Dear friends,
This section focuses on my private teaching and consulting services and provides information on how to schedule a course or workshop. My unique career in the field of Expressive Arts Therapy with traumatized children and women has spanned more than 35 years. During that time I have taught at universities world wide and trained staff for numerous organizations including Save the Children, USAID and Mercy Corps.
Trainings emphasize core skills in Expressive Arts Therapy as trauma intervention, which can be applied to a variety of activist, academic, professional and clinical settings. The methodology employed is person centered and humanistic in theory and focuses on self growth and recognizing the importance of embracing one’s own pain in order to be able to sit comfortably with the pain of others.
“Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well, can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.”
~ Pema Chodren, Buddhist nun
* Trainings are offered in culturally sensitive methods of using the expressive arts and play therapy techniques to initiate trusting relationships with children and to awaken their empathy.
* Trainings are tailored to the unique needs of individuals or organizations.
* Trainings provide tools for volunteers who intend to work abroad so that they can facilitate expressive, nonverbal activities in their work with vulnerable, traumatized children and women. The tools include art, music, dance and movement that create non-threatening methods for children to tell their stories, ground and organize their thoughts and feelings while communicating their experiences to others.
* The methodology is designed to challenge students to abandon the well-meaning western archetype that professionals who visit other cultures often bring, and instead focus on a culturally sensitive, collaborative and relational approach applicable to various communities around the world. Students learn how to successfully enter and engage a different culture with respect, curiosity and humility.
* Teaching methods include lecture, slides, film, role-plays and large and small group discussions.
* Trainings emphasize the importance of playful and joyful interaction with children and women who have experienced extreme loss and struggle.
Although the focus is primarily on work developed in response to the AIDS crisis, the techniques can be adapted and used in any context with traumatized children and women.
No previous art experience required. All trainings are experiential.
To set up a training please Call (415) 726-0422 or Email Gloria at Harambee Arts
Fees for trainings will be paid directly to Ms. Simoneaux (on a consultancy basis) and are separate from her work as the Director of Harambee Arts. Unless otherwise indicated, funds generated through U.S. trainings do not financially support Harambee Arts.