Mediating Trauma Through Creative Expression

Facilitated by Dr. Jennifer Elam and Gloria Bruner

Part 1. Basic Concepts Related to Trauma; 10:00a.m. - Noon

Using the work primarily of Porges, van der Kolk, and Levine, we will talk about some of their basic concepts and explore how they might apply to our own situations. Quaker trauma writer, John Calvi says there are six things we need to learn to say and do well: Thank you, I love you, Help me, I am sorry, That’s not good enough, and Bug off. Which do you do well? Which do you need help with? All of the trauma writers here are espousing the importance of movement and creativity. How do you use creativity in your life? We will create a plan for intervening in our own trauma and preventing further trauma. References for further study will be provided.

Part 2. Our Stories; 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Trauma and grief can be stories that have forgotten how to dance. We will help them learn to move again toward healing. Evidence from our personal and professional lives confirms what research is showing: creative expression and working with our bodies along with words are effective in getting our stuck challenges to move. Class members will be asked to write a brief story about a challenge that is stuck in their lives. We will incorporate music and movement as participants read their stories. Then we will rewrite our stories with a new vision and others will move to that new story. Sharing will help us take steps to make changes in our lives so that our stories can learn to dance again with Love.

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 Quakerism for 30 years. She is presently following leadings to use her life-time of work in psychology/teaching, spirituality, and social justice to develop classes, using creative media such aswriting, art, and dance/movement as led by Spirit for healing. www.jenelam.com.

Gloria Stearns-Bruner is a Friend for 34 years and a member of Bloomington Friends Meeting. 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.