Workshops & Professional Development
Group workshops I provide are divided into long term therapy workshops, retreats, and short one day, half-day, 3 or two-hour workshops for healthcare professionals or specific issues. I also present workshops at professional conferences and events as continuing education for Art Therapists or health care professionals.
Each workshop consists of a theoretical presentation combined with hand on creative approaches in a variety of materials according to the nature of the subject. Training can be designed for clinical and non-clinical staff that can be offered at your agency, symposium, or conference in person or online through Zoom. Since my specialty is in the field of trauma, bereavement, and depression, the workshops are specifically tailored to your theme/topic of interest and population which fits into my specialty. I will create an engaging and informative presentation specific to your audience. I have given workshops all over the world and am open to incorporate cultural differences and discuss your budget.
Currently available Workshops for Art Therapists and health care professionals
Illuminating internal hollow cavities
A 6-hour workshop for mental health professionals
This workshop is suitable for therapists working with loss, trauma, and bereavement as a debriefing for self, and as a method to work with groups as young as adolescents, and up to physically and mentally alert seniors.
As we experience losses, in ourselves and our clients, we often express the experience of feeling empty, hollow spaces opening within.
Using water, sand, and molten wax both literally and metaphorically, participants will recreate their inner hollow spaces and see them metamorphose into objects of beauty and light.
This workshop is suitable for therapists working with loss, trauma and bereavement as debriefing for self, and as a method to work with groups as young as adolescents, and up to physically and mentally alert seniors.
Though this is not a therapy group, participants should be prepared for some personal exposure.
Cost: $80:00 includes refreshments, light lunch and all materials. Maximum participants: 16. (Organizations can hire the workshop for their staff)
Creating a self-creating community
A 6-hour workshop for therapists, social workers, and community workers
This six-hour workshop will be divided into two segments. In the first, we will work with clay. The second part will be based on individual work which will then be joined into a group creation symbolizing the creation of a community.
Communities are created from individuals. We need to discover our strength and our needs in order to be able to create a healthy functioning community.
This six hour workshop will be divided into two segments. In the first we will work with clay. The second part will be based on individual work which will then be joined into a group creation symbolizing a creation of a community.
The connection with the earth, the material which we are supposed to come from and we will go back to, allows us to get in touch with our self. Becoming self aware and connecting with another through our creations Forming pieces of softened clay, enjoying and allowing intuitive creation, contemplating the shape and communicating its meaning to self and others bypasses language barriers, and promotes wellness By using mindfulness practices, guided imagery and body work the clay becomes a means of reaching deeper into our consciousness and the process is becoming the essence rather than the product.
Participants will be encouraged to write for themselves about the experience. They will be able to communicate to others, if they wish, about their own process, and share experiences with others in the group.
As an Art Therapist and a potter I have used this technique to help people integrate traumatic experiences and recognize their powers of helping themselves and others. Participants will leave the workshop having learned a resiliency technique which can be translated to their own well being, for coping with personal issues, or to practice with groups of clients.
The second part will be based on individual work which will then be joined into a group creation symbolizing a creation of a community. It will utilize the understanding of how we cater to community needs and how individuals fit together to give from their strength and receive from others, understanding the power of the collective. The materials used are simple and familiar- paper and coloring pastels and markers. The results are exhilarating and empowering. The group will recognize their powers to help themselves and others. Participants will leave the workshop having learned a resiliency technique which can be translated to their own well being, for coping with personal issues, or to practice with groups of youth or adults in community settings and teaching facilities.
As a result I hope you will be able to:
- Feel less anxiety, and add positive feelings.
- Get more enjoyment at work
- Increase sense of competence and energy about your work.
- Reignite passion for what gives our lives meaning.
- Identify and develop the strengths that engage and energize you.
- Shift perceptions in order to broaden options.
This workshop is NOT a therapy session, so if you have any concerns, please contact me ahead of time. The workshop is limited to maximum 24 people.
