Mindfulness and Expressive Arts Practices to Develop Self-Acceptance, Compassion and Empathy with System Involved Youth

Ursula Elsa

Training Description

System involved youth can often feel their authenticity and self-expression is restrained by school systems, mainstream culture, peers, and family culture. Mindfulness based expressive arts offers system involved youth a place to find full expression, play, and healing. Join this workshop to engage in expressive arts activities to support system involved youth in finding their creative voice while navigating their anxiety mindfully. This workshop will lead participants through experiential art practices and activities to support system involved youth to develop self-acceptance, compassion and empathy.

Learning Objective

● Participants will be able to identify at least 1 trauma informed mindfulness practice that could be beneficial for system involved youth.

● Participants will be able to explain how expressive arts activities can support anxiety reduction for system involved youth.

● Participants will acquire at least 4 expressive arts activities which can support system involved youth in developing self-acceptance, compassion and empathy.

Agenda

10:00-10:20am Welcome, Housekeeping, and Mindfulness Practice

10:20-10:45am  Self Reflection - Art and Creativity Practices

10:45-11:15am Expressive arts Activity: Exploring the Inner Critic & Finding your Voice

11:15-11:30am  Engaging and Befriending the Inner Critic

11:30am-12:15pm  Expressive Arts Activity: Self Acceptance and Celebration

12:15-12:30pm  Break (CE hours will not be offered for this time)

12:30-12:40pm  Mindfulness Practices

12:40-1:10pm  Expressive Arts Activities: Self Compassion and Empathy Building

1:10-1:30pm  Facilitator Practice - Reflection and Integration

1:30-1:45pm  Customizing expressive arts for your system involved youth

1:45-2:00pm  Closing and Feedback

Meet Our Trainer

Ursula Elsa (they/she) was born and raised in the beautiful land of the Bay Area, Ohlone Territory. She has been teaching mindfulness and nature connection to youth in the Bay Area for 8 years and is currently leading rites of passage and nature connection programming for Gaia Passages. Ursula is passionate about creating programming for LGBTQI+ and neurodiverse communities. She is also a trained doula and an advocate of parent’s rights in the birth community.

This course meets the qualifications for (3.75) BBS CE hours for LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences & is provided by Fred Finch Youth Center, CAMFT Provider #045295.