Trauma-Informed Chair Yoga for Mood and Anxiety Symptoms
Presenter(s): Lucey Cummins, LCSW, LCAT, C-DBT
NASW-NYS Members: $20
NASW Other Chapter Member: $40
Non-Members: $50
This workshop is approved for 2.0 continuing education credit hour(s) for licensed social workers, licensed mental health counselors, and licensed marriage and family therapists.
Workshop Description
Trauma-informed chair yoga, including the utilization of skills such as muscle tension release, regulated breath practice, mindfulness, visualization, and grounding, can regulate mood and anxiety symptoms, and return a client to a relaxed state. This presentation will discuss the function of the vagus nerve and its ability to regulate the fight/flight/freeze response. Diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness, and other simple exercises which target the vagus nerve will be discussed and demonstrated. Attention will be given to creating a safe environment for survivors of all forms of trauma- incidental, historical, racial, cumulative, and vicarious. A didactic presentation will be followed by an experiential chair yoga session.
Learning Objectives
After the completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Explain the relationship between the nervous system and anxiety/mood/trauma-related symptoms
- Summarize key elements of trauma-informed chair yoga
- Summarize benefits of diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness, and facilitation of safe environment
- implement at least three relaxation skills with diverse client populations
- Utilize learned strategies as self-care for vicarious trauma
This workshop is approved for 2.0 continuing education credit hour(s).
NASW-NYS is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (Provider ID #0014), licensed mental health counselors (Provider ID #MHC-0053), and licensed marriage and family therapists. (Provider ID #MFT-0037).
Lucey Cummins, LCSW, LCAT, C-DBT, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (Dance/Movement Therapy). She has 20 years of direct service experience in NYC hospitals, outpatient clinics, day treatment programs, shelters, residential treatment centers, and schools, where she has facilitated Chair Yoga groups for various populations. She is a certified Yoga Instructor and Dialectical Behavior Therapist. She has worked for NYC Health + Hospitals since 2006 and is currently serving as a trainer in their Mental Health Service Corps program where she provides Evidence-Based Practice training to early career social workers and psychologists across the system. Lucey is passionate about the intersection of body, breath, and mind in the healing of trauma and other mental health struggles. She is deeply interested in and committed to incorporating an Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive framework in her practice and training endeavors.