Stress & trauma have negative effects on your health
When you experience stress or trauma in life, your brain and body are designed to go into survival mode (fight, flight, or freeze). This automatic biological response degrades your overall health and significantly diminishes your mental clarity. It can have a negative effect on your ability to regulate your emotions, perform tasks, and engage well with others.
Art & creativity help you heal
Learning to recognize your body's stress reactions allows you to respond in helpful, intentional ways. The arts have proven to be powerful tools to help regulate the mind and body, strengthen interpersonal skills, and increase self-awareness.
Invitation
Art is medicine. We will teach you how to use the arts for improved mental health, enhanced performance, and better relationships.
Take this intro workshop to learn the foundations of first aid for mental and emotional health, and build immunity to stress within yourself and in support of others.
Who this Workshop is for:
• Anyone looking to better understand their biology and how to reduce stress to care for themselves and others.
• Professionals looking to perform better at work and with co-workers.
• Nonprofit staff/volunteers serving survivors of trauma.
Course Curriculum
Hello from First Aid Arts!
First Aid Arts teaches people to use the arts as tools for mental and emotional health.
In this video, you will learn from expressive arts clinician, Ruth Yeo Peterman. Ruth has over 15 years of experience in using the expressive arts for healing and trauma prevention.
She believes in the power of the arts in all forms - for expression and reflection, inspiring hope and healing, building connection, and creating possibilities for growth and change.
Ruth holds a BA in Communication Science from the University of South Africa and an MA in Expressive Arts Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University.
“First Aid Arts provides necessary skills to facilitate empathy, attachment, connection, creativity, and a renewed sense of vitality for care providers working within trauma affected communities. Their curriculum is well-researched, tested, and flexible enough to meet the needs of organizations.”
— Nisha Sajnani, Ph.D. Harvard Program of Refugee Trauma
Science Based
Since 2010, we've been leaders in bringing effective arts-based resources to trauma survivors and those who care for them. We've trained over 800 staff and volunteers from over 200 organizations and corporations. Our tools and training are informed by the latest research in neurobiology and psychology. Our programs are overseen by an expert advisory council of professionals in academia and on the ground domestically and internationally.
Intuitive & Accessible
Our first aid model is designed to be practical. Our content is intended to be easily understood and put into practice by lay care providers.
Whether you are a working professional, a volunteer at a nonprofit, or someone looking to increase their mental and emotional health -- First Aid Arts can help you.
Designed with Care
Beauty matters. Great design is not only a pleasure to experience, it produces better results. We take pride in providing you with beautiful materials that you will enjoy engaging with for health and healing.