Cost: $80:00/person includes refreshments, light lunch and all materials. (Organizations can hire the workshop for their staff)
An experiential workshop, employing Art Therapy to deal with Trauma, Vicarious Trauma, resilience, and creative supervision.
A full day (8 hours) workshop aimed at therapists, and supervisors.
I this creative workshop, participants will be exposed to the latest theories about trauma and resilience. Using art materials and techniques developed or adjusted by the presenter, participants will experience techniques and materials which can aid them in dealing with traumatized clients. The methods are equally suited to cases of sudden trauma, abuse, and sexual abuse, as well as bereavement and disenfranchised bereavement.
In this creative workshop, participants will be exposed to the latest theories about trauma and resilience. Using art materials and techniques developed or adjusted by the presenter, participants will experience techniques and materials which can aid them in dealing with traumatized clients. The methods are equally suited to cases of sudden trauma, abuse and sexual abuse, as well as bereavement and disenfranchised bereavement.
Care will be taken to learn compassion and cultural aspects of clients. Vicarious trauma is especially important to therapists and front line workers who are confronted with trauma on a regular basis or who are called to deal with populations in disaster areas.
Creative supervision employs many of the techniques used to deal with Trauma. Supervisors face unique challenges when supervising trauma cases, including the need to help supervisees identify and address vicarious Trauma (VT). VT is the negative transformation of a therapist’s sense of safety and hope due to exposure to clients’ traumatic life stories. VT can harm client care by causing the therapist to lose hope, to engage in negative reenactments or to become indifferent.
Our cultural environment creates a paradigm that isolates a worker who may be suffering VT. The caregiver becomes fearful of appearing ‘too emotional’, ‘less-than-perfect,’ or ‘not up to the job.’ As supervisors and helping professionals we strive for personal wellness, therefore we must look for concrete solutions both on the personal and the institutional level.
We will employ mindfulness practices, Goldstein & Kornfield (1987) describe it as “a quality of attention which notices without choosing, without preference”. Daniel Siegel in his book Mindsight (2010), takes the practice of mindfulness, and combines it with neuroscience to create “a kind of focused attention that allows us to see the internal workings of our own mind”. This practice helps us recognize and tame the emotions we experience rather than being overwhelmed by them.
Transformation begins when we allow ourselves to look at our mind with curiosity and respect rather than fear and avoidance. There is more evidence from brain research today that supports the notion of neuro plasticity. This is the term used to describe the brain’s capacity to create new neuronal connections and grow new neurons in response to experience.
* The workshop will start with a 20 minute group activity which aims at group building.
* A short 20 minute presentation will follow on mindfulness and brain plasticity, followed by a 20 minute exercise
* Short break of 15 minutes to set up “Stomping Clay workshop”.
* “Stomping Clay workshop” – 3 hours. As an Art Therapist and a potter I have developed this technique to help people integrate traumatic experiences
* Lunch break – 1 hour
* Vicarious Trauma – A 90 minute workshop with power point presentation and Learn the BASICPh system of resilience developed by Prof. Muli Lahad and adjusted by me, using the COPE cards to understand and practice the system
* Inner works to health – The Puzzle a 2 hour workshop
Building self care and group cohesion by creative paradigm developed by myself to work on our own resilience and our clients and supervisees.
Looking at our strengths and our individual coping skills and visually connecting them to become a representation of our unique individual being, then connecting with others to complete a puzzle and form a whole can be a reminder of the power and comfort of connecting to others, yet celebrating our individuality and uniqueness.
30 minutes to wind up and comments.
REFERENCES:
Ayalon, O. COPE CARDS for trauma and healing. COMMUNITY STRESS PREVENTION 5 2003
De Bono, E. Po: Beyond Yes and No (1973) Revised Edition, Pelican books ltd.
