Do you work with kids?
Interested in working with kids in the future?
Work with distressed clients who once were kids?
Or were you ever a kid yourself in need of extra support?
If yes to any, this workshop may be for you!
SE™ In-Person Workshop
(recording available)
Embodied Play Practices for Healing Attachment Trauma in Adults and Children Combining Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) & Integrated Attachment Family Therapy (IAFT)
w/ Peter A Levine, PhD (live in-person)
Guest Instructor: Dafna Lender, LCSW
In-person at the Mercy Center in Burlingame, CA
May 9th 10am - May 12th 1pm (lunch ends at 2pm)
ATTN: psychotherapists, social workers, teachers, medical and foster care providers, and more…
Join us at the Mercy Retreat Center in Burlingame, CA to learn more about the intersection of SE and IAFT using rhythm, touch, movement, prosody, nurture, and play and address specific attachment and trauma symptoms through Integrated Attachment Family Therapy and Somatic Experiencing Techniques using videos, demonstrations, role play, and practice.
Each year more than four million children in the United States are exposed to a traumatic event. That figure is an underestimation, valid only if we narrowly restrict our definition of trauma to self-evident adverse circumstances that are clearly extraordinary, such as violence, molestation, loss of a caregiver, etc. Trauma can also result from everyday “ordinary” events. In fact, common occurrences such as accidents, falls, invasive medical procedures and divorce can cause children to withdraw, lose confidence, or develop anxiety and phobias. Some children are able to overcome these events with minimal effects. Others, who have lived in unsafe environments with inconsistent/impaired caregivers, or who have endured multiple losses, may not be able to overcome these traumatic experiences without some type of intervention.
“Trauma is not what happens to us. But what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness.”
The bad news is that trauma is a fact of life. The good news is that: so is resilience. Simply stated, resilience is the capacity we all possess to rebound from stress and feelings of fear, helplessness and overwhelm. People (especially young people), however, need not lose their resilience through wear and tear, i.e. toxic stress. On the contrary, we have the capacity to actually build and increase our resilience as we encounter the stresses and strains of life.
During this inaugural workshop, Dr. Levine will be demonstrating Somatic Experiencing® techniques for working with children/adolescents, helping them to gain positive experiences in their bodies that contradict their feelings of helplessness when they arise. Participants will learn practical tools to maximize a child’s resilience when they are stressed beyond their breaking point so that their equilibrium can be restored. Armed with this “recipe for resilience,” practitioners and caretakers can help trauma-proof children, while also generally increasing their tolerance to everyday stress.
Guest Instructor Dafna Lender, LCSW, a trainer in Theraplay and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, and EMDR therapist, will be working with attachment-focused play and embodiment techniques that focus on healing severely dysregulated childhood experiences through physical exercises that are co-regulated by a loving adult. In this way, they can truly become stronger, more caring, joyful, and compassionate human beings. Adults will also be able to use these tools to help heal the hurt child within themselves.
Dafna’s approach, Integrative Attachment Family Therapy (IAFT) focuses on the parent-child relationship as a vehicle to heal problems of trust, hyperarousal or hypoarousal, and connection in both children and parents (and even adult clients). IAFT is effective in treating trauma because it focuses on building attachment relationships using joyful and energetic play-based actions as well as creating and fostering safe dialogues between children and their caregivers. Using these techniques we can help children regain their capacity for joy and restore loving connections to their peers and their families.
This workshop will also address successful parent attachment work. You will learn how to identify when a parent needs more focused individual work, where the parent’s own attachment issues may be impacting a session, how to set goals for parent-focused work, assessing when it is time to re-introduce child into the therapy room, how to navigate parent-child sessions when the parent’s defenses are re-triggered and how to help parents initiate repair and stay present with the child to facilitate true healing and connection.
Learning Objectives
Appraise the rationale for and efficacy of “bottom-up” interventions for the treatment of trauma in children.
Define the somatic effects of stress in children.
Identify the types of behaviors that require a particular intervention.
Explore the evolutionary underpinnings of trauma, the Polyvagal theory, and flight, flight, freeze, and collapse.
Learn practical tools from Somatic Experiencing® and IAFT that you can apply to your practice with parents and children immediately.
Implement interventions to help children increase tolerance for negative bodily sensations and suppressed emotions.
Utilize techniques to repair attachment wounds among children and caregivers.
Discuss how to involve parents in a treatment session.
Review a video demo of a child transformed from chaotic, aggressive, and uncooperative to focused, relaxed, and joyful through play
Practice Somatic Experiencing and IAFT activities in small groups using role play.
