Social Justice & Body Psychotherapy
Thursday Night – Oct 26, 2017
Somatic training has long been focused on a predominantly private practice model, requiring a large investment of time and money on the part of the practitioner, thus resulting in a narrowed audience of clients who have access to a holistic, body-inclusive approach to healing and wellness. However, the vast majority of licensed mental health practitioners gain their pre-licensure hours in agency settings that adhere to no-touch policies, and tend to privilege cognitive interventions for even the most deeply embodied suffering of underserved clients. Ongoing research in neuroscience, mindfulness, and traumatology points to the consistent need for the human body to be regulated, soothed, and attentive in order for the brain to take in new information, digest emotional experiences, and integrate developmental tasks. This fireside chat will explore how mental health practitioners of all levels and settings can skillfully integrate a culturally-responsive, body-inclusive approach to address the healing needs of the underserved, to reduce health disparities for a species in need.
Meet your Board Secretary Dr. Karen Roller with this FREE monthly fireside chat.
Karen Roller, PhD, MFT, FAAETS, DNCCM, CT, CFT, CSCR, is a Clinical Traumatologist and Compassion Fatigue Therapist. She served the foster care and migrant communities of Santa Cruz County for 15 years; has worked in juvenile detention diversion programs addressing dis-proportionate minority confinement; and is currently Clinical Coordinator at Family Connections in Redwood City, a parent-involvement preschool serving the migrant Community of San Mateo County. In collaboration with Global Trauma Research, she is performing trauma training and outcome research in Haiti. She is Assistant Professor in the Counseling Department at Palo Alto University.