Goldstein & Kornfield (1987), Seeking the Heart of Wisdom : The Path of Insight Meditation (P. 19) , Shambhala Classics
Hass-Cohen, N. (2008) CREATE: Art Therapy Relational Principles (ATR-N); Sensory processes & Responses in N. Hass-Cohen & R. Carr (Eds). Art Therapy and Clinical Neuroscience (pp.293-305). London, Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kinsley Publishers.
Lahad, M. (1993) Tracing Coping Resources through a Story in Six Parts – The ‘BASIC-Ph’ model. In: Psychology at School and the Community during Peaceful and Emergency Times. Tel-Aviv, Levinson-Hadar, 55 – 70. (In Hebrew)
Piepenburg, R. “The spirit of Ceramic Design”. (2009). Pebble Press, Ann Arbour, Michigan
Siegel, Daniel. (2010). Mindsight, Random House Inc.
Cost: $ 120.00 /person including materials, refreshments and lunch. Limited to 20 people.
(Organizations can hire the workshop for their staff)
What is your coping style?
A 3 hour workshop for disaster workers and therapists
- In cases of collective trauma and disaster, it is useful to be able to identify the people who will benefit from the therapeutic intervention in order to prevent post traumatic stress disorder. In this workshop, we will learn to identify and utilize individual coping styles, based on the basic multi-modal approach developed by Dr. Ayalon and Dr. Muli Lahad.
In cases of collective trauma and disaster it is useful to be able to identify the people who will benefit from therapeutic intervention in order to prevent post traumatic stress disorder. In this workshop we will learn to identify and utilize individual coping styles, based on the BASICPh multi modal approach developed by Dr. Ayalon and Dr. Muli Lahad. BASICPh is an acronym for 6 coping styles which where identified as generally used by individuals. Belief and values, Affect (emotional), Social, Imaginative, Cognitive, and Physiological. A combination of these elements forms the unique coping style of each person.
After a power point presentation and discussion, participants will learn to recognize these elements using imagination, story creation and art materials. Participants will work in small groups to practice and share, and then join the larger group to learn how to apply the method to groups and communities recovering from natural or other disaster situations.
This workshop can be expanded in time and scope/
Participants will gain:
- Understanding of their own coping style.
- Competency in dealing with traumatized people.
- Increasing their ability to identify coping skills and affecting resilience.
Note: This workshop is NOT a therapy session, so if you have any concerns, please contact me ahead of time. The workshop is limited to maximum 16 people.
Cost: $ 50.00 / person. Includes light refreshments.
(Organizations can hire the workshop for their staff)
Dream Roads
Art Therapy and Gestalt techniques aimed at working with dreams
A 3 hour workshop for art Therapists and creative therapists
(The same workshop can be adapted to a 6 session 2 hour group therapy experience for clients)
Working with Art Therapy and Drama therapy techniques, participants will learn ways in which may enhance their ability to use dreams as a tool for growth and for helping their clients. It is advisable to bring a recent dream.
Fritz Pearls, the creator of Gestalt Therapy claims that the only person who can interpret a dream is the dreamer. The dream is like a movie. It has a script, a director, an editor, a censor, actors and sets which are all created by the dreamer. Therefore, everything that appears in the dream represents the dreamer. Parts of the dream are parts which the dreamer identifies with, while others represent parts which he denies or represses. Therefore the dream may serve as a therapeutic tool and as a tool for self recognition and growth.
Working with Art Therapy and Drama therapy techniques, participants will learn techniques which may enhance their ability to use dreams as a tool for growth and for helping their clients. It is advisable to bring a recent dream.
This workshop is NOT a therapy session, so if you have any concerns, please contact me ahead of time.
The workshop is limited to maximum 16 participants.
Cost: $ 50.00 / person. Includes light refreshments.
(For 6 weekly group Therapy sessions of 2 hours each – limited to 12 participants, at a cost of $120.00 / person.)
The Rope Choice Paradigm
Creative Interpersonal Conflict Resolution
A 90 minute or 3-hour course for individual clients, couples, and groups.
