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

Ursula Elsa

Training Description

Marginalized youth may often feel their authenticity and self expression is restrained by school systems, mainstream culture, peers, and family culture. In our current climate of social distance learning in a global worldwide pandemic, youth may feel those additional layers of stress and anxiety. Mindfulness based expressive arts offers youth a place to find full expression, play, and healing. Join this workshop to engage in expressive arts activities to support young people 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

•  Explore and engage in trauma informed mindfulness practices 
• Understand how mindfulness and expressive arts are interconnected 
• Discuss how expressive arts activities support anxiety and stress reduction for marginalized youth
• Participate in at least 4 expressive arts activities for system involved youth to develop self-acceptance, compassion and empathy

Agenda 

11:00am-11:30am Welcome, Housekeeping, and Mindfulness Practice 

11:30am-12:00pm Introduction: How do Mindfulness and Expressive Arts Support Youth? 

12:00pm-12:30pm Expressive arts Activity #1 Exploring the Inner Critic & Finding your Voice 

12:30pm-1:15pm Lunch (CEUs will not be issued for this time)

1:15pm-2:15pm Expressive Arts Activity #2 Self Acceptance and Celebration

2:15pm-2:30pm Mindfulness Practice 2:30-3:30pm Expressive Arts Activities #3 and 4 Self Compassion and Empathy Building 

3:30pm-3:45pm Customizing Expressive Arts for your Clients

3:45pm-4:00pm Closing and Feedback

Meet Our Trainer

Ursula Elsa (she/they) 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 over 6 years and is currently leading rites of passage work 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. Ursula has been developing curriculum at the intersection of mindfulness, social emotional development and nature connection to support organizations and families that she collaborates with.

This course meets the qualifications for (4.25) BBS CEUs for LCSWs and MFTs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences & is provided by Fred Finch Youth Center, CAMFT Provider #045295.