The Body Positive Conundrum

208 Flynn Avenue,Burlington VT 05401

04 June, 2022

Description

This experiential workshop explores the tension between body image self-acceptance and secretly wishing your body was different. Do you experience tension between espousing the concepts of: Beauty at any size I love myself as I am I reject societal, patriarchal, and capitalist expectations of how my body should look ….and at the same time your internal dialogue says I want my body to be different? How do you reconcile that tension and honor the wholeness of who you are? It can feel like a Conundrum. This workshop explores the Body Positive Conundrum and what it means to be in an honest relationship with our bodies and fully human in our culture. Our goal is to find true transformation which occurs when we can hold the tension of the conundrum and allow for a new third attitude to emerge. (Jung referred to this as the transcendent function.) Using the context of body image we will explore the tension of opposite perspectives, how to navigate that energy with the intended outcome of reconciliation. We will engage in this work through psychodrama, visual art making, and action methods. In this workshop, participants are given an opportunity to learn about and engage in visual art making and a variety of psychodramatic techniques that can be integrated and used in different therapeutic models. Psychodrama means “soul in action” and is an experiential, dynamic, action-oriented group process. It is designed to generate creative energy and spontaneity that can greatly enhance a person’s ability to manage or bring about desired change in an atmosphere of safety and support. We invite you to engage in your own personal growth and discover how the expressive arts can help you live life to its fullest. No prior experience required. Facilitators: Sue Shaffer, PhD, LCMHC, CP is a licensed clinical mental health counselor, nationally certified psychodramatist, and holds a PhD in depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Sue’s expertise is in the transformative impact of the numinous in psychodrama and the expressive arts. She has presented at the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama annual conferences. Sue has a private practice in Burlington, VT. Topaz Weis, BA, REACE® is a Registered Expressive Arts Consultant/Educator, Co-Chair of the REACE® Professional Standards Committee for IEATA (International Expressive Arts Therapy Association) a certified SoulCollage® Facilitator, artist, speaker, astrologer and mother. She is the Founder /Creative Director of Expressive Arts Burlington in Burlington, Vermont. Topaz works internationally in person and via zoom with individual clients, groups and organizations leading people in fun and profound experiences to engage their imaginations and explore their creativity.