Adult Care Objectives
Assess an adult's "play history" to determine which types of play interventions are indicated for a particular client
Learn embodied play interventions for adults who have experienced attachment trauma
Learn how to awaken the joyful, alive and healing energy of the inner child with adult clients
Observe how these new play practices can be transferred to client's current relationships with their own children
Interventions
Therapeutic games for overcoming feelings of helplessness.
Touch-based interventions to release somatically “stuck” responses to stress.
Pendulation-informed techniques to develop a sense of “flow.”
Voice, rhythm, facial expressions, and touch to elicit trust.
Exercises that hone in on various vocal qualities.
Creating and maintaining an open facial expression with defensive clients.
Strategies for incorporating safe touch.
Using playfulness and paradox.
Exercises and activities to make shut down, guarded, or angry children feel more relaxed, open, and ready to connect.
Movement and breathing exercises that create connection.
Focused Parent Work
Trust and attunement practices for caregiver and child.
The stages of parent focused attachment work.
Tools for deepening parent’s regulation skills: role plays, mindfulness practice, self-care.
Re-introducing child into the therapy room.
Tools for titrating the intensity of interaction between parent and child to maintain optimal arousal.
Helping parents stay open and engaged.
Learn gentle ways to intervene and redirect a misattuned or critical parent.
Guiding parents in helpful responses within session.
Facilitate active dialogue between parents and children that’s both safe and gets to their core issues.
Guest Instructor Bio
Dafna Lender, LCSW is an international trainer and supervisor for practitioners who work with children and families. She is a certified trainer and supervisor/consultant in both Theraplay and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP). Dafna’s expertise is drawn from 25 years of working with families with attachment in many settings: at-risk after school programs, therapeutic foster care, in-home crisis stabilization, residential care and private practice. Dafna’s style, whether as a therapist or teacher, is combining the light-hearted with the profound by bringing a playful, intense and passionate presence to every encounter.
Dafna is the co-author of Theraplay the Practitioner’s Guide (2020). She teaches and supervises clinicians in 15 countries in 3 languages: English, Hebrew, and French.
This SE Workshop Includes
Didactic Lecture with demo video review and Q&A
In-depth supervised practice sessions with extensive debrief
Private Online Portal with the Recording & Course Materials
If you purchased the recording only - it is guaranteed by the professional film crew to be ready within 30 days. We will schedule a 45-min Q&A live online once you’ve had time to review the footage.
Daily tea service and lunch (lodging guests receive all meals)
Walking paths & trails
Yoga & meditation room (limited mats/pillows/blankets provided)
Spiritual bookstore
Wifi in designated areas
Option for private SE sessions with providers (not included in cost)
Parking
For SEI Students it also Includes
1 SEI Case Consultation Faculty Supervision Credit for SE students
Master Level SE Assistants will be offering private sessions for SEI credit (not included in cost)
Discounts for SEI Members & those taking Eye of the Needle I
Prerequisites
Recommended: Completion of Basic Principles of SE at SEI and above
Mandatory: Read this handout
A professional practice where you will apply this work (psychotherapy, social work, schools, medical, foster care, etc)
Sample Schedule (subject to evolution)
May 8th
2pm Check-in (for those lodging at the center)
6pm - 7pm Dinner (for those lodging at the center)
7pm Optional Gathering
May 9th - 11th
7:30am - 8:30am Breakfast (for those lodging at the center)
10am - 1pm Session One
1pm - 2pm Lunch (for all participants)
2pm - 2:30pm Rest Break
2:30pm - 3:30pm Session Two
3:30pm - 3:45pm Tea Break
3:45pm - 6pm Session Three
6pm - 7pm Dinner (for those lodging at the center)
May 12th
7:30am - 8:30am Breakfast (for those lodging at the center)
(for those lodging at the center, please pack and bring luggage down before 10am)
10am - 1pm Closing Session
1pm - 2pm Lunch (for all participants)
1pm Complete
Location
Mercy Center in beautiful Burlingame, CA
Less than ten-minutes from the San Francisco International Airport: Google Map
The Mercy Retreat Center is a special place. We will be the only group studying here at this time. Their serene environment is conducive to learning and reflection. There will be lots of space for break-out exercises both indoors and outdoors (weather permitting).
Covid precautions are in place - scroll down for more information.
Clothing layers are recommended for this coastal town that has fog, sun, and rain (May is a gorgeous Month with sunny weather typically).
Lodging
Affordable lodging is available on-site at the private Mercy Retreat Center (option in registration) or at a nearby hotel. Scroll down for pricing.
