I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.

Brené Brown

Expressive Arts/Art Therapy Consultation Groups September - December 2022

• 2 hour consultation groups
• Cost is $65/hour ($130 per 2 hour session)
• Must prepay at least one week in advance to attend sessions.  

 

Expressive Arts/Arts Therapists, Social Workers, Psychologists, Counsellors

In-Person, Saturdays 9:30 - 11:30 (MT)

• September 17
• October 15
• November 5
• December 3

On-Line, Saturdays 12:00 - 2:00 (MT)  Expressive Arts Practitioners, Educators, Consultants

• September 17
• October 15
• November 5
• December 3

 

The goals of providing these groups for practitioners and therapists are as follows:

• to create a safe/brave place to bring practice questions; 
• explore questions through the use of the arts and clinical consultation;
• create meaningful connections with colleagues. 

If you are needing these hours for social work, art therapy or expressive arts registration, let me know in advance.  

It is preferable for groups to be closed, meaning that we have a small number of people coming who are committed to the 4 sessions vs. it being a drop in group.  

These consultation groups are arts based, with some experiential elements, and are guided and informed by Polyvagal Theory and Internal Family Systems work.  

Alternately, if you already have a small group of practitioners and would like to create a monthly consult group and are looking for someone to lead the consultation group, do let me know. 


For questions or to register, contact Carmen at carmenr@telusplanet.net

Human Connections are deeply nurtured in the field of shared story.

Jean Houston

 

 

There is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it--
if only we are brave enough to be it.
Amanda Gorman

PRAIRIE INSTITUTE OF EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY

MARCH 2022
New Dates and New Trainings!!

Three Day Training in Body-Focused Expressive Arts Therapy for Traumatized Children and Adolescents

with

Carmen Richardson MSW, RSW, RCAT, REAT 

 

Overview: This three day training will provide participants with a comprehensive framework for treating traumatized children & teens. This four- phase, resource-oriented model is grounded in attachment theory, the psychophysiology of trauma, CBT, and expressive arts therapy. It is based on Carmen’s book, “Expressive Arts Therapy for Traumatized Children and Adolescents: A Four-Phase Model”.

Training Objectives: To provide a practical, structured framework that guides assessment & treatment processes. To learn structured, arts-based, sensory interventions to effectively treat key trauma reactions and promote self-regulation. To increase clinical skills such as working with a resource-oriented lens, tracking client sensory processes, & working with the body, art & relationship.

When: May 26 - 28, 2022

Where: 57 Bearspaw Summit Place 

Cost: $600 on or before May 1, 2022  & $640 after

Payment Methods: e-transfer to carmenr@telusplanet.net

About the four-phase model: “Although rich with creative activities, the author quickly establishes that these are not to be approached as a ‘recipe’ of activities to pick and choose from, but as strategically placed activities to support the larger picture of helping children develop the resilience needed to experience posttraumatic growth.  The structured framework helps to ensure a process that is safe, but it also provides the flexibility necessary for following the child’s creative processing and use of varied activities at a pace that is safe and tolerable.”

William Steele, PsyD, MSW

Founder, The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children

For further information or to Register, please contact Carmen at carmenr@telusplanet.net
 

"Please, hold out your hand"
Julie Fehrenbacher

 The Experience of Self-Compassion through Expressive Parts:
Blending Internal Family Systems (IFS) with Expressive Arts (EXA)

Dates: June 24 & 25, 2022
Time: 10:00 - 4:00
Location: 57 Bearspaw Summit Place
Cost: $400 on or before May 24, 2022 ($440 after)
Facilitator: Carmen Richardson MSW, RSW, RCAT, REAT

Description: This 2 day workshop brings together two beautiful ways of working.  IFS is a mindful, self-compassionate way of understanding ourselves as humans.  Expressive arts allows us to deepen our way of being and expressing ourselves in the world.  IFS & EXA, when blended, provides a truly powerful somatic approach to personal and professional growth.  This experiential workshop will introduce participants to a blended version of these two ways of working with ourselves through the use of music, mindfulness, movement, creative writing, voice, and art.

It is indeed a radical act of love just to sit down and be quiet for a time by yourself.
Jon Kabat-Zinn

PAUSE

Date: July 9, 2022
Time: 10:00 - 4:00
Location: 57 Bearspaw Summit Place 
Cost: $200 (on or before June 15, 2022, $235 after)
Facilitator: Carmen Richardson MSW, RSW, RCAT, REAT

Description: This workshop is a great introduction to the work of expressive arts AND for those who are already familiar with the expressive arts process.  PAUSE is an invitation to return to the home within yourself, to take stalk, to create space for inner listening...an experience facilitated with the healing arts.  Carmen uses an Internal Family Systems framework guided by simple intermodal expressive art invitations.  In a small group format, we will create a brave space and container to reconnect with ourselves and our inner journey in the company of others.  May we leave this day feeling renewed and refreshed. 

Expressive Arts Training Summer Immersion

August 17 - 21, 2022
Located in Bearspaw, Calgary
Cost: $1200

This one week immersion is an introduction to the field of expressive arts.  It is designed for professionals and community people who are interested in learning about the field of expressive arts for both personal and professional development.  We will be utilizing intermodal arts including creative writing, movement, drama, music and visual arts.  


To register or for further information, please contact Carmen at carmenr@telusplanet.net

ADVANCED* TRAINING IN EXPRESSIVE ARTS AND TRAUMA THERAPY!

CHARTING A COURSE:

NAVIGATING AND ACHIEVING SAFE TRAUMA PROCESSING
THROUGH THE EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPIES

Carmen Richardson MSW, RSW, RCAT, REAT

**This advanced training is for practitioners who have attended the 3 Day Body-Focused Expressive Arts Therapy for Traumatized Children and Adolescents.

In this 2-day experiential and didactic training, participants will be presented with:

• Clinical case studies
• Current theory related to trauma work, including Polyvagal Theory for trauma therapy
• The opportunity to develop clinical skills essential to trauma-informed practice
• A brief overview of Carmen’s Stage Model of Trauma Processing (as outlined in her book)
• Specific Expressive Arts Therapy interventions designed to support trauma processing with a focus on Phase Three of the model
• An exploration into the “Therapist’s world view” as it is related to trauma processing
• A deeper look at developing effective stewardship skills to mitigate against a therapists experience of being exposed to secondary trauma.
• The experiential learning component will provide:
• An invitation and opportunity to work with personal experiences to illuminate trauma-informed processes and support clinical skill development in the application of the Expressive Arts Therapies.

**This training will be offered in small group format (6-12 participants) to ensure optimal experiential learning.

Training Dates:  September 23 & 24, 2022
Times: 9:00 - 4:30
Cost: $500 on or before August 15, 2022 and $540 after 
Location: 57 Bearspaw Summit Place 
For further information or to register:  carmenr@telusplanet.net