Institute for Creative Mindfulness

An African-Centered Perspective on Bilateral Stimulation and Healing

Presented by: Kellie Kirksey, Ph.D., LPCC-S & Jamie Marich, Ph.D., LPCC-S, LICDC-CS, REAT, RYT-500

August 13, 2021

9:00am-4:30pm EST

Course Description

Join Dr. Kellie, Dr. Jamie, and special guest panelist, Rossina Schroeer-Santiago for this EMDRIA advanced topics course, offering participants a model for how therapists can better serve their BIPOC clients in trauma-focused care. The four healing arts of drumming, dancing, storytelling, and silence are the foundational practices in indigenous approaches to healing. This presentation specifically explores the rich tradition of drumming and dancing, both bilateral practices, in African cultures. Content is also delivered, with an experiential component, on storytelling and silence. Historical, anthropological, and psychological connections are explained, with numerous opportunities to connect personally with the material. Implications for EMDR therapists, specifically in our ever-evolving inquiry on mechanisms of action in EMDR therapy are discussed. Themes of empowerment for BIPOC clients are highlighted through cultural connection and attunement, specifically through the practice of self-tapping or personal drumming within EMDR therapy as options for BLS/DAS. Supporting BIPOC clients in exploring the connection to their indigenous origins, and the healing practices that accompany those origins, can be critical to the trauma recovery process. Participants will also have a chance to discuss the content in small breakout groups that challenge them to consider the role of the EMDR therapist as an agent of change in a diverse world. This day-long course is led by the teaching wisdom of Dr. Kellie Kirksey, an African American EMDR and expressive arts therapist with extensive training and personal practice in the healing traditions of Africa and India. EMDR therapy author/ trainer and expressive arts therapy trainer Dr. Jamie Marich joins to offer her commentary from an EMDR therapy perspective. The co-presentation components will offer participants a model for how therapists can better serve their BIPOC clients in trauma-focused care. This course is a live interactive webinar. This is an intermediate-level course. 

Attendance at all sessions and completion of the course evaluation is required to receive a CE certificate. 

After completing this initial registration, you will receive an email from Thinkific to finalize your registration and be given access to preliminary course materials in your personalized dashboard.

After completing a course evaluation, participants will receive their certificate via email. If the certificate has not been received after 24 hours, please contact us. Please contact us with any questions or concerns at [email protected].

Course Objectives

1. To identify and explain the four healing practices that have been identified as common threads in indigenous practices throughout the globe: Drumming, dancing, storytelling, silence
2. To discuss the historical significance of drumming, dancing, storytelling, and silence in African and other indigenous cultures, specifically how teaching these practices and their origins to BIPOC clients can empower through cultural connection and attunement
3. To summarize the current state of the literature on mechanisms of actions within EMDR therapy and the role of BLS/DAS, evaluating how the impact of movement and tactile stimulation may be downplayed in this research
4. To instruct self-tapping for BLS/DAS in a way that is more responsive to client's needs and honors indigenous approaches to healing; also includes an introduction to the “body drumming” practice that can serve as a powerful approach in EMDR therapy Phases 2 & 7.
5. To discuss barriers that EMDR therapists might have (specifically if they are white) in delivering this content and knowledge to BIPOC clients
6. To explain the role that an EMDR therapist as an agent of change and social justice advocate in modern times, and articulate 2-3 concrete steps of action that one can take in the days following the training

The Institute for Creative Mindfulness is approved by the following organizations to offer 6 continuing education (CE) credits for this course:

State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board

The Institute for Creative Mindfulness is an approved provider of continuing education by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for counselors, social workers, and marriage/family therapists. Approval: #RCS091306

EMDR International Association

The Institute for Creative Mindfulness is an approved provider of continuing education in EMDR Therapy by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) Approval: #10002. The program "An African-Centered Perspective on Bilateral Stimulation and Healing" is approved for 6 EMDRIA credits (#10002-102).

American Psychological Association

The Institute for Creative Mindfulness is an approved by American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Institute for Creative Mindfulness maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

National Board for Certified Counselors

Association of Social Worker Boards

Institute for Creative Mindfulness, #1735, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Institute for Creative Mindfulness maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 03/16/2021 – 03/16/2024. Social workers completing this course receive 21 continuing education credits.

A General Note About Approvals

Please also note that APA-approved sponsors are accepted by many state boards, such as California BBS and major licensure boards within the state of Pennsylvania. In both of these cases, separate paperwork does not need to be filled out. Many state boards also accept out-of-state providers, which is why our Ohio approvals appear on every training. In some states, pre- or post-program approval forms must be sent, and you are responsible for checking into the rules of the licensure board in your state as to what is required. Please let the Institute for Creative Mindfulness know if you need support documentation in any way for these pre or post-program approval applications.