**This event is open to the public, and is appropriate for professionals and paraprofessional who play supportive and therapeutic roles with children.  Ideal participants include mental health therapist, social workers, teachers, physical and occupational therapist.**

Children and adolescents exposed to trauma are at risk for developing emotional and behavioral challenges. The neurobiological effects of childhood trauma are well documented, and the resulting inhibition of social and emotional functioning make conventional mental health interventions less effective for this population. Clinicians at the Traumatic Stress Center at Kennedy Krieger Institute developed the Yoga-Based Psychotherapy Group (YBPG) protocol to address deficits in self-regulatory capacities in children impacted by trauma. This 14-week trauma-informed group intervention utilizes yoga and movement principles, and has been shown to be effective for children and adolescents ages 8-12, to increase self-awareness, promote self-regulation, self-esteem and pro-social behaviors. This four-hour workshop will discuss yoga as a complementary and alternative treatment, and demonstrate how yoga can be used to provide trauma informed treatment. This workshop is experiential and will include both discussion and exercises that will help the participant implement YBPG in their respective work with children.  The presenter is a Co-Author of one of the included citations, as well as the Yoga Based Psychotherapy Treatment Manual which will be referenced during the presentation.

Learning Objectives:

Upon the conclusion of this training, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the neurobiological effects of child trauma and neglect and the associated implications for developing self-regulatory capacities. 
• Demonstrate and discuss how yoga can be used to complement trauma informed treatment for children and adolescents.
• Describe the structure of the 14-week Yoga-Based Psychotherapy Group (YBPG) protocol.
• Provided with opportunities to discuss and demonstrate specific YBPG activities designed to promote self-regulation and pro-social behaviors.
• Discuss ways to implement YBPG in their respective setting.

Cost: $200 with YBPG manual/$150 without manual 

Target audience:  This is an intermediate in-person four-hour workshop that will include a combination of experiential (movement is optional), lecture, discussion and live Q & A.  This workshop is appropriate for professionals and paraprofessionals who play supportive and therapeutic roles with children.  Ideal participants include mental health therapist, social workers, teachers, physical and occupational therapist.

Presenter Bio:

Dr. Abena Brown-Elhillali, PhD, RYT is a licensed clinical psychologist and registered yoga teacher with 20 years of experience working with children and families. She is the founder and lead clinician of Safe Space for Family Healing, an integrative, trauma informed mental wellness practice for individuals and families. Dr. Brown is also a former employee of the Center for Child and Family Traumatic Stress at Kennedy Krieger Institute where she served as a supervising psychologist. Dr. Brown received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Howard University. Her clinical expertise includes the use of mind-body strategies to manage stress and treat trauma. Dr. Brown dedicates her clinical time to educating families and communities on trauma, resilience and growth. When not engaged in clinical work, Dr. Brown enjoys exploring local parks and beaches with her family and gardening.

Continuing Education:

Social Workers, Professional Counselors and other disciplines will receive certificates of attendance for consideration to appropriate boards.

Psychologist:

Kennedy Krieger Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Kennedy Krieger Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Licensed psychologists will be granted 3.50 CE credit for the lecture attended in full. 

Visit Event Website for more details:  Yoga-Based Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents 

RSVP: 9/4/24