human Services Program at Saddleback College
The Piano— Sensuality, communication, and healing through music
Program Description
Clinical psychologist Dr. Caroline Paltin discusses her research on the use of music in enhancing life experience, communication, contact with self and others, and trauma therapy.
Presented At
The Frida Cinema Santa Ana, CA
Film Synopsis
In the mid-19th century, a mute woman is sent to New Zealand along with her young daughter and prized piano for an arranged marriage to a wealthy landowner, but is soon lusted after by a local worker on the plantation.
After a long voyage from Scotland, pianist Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter) and her young daughter, Flora (Anna Paquin), are left with all their belongings, including a piano, on a New Zealand beach. Ada, who has been mute since childhood, has been sold into marriage to a local man named Alisdair Stewart (Sam Neill). Making little attempt to warm up to Alisdair, Ada soon becomes intrigued by his Maori-friendly acquaintance, George Baines (Harvey Keitel), leading to tense, life-altering conflicts.
Photo credit: Miramax
About the Speaker
Dr. Caroline Paltin is an Assistant Professor and Full Time Faculty member in the Human Services Program at Saddleback College, and a licensed clinical psychologist working with Gestalt and expressive therapies. As a Gestalt Trainer and group therapies Trainer she collaborates with one of the founders of Gestalt Therapy, and enjoys traveling the globe presenting on her research and practice in art infused Life Focus Community Groups, with a specialty in complex trauma, special needs, and expressive therapies. The author of a chapter section on sexual fluidity in the human sexuality anthology titled Locating Critical Sexuality: Forecasting the Trends of ‘Glocal’ Sexual Literacy, Dr. Paltin has been a featured speaker on topics of trauma informed therapies with incarcerated population, Gestalt therapy, and Group therapy at OC Health Care Agency, as well as various national and international conferences, including The Psychotherapy Networker, American Psychological Association Humanistic Division, The Institute on Violence Abuse and Trauma, The International Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy.