Conference Coordinators: Yousef AlAjarma, PhD and Jessica Pishney, PsyD

Nancy Beardall, PhD, CMA, BC-DMT, LMHC, John Berman, MA, Michelle Harris, LMHC, ATR-BC, Ruth Levy, ET, MSW, LICSW, Shaun McNiff, PhD, Alan O’Hare, PhD, presenters

This full day conference includes a keynote address by Shaun McNiff, Professor at Lesley University, followed by workshops in the morning and afternoon that will examine the integration of arts and therapy with a specific focus on trauma. Attendees are invited to choose 3 of the 6 experiential groups in order to gain a deeper knowledge and experience with expressive art therapies and how they relate to trauma. We will look at different theories of expressive therapies, such as drama, art, narrative, song and dance, and how they can be applied to work with families and individuals. The program will focus on how art can be a healing component of therapy, particularly with individuals who have experienced trauma.

Keynote Address: Shaun McNiff, Ph.D., Focusing on the Integration of Art and Therapy

Workshops include:

1. Shaun McNiff, Ph.D., focusing on the integration of art and therapy
2. Ruth Levy, ET, MSW, LICSW, focusing on the integration of narrative therapy theory and the arts with specific attention to working with families
3. Nancy Beardall, Ph.D., CMA, BC-DMT, LMHC, focusing on the theoretical models and expressive arts activities that promote an “embodied knowing” or integrated learning in the prevention of bullying, sexual harassment, and dating abuse
4. John Berman, MA, will focus on the 8 core processes that drama therapists use and will briefly touch on standard techniques such as sculpting, role reversal, mask use
5. Michelle Harris, LMHC, ATR-BC, focusing on an introduction to Trauma Informed Art Therapy in which attendees will learn about frameworks of trauma treatment and art therapy that overlap around goals of safety and stability at the level of positive sensory engagement
6. Alan O’Hare, focusing on an ancient tradition in which visual and performing artists gather together the thread and fabric from the community and join together to celebrate the mysteries and miracles through story, song, and the visual arts

Upon completion of the program the student will be able to:

• actively integrate narrative theory and the arts, adding to the narrative of the family as well as your own narrative of what you bring to the families you work with
• ntegrate narrative and expressive therapies as a way of embodying peoples’ strengths and creativity
• have a deeper understanding of and familiarity with the mind/body social circuitry and how through role play scenarios, the active bystander is enhanced and embodied
• have a better understanding of the core processes of drama therapists and how to utilize them when working with victims of trauma
• integrate and apply the frameworks of trauma treatment and art therapy around goals of safety and stability at a level of positive sensory engagement
• integrate story, song, and visual arts into the healing process of therapy

Program Code: LMHP
6 CE Credits
Location: at MSPP, West Roxbury/Boston

Shaun McNiff, Ph.D., at the age of 27, was afforded the opportunity by Lesley University to establish the first graduate program to integrate all of the arts in both therapy and education. He has served as board member of the American Art Therapy Association (1977-1981; 1999-2001) and as President (2001-2003). He is now a Professor at Lesley University.

Ruth Levy, ET, MSW, LICSW, is an Assistant Professor in the Expressive Therapies Division at Lesley University as well as the Clinical Supervisor and Clinician at the GriswoldCenter in Western Massachusetts.

Nancy Beardall, Ph.D., CMA, BC-DMT, LMHC, is the Dance Therapy Coordinator in the Expressive Therapies Division at Lesley University. She is also a Certified Movement Analyst, and uses dance/movement and the expressive arts in the public schools with students K-12 of all populations.

John Bergman, MA, is an Instructor and the Coordinator of Psychodrama/Drama Therapy Specialization, Division of Expressive Therapies at LesleyUniversity. He is also the Artistic Director of Geese Theatre Company.

Michelle Harris, LMHC, ATR-BC, is a licensed psychotherapist and registered art therapist who specializes in trauma recovery with a private practice in Cambridge, MA. She is also a clinician, trainer and faculty member at the Trauma Center at JRI and faculty at Lesley University in the expressive Therapy Graduate Department.

Alan O’Hare, Ph.D., is a community psychologist, university educator and Artistic Director of Life Story Theatre.