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Description
There are many biological reasons why all human beings (and other living creatures) play, but the reasons all boil down to this: Like all universally held biological functions, play exists to ensure survival. Studies suggest that it may do so by reducing stress, boosting problem-solving ability, and creating strong communal bonds, among other things. If so, this means we need to take play seriously!
And here is the bonus: As we play more freely, we find that our “better side” emerges more and more. We feel more youthful, flexible, and forgiving. Other people enjoy being with us more, because playfulness means cutting ourselves—and them—some slack, and this allows for relaxed openness between humans. Play is the intentional act of pursuing joy, and most people will be inclined, wherever possible, to accompany you in that pursuit. In this class, you will take part in improv-based games and exercises that will:
· Give you a day of laughter and rejuvenation.
· Teach extraordinarily fun techniques to help both you and your clients to be more open to uncertainty, trust in the moment, risk greater authenticity, listen more expertly, share laughs together—to ultimately deepen the counselor-client bond.
· Give you a take-home “toolbox” of games to play with your clients, that will help them to be in the moment, reduce anxiety and overthinking, build empathy, embrace imperfection, expand their range of emotions, better attend to nonverbal communication, ask for and accept help, and more.
Finally, Improv has been called “play for intelligent adults.” Many professional improvisers believe that if everyone built these skills, there would be world peace within a generation. You are invited to come, recharge, reconnect… and see if you agree!
Contact Hours
6
Presenter Biography
Doni Tamblyn is an author and the former CEO of the corporate training company HumorRULES, LLC. Ms. Tamblyn has been a regular invited presenter at international conferences of the American Society for Training and Development and presented at numerous other conferences on learning and humor. The HumorRULES system of training has been taught through the University of California Extension Business and Management program and the College of Health and Human Services at Western Michigan University. Ms. Tamblyn’s books, Laugh and Learn: 95 Ways To Use Humor for More Effective Teaching and Training (AMACOM, 2002), and The Big Book of Humorous Training Games (McGraw-Hill, 2000), have been translated into five languages. She is now retired from corporate work and deeply interested in working with those in the helping professions.
Dr. Meryl Levin has 25 years of experience as a Licensed Psychologist, working both as a college instructor and clinician. She has taught graduate students at SUNY Albany (Doctoral Pre-practicum and Master’s practicum supervision; Community Counseling), Boston College (Group Therapy, Career Counseling), and Pine Manor College (Master’s Thesis in Counseling). Dr. Levin has maintained a private clinical practice since the year 2000, giving her direct experience applying a wide range of counseling theories and techniques to a diverse clientele. In support of her interest in having fun and in the healing aspects of the therapeutic relationship, Dr. Levin has participated in numerous Improv training courses, including those at Improv Boston in Cambridge, MA, True Story Theater in Arlington, MA, Artistic New Directions, NYC and at Second City in Chicago, IL. Most recently, Dr. Levin served for 11 years as the Internship Capstone Coordinator in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Emmanuel College Boston, which included providing group supervision to undergraduate interns.
