The Role of Expressive Arts in Healing: Steps to an Ecosystem of Healing

Please join us for The Role of Expressive Arts in Healing: Steps to an Ecosystem of Healing hosted by The National Capacity Building (NCB) Project at the Center for Victims of Torture, Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma, and The National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs.

Description: This presentation will introduce two concepts developed by the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma (HPRT): The H5 model and the Healing Environments and Restorative Therapies (H.E.A.R.T.) approach. The presenter will explain how creative and arts-based exercises, and nature metaphors can support healing psychosocial wounds caused by human-made and natural disasters. Using specific case examples from consultation work being done with Ukrainian teachers and psychologists, the presenter will introduce an arts-based, nature-oriented extension of the H.E.A.R.T. approach, referred to as “Ecosystem of Healing” exercises.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Describe the core components of the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma H5/H.E.A.R.T. model and Healing Environment concept.
• Explain how utilizing therapeutic metaphor and creative projects support hopefulness, connection, and healing for individuals who have experienced (dis)place(ment).
• Identify at least two “Ecosystem of Healing” exercises and describe how they can support psychosocial recovery from trauma and displacement.

Who should attend?

This webinar is intended for staff of torture rehabilitation programs that are funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement and/or are members of the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs, SASIC and STAR Program staff, as well as others who provide services to survivors of torture.

Meet the Presenter

Joe Mageary, PhD, LMHC, CCHMHC
Joe Mageary, PhD, LMHC, CCMHC (he/him) is an Associate Provost for Mental Health and Wellbeing at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He holds the rank of Associate Professor in Lesley’s Department of Counseling and Psychology, where he has served as both the Department Chair and the Director of Field Training for Counseling and Psychology. He is a Licensed School Adjustment Counselor and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Massachusetts, as well as a nationally certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Connecticut. He has used his LMHC in inpatient, outpatient, and community-based clinical roles and has extensive experience as a clinical supervisor, having worked as the Director of Emergency Services and Jail Diversion for an eighteen-town catchment area as well as serving as a Clinical Director in therapeutic high school settings for nearly a decade prior to joining Lesley’s faculty. His current projects include co-facilitating evidence-based Suicide Assessment and Intervention Trainings and providing consultation for aid workers who are caring for internally displaced people, refugees, and youth whose educations are impacted by war.