Summer Workshop 2009
For five days in August, 20 international psychotherapists gathered from places as faraway as Kyrgyzstan, Israel, England, and Slovenia. With the surf and sand below, the group dove into the Oaklander Model – they explored new ways of helping children heal from trauma or other painful circumstances, and to feel better by expressing their emotions in ways that are complete, safe, and satisfying.
The training was led by Karen Hillman Fried, Lynn Stadler, and Sue Ellen Talley – all three are Founding Members of VSOF and licensed marriage family therapists who work with children and families. Friend of the Foundation Blake Brisbois offered his assistance with web site development, training set up, photography, Facebook page creation, and a variety of other helpful jobs.
Using Violet’s tried and true two-week Summer Training as their guide and inspiration, the trainers organized a 30-hour program that covered: Gestalt Influences on the Oaklander Model; Developmental Issues; Therapeutic Process, Working with Anger and Aggressive Energy; and Working with the Field (Parents and Teachers). Students learned via lecture, small group work, demonstrations, and first-hand experience with creative projective techniques using drawing, clay, encounter bats, projective cards, puppets, music, and a full day of sand tray on the Malibu beach.
The students came from near and far because of their interest in Violet and her books Window to Our Children (1978) and Hidden Treasure: A Map to the Child’s Inner Self (2006). Violet attended the training for an afternoon Q&A, and indulged the group with one of her treasured puppet shows. VSOF Founding Member Patric White Ph.D participated in the training as a guest speaker on the topic of Working with Adolescents. Violet and Patric joined the trainers and students for the closing dinner and bonfire on the beach.