Expressive Arts and Dance Movement Therapy Approaches to Working with Trauma

This is a two-day training on Friday, May 17, from 8:30 am - 4 pm and Saturday, May 18, from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.

Those of us who steward the restorative process for survivors of trauma are exposed to stories, histories, and emotions that impact our own well-being and worldview. In tending to others, our own hearts encounter suffering and fear. Current neuropsychiatric research suggests that human beings are soft-wired for empathy, which connects us, and increases our risk for vicarious trauma. Research supports contemplative practices and physical activity as fundamental to well-being. The body, and movement provide the most direct access to change that promotes well-being. This 13-hour course provides theoretical, scientific, and contemplative rationale for the use of somatic psychotherapy (body, dance and movement-based practices) with traumatized clients, and as a measure of protection, self care, and increased compassion. This playshop provides participants with a practical introduction and overview to using body, dance and movement-based therapy in work with survivors of trauma, as well as for our own resilience and well-being.

This course is suitable for mental health professionals, somatic or movement practitioners, or any helping professional interested in using expressive arts methods for working with trauma. No experience in Dance Movement Therapy or Somatic Psychotherapy is required.

This course has been approved for 2 credits of Alternate Route DMT and 15 CEs (with an additional 2 hours of Skype with Amber), and 13 Mental Health CEs across the US.

Amber Gray is a pioneer in the use of Dance Movement Therapy and Somatic Psychology with survivors of trauma, particularly torture, war and human rights abuses. She is an ADTA Outstanding Achievement Award recipient; a recent nominee for The Barbara Chester Human Rights award, and featured expert on torture treatment through Tulane University’s Institute of Traumatology. Amber’s expertise is represented in many published articles, chapters, keynote addresses, professional collaborations and presentations around the world. Amber has provided clinical training on the integration of refugee mental health and torture treatment with creative arts, mindfulness, and body-based therapies to more than 30 programs worldwide, since the 1990’s. She originated a resiliency-based framework and clinical approach (Restorative Movement Psychotherapy) for somatic, mindfulness, movement and arts-based therapies with survivors of trauma in cross cultural, low resource contexts. Her two most recent publications, one co-authored with Dr. Stephen Porges, are based on their co-collaborated Polyvagal informed dance movement therapy.

FAQs

What should I wear or bring?

The course is experiential and movement-based so please wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you can move in. Dress in layers and bring a water bottle. We will provide water, coffee and tea, as well as light snacks for the morning and breaks. Lunch is on your own - we have a fridge onsite if you bring your own food. Alternatively, there are several good restaurants and cafes within walking distance. We will take two 15-minute breaks and an hour for lunch.

Amber will also be inviting you to bring the following if you have them available:

1. Toys, play therapy supplies, plush toys etc
2. Musical instruments—drums, small instruments etc
3. Scarves, wigs, dress up clothes
4. Physio props like physio balls, stretch bands, etc.
5. Favorite arts and craft supplies—tools for drawing, clay, felt, sequins, glue, anything at all that is arty and crafty

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

The Ballard Homestead is located on a mostly-residential street, so on-street parking is available within a block or two. It is also easily accessible by public transport.

What else do I need to know about the training days?

Participants are required to sign in and out at the beginning and end of each day. The venue will open at 8am. We will start promptly at 8.30am on each day so please allot time for traffic, finding parking, and getting settled in to support a timely start. We will take two 15-minute breaks and an hour for lunch. Please note that the end times differ on both days.

CEs are made available through RCassidy. Participants must have paid tuition fee, signed in, attended the entire seminar, completed an evaluation, and signed out in order to receive a certificate. Failure to sign in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates available after satisfactory course completion at www.ceuregistration.com

AR DMT candidates will be required to participate in an additional 2 hours of a Skype session with Amber to receive 2 AR credits and 15 CEs.

How can I get more information on Amber, First Aid Arts or the NWCEAI?

We are excited to be hosting Amber Elizabeth Gray for her inaugural course in Seattle! We will have tables set up with more information on First Aid Arts and NWCEAI at the venue. You are also welcome to visit our websites:

Amber Elizabeth Gray http://restorativeresources.net/

First Aid Arts http://www.firstaidarts.org/

NWCEAI https://seattlearttherapy.org/

Additional questions?

Please email us at info@firstaidarts.org