Using Art Therapy techniques of Guided imagery, imagination, drawing, and logical reality check of possible outcomes, the participant will learn to use a simple tool I developed
This tool uses drawings and has been featured in the course which is available on YouTube
Using Art Therapy techniques of Guided imagery, imagination, drawing and logical reality check of possible outcomes, participant will learn to use a simple tool I developed
This tool uses drawings and has been featured in the course which is available on You Tube.
It was in the 1960’s that Edward De Bono introduced the concept of Lateral Thinking and the notion that the either or situation which exists in conflicts is not conducive to solving problems. When we look at possible actions we can take toward conflict resolution in either / or ways, we engage in dichotomous thinking which does not leave us choices. De Bono calls this the yes / no system in which it is very difficult to accept two different ideas as being right. This polarizes judgments to extremes. Here is where De Bono introduced the concept of PO, a word without fixed meaning, which only means introducing other possibilities, or flexibility.
I believe that we are able to make real choices only when we can see at least 3 possibilities. This way we adopt the use of lateral thinking rather then dichotomous thinking. We can also move from rigidity to flexibility in our outlook and interpersonal relationships.
The materials used are 4 pieces of paper 11X14 and pencils, crayons or markers. It is suitable for individual or couple therapy and can be taught to groups.
Participants will be challenged to look at a conflict and then come up with at least 3 ways of resolving it. Discussing pro’s and con’s of each possibility, using logic and personal values will eventually bring to choosing a way of action for a given situation at a particular point in time.
Participant will need to bring a conflict, their creativity and their curiosity.
Can be ordered as an individual or couple therapy –2 hour session, $60.00
As a teaching workshop for therapists – 3 hours, maximum 16 participants, $50/participant.
Reference:
De Bono, E. Po: Beyond Yes and No (1973) Revised Edition,
Pelican books ltd.
Vicarious Trauma
A 3-hour workshop for front line workers, therapists, and supervisors
Front line workers and supervisors of front line workers face unique challenges when they are constantly dealing with people suffering from trauma. Supervisors also need to help supervisees identify and address Vicarious Trauma (VT).
*Participants will learn to recognize the difference between VT and Burnout
*Learn to recognize signs of VT in self and supervisees
*Develop personal and agency strategies to combat VT and Burnout.
Front line workers and supervisors of front line workers face unique challenges when they are constantly dealing with people suffering trauma. Supervisors also need to help supervisees identify and address vicarious Trauma (VT).
VT is the negative transformation of a therapist’s or a front line worker’s sense of safety and hope due to exposure to clients’ traumatic events and life stories. VT can harm client care by causing the therapist or worker to lose hope, to engage in negative reenactments or to become indifferent.
Our cultural environment creates a paradigm that isolates a worker who may be suffering VT. The caregiver becomes fearful of appearing ‘too emotional’, ‘less-than-perfect,’ or ‘not up to the job.’ As supervisors and helping professionals we strive for personal wellness, therefore we must look for concrete solutions both on the personal and the institutional level.
The workshop will commence with a 20 minute power point presentation, followed by an experiential individual and group project using simple art materials which will be provided. It is a technique developed by me to enhance resilience and individual coping mechanisms.
*Participants will learn to recognize the difference between VT and Burnout
*Learn to recognize signs of VT in self and supervisees
*Develop personal and agency strategies to combat VT and Burnout.
No art experience necessary. This workshop is open to front line workers, therapists, supervisors, as well as administrators interested in gaining new tools for dealing with prevention of VT.
Cost: $50 / person, maximum 16 people. (Organizations can hire the workshop for their staff)
Shame Trap in Supervision
A 2-hour workshop for supervisors and therapists
(Suitable for online course)
Introducing the concept of shame as a phenomenon in supervision, both for supervisors and supervisees. An experiential interactive group experience using art materials and discussion.
