Mediating Trauma Through Creative Expression Workshop

"Trauma is a story that has gotten stuck and forgotten how to dance. We have to teach it to move again."
These are the first words you will hear after a violin improvisation welcomes you into a safe and sacred space. Through writing, movement, and music, participants share their story of trauma, challenge or grief, as it is now and as they re-vision it.

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM -- Part 1 is an academic piece related to the trauma literature
2:00-4:00 PM -- Part 2 is experiential
Both parts of the workshop will be held on Zoom (link provided the week of the workshop to registered participants)
Participants are asked to have a support person available during and after the workshop
Registration will be limited, to allow for full participation of all individuals

The Writing. Participants will initially write about a trauma that is stuck, read it aloud if so led, then write a "re-visioned" story. A three-minute writing limit helps focus and simplify the story.
The Movement. As participants take turns reading their stories slowly, we invite others to move, creatively and simply, bringing the stories to life and into the Light. Whether just using our fingers or our whole body, we join each other's stories. We are no longer alone with our trauma.
The Music. We begin with listening to live music to help open heart, mind, body, and spirit to a safe and sacred space. Music then "accompanies" the stories and movement of each participant using music therapy techniques such as mirroring and matching. We close with music to invite group movement that reflects our "re-visioned" stories.
We acknowledge the presence of the Divine in our work and trust the Inner Light that dwells within each person. Our experience has taught us that there is an immeasurable healing capacity within each of us. The writing, movement, and music are all "Spirit-led". We are held and moved by that transformative Mystery, by Love that knows no bounds.
The Facilitators
Dr. Jennifer Elam began her study of psychology in 1969 and served in many settings until her retirement in 2014. She has been immersed in Quaker ministry for 30+ years. She is presently following leadings to use her life-time of work in psychology, spirituality and social justice to develop classes/workshops, using creative media - writing/poetry, dance and visual art - as led by Spirit for healing. www.jenelam.com
Gloria Stearns-Bruner is a member of Bloomington Friends Meeting, IN and has been a Quaker for 34 years. She is a clinical music therapist in private practice and a violinist, currently following a leading in music ministry and activism, writing music as led by Spirit for personal and cultural healing. www.stearnsmusictherapy.com
Dr. Elam developed this workshop after studying the work of Bessel van der Kolk, Peter Levine, and Stephen Porges. Over Memorial Day weekend of 2022, we had the pleasure of having Dr. Porges attend our workshop and give us feedback. He observed with his video off. After being thanked at the end, he came on and his smile could not have been more authentic.

Mediating Trauma Workshop Registration

Name of Participant:(Required) Participant Email(Required) Participant Phone Number(Required) Quaker Meeting or Affiliation(Required) Support Person for Participant(Required)

I understand that the presenters recommend having a support person available to me as a participant during this workshop.

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