A workshop for therapists, mental health workers and those in the front-line caring professions. Connection and presence with our clients is vital for mental health workers and those working in the caring professions.

This experiential workshop explores how we can keep our inner creativity active so we can avoid the pitfalls of negative routine patterns that keep us disconnected from ourselves and our clients.  We will work from a place of spontaneity that is safe, by exploring and experiencing improvisation techniques from music and dance-movement therapy.

On this workshop will demonstrate how we cultivate these improvisation techniques as resources for our professional work.  Creativity is the willingness to let go of control and be free from premeditated ideas and plans for working with clients so we can engage with them more fully and more in the present moment.  Increased creativity in our work is a protector against compassion fatigue and burnout and leads to more positive outcomes for our work and personal lives.

We will outline and demonstrate the theories supporting creativity as an essential source of well-being. This will happen through the medium of slide presentation, improvised drumming, listening to music, body awareness and dance movement, reflections, journaling, small group work and feedback.

We will use the following theories and concepts to support this work:

Flow Theory

The Broaden and Build Theory

Self Determination Theory

Social Connection and Belonging

Emotion Regulation & Physiology

Agency and Meaning making

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Facilitators: Dr Marko Punkanen and Michael Dillon

Marko Punkanen, PhD., is a Finnish music therapist, dance/movement therapist, psychotherapist, psychotherapy trainer, certified sensorimotor psychotherapist and trainer. He has over 20 years experience in the treatment of severe traumatisation. His specialist area is in the treatment of complex and attachment trauma, the bodily symptoms of trauma (somatoform dissociation) and the use of the body in trauma treatment.

Michael Dillon, is the Director at Ballyvaloo, he is a psychotherapist by training with specialist training in Trauma work and is a certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist. In the past he has worked with the MEND programme (Domestic Violence Intervention Programme in the South East) for over 10 years, as a therapist with the HSE in Counselling in Primary Care (CIPC) ,the Self Harm Intervention Programme (SHIP) and in counselling management.

He is also accredited by the IACP.

Hosted by: Dr. Marko Punkanen & Michael Dillon. Cost: €750