We can not be in a relationship without the possibility of experiencing shame. When you have an adult relationship in a learning situation consisting of being observed, there always is a potential for shame and embarrassment.
Introducing the concept of shame as a phenomenon in supervision, both for supervisors and supervisees. An experiential interactive group experience using art materials and discussion.
We can not be in a relationship without the possibility of experiencing shame. When you have an adult relationship in a learning situation consisting of being observed, there always is a potential for shame and embarrassment.
Discussing the sociological and cultural aspects of shame and toxic shame, as well as existential shame in our supervisory relationships. Discussing the connection between transference, counter transference and shame, in order to understand better its role in treatment versus supervision. The theoretical base of this workshop is a Humanistic Therapy model.
Participants will gain understanding and experience in:
* Understanding shame triggers in self and capacity to shame others.
*Avoiding the shame Trap, becoming an empathic supervisor.
Creating a healthy and open supervision relationship.
Materials: Pleistocene of various colures, crayons, scissors, colored paper, magazines, transparent CD container, odds and ends.
Cost: $40:00 / person. Materials will be provided by participants. Suitable for an online course as well. (Organizations can hire the workshop for their staff).
Compassion in Supervision
A 2-hour workshop for therapists and supervisors.
(Suitable for an online course)
As supervisors, we need to clarify to ourselves what compassion means for us and for the people we supervise. The current research speaks about compassion as an essential component of therapy. Tara Brach, author of the book “Radical Compassion” claims that there is no healing without self-compassion.
As supervisors we need to clarify to ourselves what compassion means for us and for the people we supervise. The current research speaks about compassion as an essential component of therapy. Tara Brach, author of the book “Radical Compassion” claims that there is no healing without self compassion.
In this 2 hour session I will employ the model of RAIN – Recognize, Allow, Investigate and Nurture, in order to investigate dilemmas of becoming stuck in treating our clients and our supervisees.
Tara Brach claims that the model of RAIN awakens mindfulness and compassion, applies them to places where we are stuck, and untangles emotional suffering.
RAIN is a tool to deepen self understanding and self compassion.
Participants will practice the RAIN model, and try to approach dilemmas in their supervision practice through self compassion
Participants are encouraged to bring a dilemma they are struggling with in order to practice the RAIN model.
Participants are encouraged to bring an open mind and curiosity to experience mindfulness practices, even if they are not familiar with meditation. This is not a traditional meditation session, and we will be using art materials as well.
Both in live session as well as in a Zoom workshop session each participant is asked to prepare his/her own art materials. Please have on hand a pair of surgical gloves and indelible markers as well as glue, bits of material, odds and ends like Google eyes, etc. for creating a character of your choice. After a 20 minute introduction and questions the participants will work in pairs for 45 minutes, and come back to the large group for sharing, discussion and closure.
Cost: $40:00 / person. Registration is limited to 16 participants.
(Organizations can hire the workshop for their staff).
Workshops for general interest and therapy
Stomped Clay
A 3 hours Hands and Feet-on group work experience.
For general interest and as a therapy tool.
The aim of this workshop is to make participants aware of the use of clay in a different framework then the one used normally with clay. The workshop is suitable for anyone wanting to develop self awareness, explore and enhance well being and creativity.
The aim of this workshop is to make participants aware of the use of clay in a different framework then the one used normally with clay. The workshop is suitable for anyone wanting to develop self awareness, explore and enhance well being and creativity
Potters who throw on the wheel or create by hand building, follow logical steps in order to arrive at their product of choice. By using mindfulness practices, guided imagery and body work the clay becomes a means of reaching deeper into our consciousness and the process is becoming the essence rather than the product.
