SPRINGFIELD – A clinician working in a residential program for girls who have suffered abuse, neglect or trauma saw a need to provide a safe way for the girls to express the deep and often painful emotions that surround their current circumstances. Her innovative solution helped them do precisely that, through art.
The girls this clinician sees are often noncommittal,at least initially, when it comes to expressing feelings. When they’re asked to sit down to talk about their experience and how they feel, they’re not likely to feel engaged, but art changes the equation. The clinician provides some initial guidance, but it’s entirely up to the girls how they choose to express themselves. They draw their emotions and illustrate situations from their lives. They see it and quickly appreciate that it’s something they need. Expressing their feelings through art makes them willing and sometimes even excited to participate in their own recovery.
This success story is true and local, and the best practices that underlie it can be replicated to help more girls in more places to feel safe and deal more effectively with their recovery from trauma. Sharing the latest techniques and best practices in social work, direct care, education and psychology is the overarching focus of Through Her Eyes, the annual Human Service Conference presented by CHD.
Now in its 13th year, Through Her Eyes takes place at the MassMutual Center in Springfield on Friday October 27, 2017, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Again in 2017, Through Her Eyes will unite professionals such as health care providers, clinicians, social workers, counselors, educators and community leaders who are committed to helping girls and young women at home, in school, and in society face and overcome challenges from trauma, neglect, aggression, addiction, and exploitation. In a wide range of presentations and workshops, the most current methods and practices will be discussed, taught, learned and enhanced.
Participants can choose from among more than 20 workshops where notable professionals will provide valuable insights and resources to those who work directly with girls and young women at risk. A sampling of workshop topics includes:
- Trauma Informed Treatment: Its Applicability to Working with Young Women
- Sexual Harassment Prevention: Empowering Young Girls to Take Action
- Real As Me: A Story-Based Approach to Girls Empowerment
- #Cutting: Addressing the Problem of Self-Injury on Social Media
- Self-Care and Stress Reduction: Putting Ourselves First
- Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth in Your Agency
- Maintaining a Positive Image by Embodying Dignity
- Talking About Sex with Teens: Strategies for Providers
- Breaking Out of the Story: Mindfulness Tools for Professionals
In the keynote address, best-selling author, humorist, and motivational speaker Linda Edgecombe will engage her audience of professionals to consider the meaning of what they do for girls and young women, inspire them to serve those people as best they can, and to freely let go of what’s not working. A message of self-care is woven in as well. Edgecombe’s renowned skill as a humorist will be on full display, so participants can expect to laugh and take a long, honest look in the mirror.
Through Her Eyes is a Human Service Conference presented annually by CHD. Founded in 1972, CHD is a nonprofit, CARF-accredited organization providing a broad range of high quality, community-oriented human services to 17,000 children, adolescents, adults, and families each year. The organization is dedicated to promoting, enhancing and protecting the dignity and welfare of people in need. www.chd.org
To learn more about Through Her Eyes, visit chd.org/event/through-her-eyes-2017/