On-site Lodging in Single Room + all Meals included:
Check-in begins at 2pm on May 8th/Check-out is the morning of the 12th
Includes all meals from dinner May 8th through lunch May 12th
Note dietary restrictions, allergies, and preferences in registration
A kitchenette on each floor + 24-hr access to the main kitchen area
Private single-bedroom with a sink, desk, chair, and closet
Towels, blankets, pillows, and linens
Robe & Slippers (not to keep)
Shared bathrooms on each floor (not crowded)
Mercy Center does not offer a discount on the fee if you do not eat the included meals
Please contact the center directly to arrive a previous day or extend your stay
Not staying at the Mercy Center Lodging?
Includes lunches May 9th - 12th
Breakfast $10 and dinners $20 are available for purchase in advance for commuters - contact us to make arrangements
Recording only option available in Registration if you can’t make it live - supervised live practice with Q&A is advised
Please Review the Mercy Center Policies
Covid-19: Guest Protocol - Mercy Center Burlingame (mercy-center.org)
Participants must be at least 18 years of age
Service Animals: Certified service animals are permitted.
Alcohol: No alcohol is permitted in bedrooms, common areas, or dining rooms. Beer and wine is allowed in the conference room area only with prior permission.
Smoking: This is a smoke-free campus.
Cost
SE Master Class Tuition + On-site 4-night Lodging & all Meals + Recording: $1,560 (best option)
SE Master Class Tuition + Daily Lunch + Recording: $1,060
SE Master Class Tuition for the Recording Only*: $1,045
(flexible payment plans available)
*If you purchased the recording only - it is guaranteed by the professional film crew to be ready within 30 days. We will schedule a Q&A live online once you’ve had time to review the footage.
Discounts
SEI Members receive $100 off, use code: MEMBER100
(please make sure your membership is up to date with Somatic Experiencing International)Participants in Eye of the Needle I receive $100 off, use code: CLASSCOM100
If you qualify for both you receive $150 off, use code: MEMBERCOM150
(please make sure your membership is up to date with Somatic Experiencing International)
**Above discount codes are not applicable with other discount codes
Partial Scholarships: There are limited financial need partial scholarships available to BIPOC students and/or those working primarily with underserved populations. For submission, please email m@somaticexperiencing.com.
Refunds: Last day to request a refund is April 8th, 2022
*After the deadline, you will receive a future credit for extenuating circumstances, like a positive Covid-19 test
For payment plans or payments by check: Please contact: admin@somaticexperiencing.com
For registration issues or other inquiries: Please contact: m@somaticexperiencing.com
IMPORTANT: Once you register and pay, please email a copy of your Covid-19 vaccination card to admin@somaticexperiencing.com and read the retreat center guidelines to be prepared to attend: https://mercy-center.org/guest-protocol/.
We appreciate your cooperation in creating a safe & successful environment for this much-needed class.
Please wear clothing layers to accommodate California coastal weather. We recommend packing items of comfort. Bring your own yoga and meditation materials (optional - some are provided on a first-come basis). No perfumes, please.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
The Ergos Institute of Somatic Education is managing this course.
We hope to see you soon! In-person!
Registration
This master class is at a private retreat center with supervised practice and Q&A.
The commuter option includes daily lunch.
The on-site lodging option includes all meals.
All participants receive parking and other amenities.
There is a recording-only option.
The professionally edited recording will be available in the online portal within 30 days of the completion of the program - Q&A online will be offered, date TBD.
You will receive access to the private portal the day before class begins (once registration closes)
Please make your selection below.
AGREEMENTS - PLEASE READ BEFORE REGISTERING
By registering, I agree to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of fellow participants and copyrighted material.
By registering, I agree this will be a safe space of openness where cultural, religious, historical, generational, societal, and personal differences are respected without judgment, criticism, or harm. I agree to take what serves me and leave what does not.
By registering, I agree not to record or take photographs without explicit permission.
By registering, I acknowledge that this workshop will be recorded by the Ergos Institute for future use.
By registering, I authorize my voice or likeness to be included in the recording if I ask a question. This recording will be used for future educational purposes.
By registering, I agree to follow Covid-19 Guidelines for the retreat center. Potential updates will be announced closer to the class date.
By registering, I agree neither Peter Levine, the Ergos Institute, FHE, SEI, nor any of its managers, staff, coordinators, assistants, faculty members, guest lecturers, technicians, affiliates, online platforms, venues, or representatives have any responsibility or liability for my participation. Therefore, I hereby release them from all claims in connection with such. My attendance and participation is voluntary.
Once you pay, please email a copy of your Covid-19 vaccination card to admin@somaticexperiencing.com and read the retreat center guidelines: https://mercy-center.org/guest-protocol/