Forming pieces of softened clay, enjoying and allowing intuitive creation, contemplating the shape and communicating its meaning to self and others bypasses language barriers, and promotes wellness. Clay has a universal language and has been used for millennia all over the world. John Chalk, a wise potter equates the process of creating from clay to being alive, “relying on footprints of yesterday”. Archeologists look at shards of clay and are able to reconstruct history of past civilizations. Fragments speak from the past saying “I was here. I was human and alive as a creative being” As Robert Piepenburg states “Being creative is knowing who you are…it is not avoiding truth but rather inhabiting truthfulness” By reconnecting with our creativity we are able to release negative feelings and fears and “we have less need to direct precious energies toward defensive maneuvers” (p68-69). Through active engagement with the clay, participants discover their resilience.
Once the clay is stomped into shape participants will have the opportunity to channel creative positive energy into the clay. By forming pieces of softened clay, enjoying and allowing intuitive creation, contemplating the shape the participants will be encouraged to write for themselves about the experience. They will be able to communicate to others, if they wish, about their own process, and share experiences with others in the group. At the closing of the session participants will form an installation art piece from their individual creations.
As an Art Therapist and a potter I have used this technique to help people integrate traumatic experiences and recognize their powers of helping themselves and others.
Participants will leave the workshop having learned a resiliency technique which can be translated to their own well being, for coping with personal issues, or to practice with groups of youth or adults in community settings and teaching facilities.
This workshop is NOT a therapy session, so if you have any concerns, please contact me ahead of time.
Cost: $50.00 / person, maximum 16 people. (Organizations can hire the workshop for their staff).
Bereaved mothers or adult siblings Retreat
A 2-day retreat with a team of therapists
(Possible for up to 24 people)
The retreat format is a way of giving respite for participants to be able to take care of themselves, and have time to concentrate on the grieving process without the need to take care of others. The team is comprised of a psychologist or clinical social worker, an art therapist, a movement therapist and a massage therapist.
The retreat format is a way of giving respite for participants to be able to take care of themselves, and have time to concentrate on the grieving process without the need to take care of others. The team is comprised of a psychologist or clinical social worker, an art therapist, a movement therapist and a massage therapist.
The participants are housed 2 to a room in a hotel with adequate facilities, and there is a set daily schedule consisting of group therapy sessions, individual massage time, relaxation time and social activity besides meals.
The retreat may be offered by agencies for their clients, or organized for bereavement associations, or by charitable organizations. Previous experience with similar retreats was very positive, and costs will depend on the location and the needs of the group. I can provide examples from retreats I was a part of.
Long term Art Therapy Support Group
(For bereaved parents. – Available only in Israel)
(Aimed at couples-maximum 6 couples)
Weekly sessions of 3 hours each.
It is important for couples to come together to experience and work through their loss. Each person has a different way of experiencing and expressing grief. In many cases couples will feel alienated from each other because their partner grieves differently and they feel misunderstood. An atmosphere of empathy develops as the group creates artwork on the same theme and shares their way of coping.
It is important for couples to come together to experience and work through their loss. Each person has a different way of experiencing and expressing grief. In many cases couples will feel alienated from each other because their partner grieves differently and they feel misunderstood. An atmosphere of empathy develops as the group creates artwork on the same theme and shares their way of coping.
Each week the group becomes more cohesive and becomes a support group for each other. The therapist guides the group through a variety of projects which are chosen specifically for the stage the group is in. The sessions combine individual and group work aimed at allowing both self expression and group sharing and cohesion.
The work requires a long term commitment, and allows for a relaxed atmosphere in which it is easier to express joy and laughter as well as sadness.
Typically this group lasts for two and a half to three years, with a summer break of up to 4 month in which the members meet at their leisure if they wish. I found that the break helps members to integrate their feelings and become more attuned to their current situation and their needs.
I would recommend between 2-5 month of time between the traumatic experience and the commencement of group therapy. Ideally the believed individuals would receive individual therapy prior to joining the group. It is also possible to continue with the individual psychological treatment during the time the person is in the group if they feel it is helpful to them. In previous groups I lead the couples became more attuned to each other and their attention to their other children, if they had any, helped the family to grow together.
Cost: Negotiable with the sponsoring group.