A Unique Training Experience Designed for Us
Are you a Practitioner of Color--mental health therapist, counselor, social worker, psychologist, body worker, healthcare professional, teacher or other professional of color-- working predominantly with Black, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi, Latinx, SWANA, biracial, multiracial, transracial adoptees and other People of Color? Have you been curious and seeking more training in the applications of Interpersonal Neurobiology in the therapeutic relationship? This 4-hour online training, facilitated by Danette C. Gillespie-Otto, LCSW (she/her) and Marc-francis Otto, MA, RSMT/E, LPC (they/them) is designed specifically for you!
We have two Introductory sessions available this fall:
Friday, October 6, 2023 from 9 AM - 1 PM PST; or
Friday, November 10, 2023 from 9 AM - 1 PM PST
Interpersonal Neurobiology is the neuroscience of how we are hurt and how we heal within relationships. It describes how our brains and bodies are affected by disconnection, trauma and a lack of compassionate reflection. Through warm, attuned relationships, coupled with practical information about how the nervous system works, practitioners can support clients in deep, transformative healing. Neuroplasticity throughout life allows this kind of growth within clients and within ourselves, as practitioners.
The Interpersonal Neurobiology perspective provides a way to support People of Color in deep trauma healing, which expands their ability to heal from the daily dehumanization of racial microaggressions and other forms of systemic oppression. In this training, we specifically address how to support clients in healing not only from their unique, individual experiences, but also from the trauma of racism.
Safety is the Intervention
The foundation of Interpersonal Neurobiology is that we must feel safe in order to heal. Safety is the intervention. Without safety, our nervous systems remain in an activated state to attempt to protect ourselves. As an African-American practitioner, I have attended many clinical trainings with White professionals in which the racial microaggressions I experienced impacted my ability to learn the information being presented and was emotionally disruptive for me.
We have designed this training for Practitioners of Color to have a nurturing, safe environment in which to learn the powerful lens of Interpersonal Neurobiology. Because we will only be admitting Practitioners of Color to this training, the training cannot be accredited for CEUs for all licensure types. At this time, we can offer CEUs to LPCs only. We apologize for this inconvenience, but we recognize the value in hosting a BIPOC-safe space for this tender work together.
We also acknowledge that Marc-francis, my spouse and co-facilitator, is white, and has also been affected by the "poisoned well of racism." Marc-francis is a therapist and a resident expert in Interpersonal Neurobiology, having studied with Bonnie Badenoch, PhD, a preeminent researcher and practitioner of Interpersonal Neurobiology and author of “Being a Brainwise Therapist” and “The Heart of Trauma”, for the past 13 years. They have dedicated themselves to acknowledging and dismantling their own racism, works to maintain a clear, compassionate presence with our Colleagues of Color and is always open to feedback. For more information, you can click here: www.nourishingrelationship.com/workshops.
Training Content & Facilitators
These trainings will be hosted on Zoom!
Introduction to Interpersonal Neurobiology
Friday, October 6th -or- Friday, November 10, 2023
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM PST
Topics
Interpersonal Neurobiology Overview
The Embodied Brain
Trauma and How We Adapt
We will provide the following during the training experience:
Experiential activities, including:
psychoeducation on Interpersonal Neurobiology and racism,
paired sharing,
mindfulness meditation,
Consistent centering of the experiences of Black, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi, Latinx, SWANA, biracial, multiracial, transracial adoptees and other People of Color, while also reflecting on the impact of White supremacy in our lives and the lives of our clients.
Danette C. Gillespie-Otto, LCSW
As an African-American psychotherapist, facilitator and public speaker, I offer support to individuals and groups seeking their deepest well-being.
I obtained a Master's of Social Work from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2000, and have been a licensed clinical social worker since 2007. I've worked in community mental health and private practice as a clinician, a clinical supervisor and a clinical director of a behavioral health clinic, in administration in non-profits, as an anti-oppression workshop facilitator, and in quality improvement, mentoring, higher education, government and research.
I am trained by the Anti-Defamation League and the National Conference of Community and Justice, and have 24 years of experience as a facilitator on issues of oppression and diversity.
I am currently in private practice and specialize in supporting womxn and femmes of color from an attachment-based, culturally-responsive Interpersonal Neurobiology perspective.
Marc-francis Otto, MA, RSMT/E, LPC
As a somatic therapist and facilitator, I offer support to people and groups who want more nourishing relationships. I earned a Master’s Degree in Somatic Psychology with an emphasis in Dance/Movement Therapy from Naropa University in 1998. From 1998 to 2013, I worked as an addictions, mental health, and creative arts therapist in various non-profit treatment agencies in Colorado and Oregon, with a focus on evidence-based practices. From 2004 to 2014, I co-facilitated a local theater program, called “Play after Play,” that offered performances and experiential education about play to families with young children. I currently run a private practice based in Interpersonal Neurobiology, mindfulness and embodiment, for individuals and couples.
My current focus is on the neuroscience of relationship and trauma. I bring a depth of understanding about how people get hurt in relationship and how they heal in relationship. This focus includes an experiential understanding of the interpersonal neurobiology of racism.
We welcome your questions about this experience! Feel free to contact Danette at communioncounseling@gmail.com and/or Marc-francis at nourishingrelationship@gmail.com.