Mindful Dance Presentation for the 2025 EDS Echo Summit

 This past fall I had the opportunity to present at the 2025 EDS Echo Summit on the topic of Mindful Dance. The ability to introduce a way for those living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome to enjoy movement in a manner that is safe for them, was such a special experience. I was on a panel with so many wonderful people within the EDS community, which was such an honor. I will hold this day dear for years to come. If you are interested in being mindful while moving, please watch the linked video to learn more. Following my discussion on the topic is a brief demonstration of mindful dance. 

How to help your child who is experiencing suicidal thoughts

First let me just say, however you responded in the moment is okay. 
If you overreacted in some way, responded with anger, or punishment I understand. 
Don't be afraid to apologize when you have done something from an emotional state, that you later regret. 
Parents are human too. 

If your child comes to you, or if you find out from another concerned adult such as a School Social Worker or School Counselor, that your child has expressed suicidal ideation, what can you do? 

• Listen- let your child talk to you about how they feel
• Believe- don't assume that your child is attention-seeking 
• Support- avoid punishment and ask how you can support them
• Inform- tell your child what you will do, such as locating a therapist or exploring hospitalization
• Breathe- it can be easy to react without thinking, breathe first
• Acknowledge- how are you feeling after learning what you have? Take the time to really acknowledge these feelings so that your words are not causing harm. 
• Be Kind- do not seek to blame yourself for this or assume others are judging you

In my years of working with children and their parents, I have often been the person to contact parents and inform them of their child's suicidal thoughts or actions. The responses have ranged from disbelief, anger, dismissiveness, and sadness. Often times parents want to know why their child is sad, depressed, anxious, and/ or suicidal. Occasionally parents will insist that their child tell them why they are upset, and if a reason cannot be identified the parent draws the conclusion, that the child must be wrong. I.e. "You have nothing to be sad about". Unfortunately, depression and other mental health conditions do not always have an identifiable cause. Or the person may be unable to put their feelings and thoughts into words. This does not make their feelings any less real. 

Do know that how you respond can have a big impact on your child. Your actions can lead to your child feeling supported and loved or disbelieved and burdensome. Don't be afraid to seek the help of others such as mental health professionals and medical professionals. Know that your child's mental health needs are not a sign of you "failing" as a parent. 

National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255

*Note this is not a diagnostic tool or replacement for mental health treatment. 

Getting what you didn't know you needed

 Last Saturday I received an email from a future participant asking for the link for my Dancing MIndfulness practice later that day. Somehow I had completely missed her registration. I had a list of things to accomplish that day and facilitating Dancing Mindfulness was not one of them. But because I believe in what I do, I did what needed to be done to make it happen. 

The happy by-product of this was that I ended up receiving a really lovely healing experience for myself and facilitating one for the participant. Isn't it wonderful how that happens at times? A seemingly unfortunate, slightly annoying, or even an oops moment turns out to be just what you needed. Even if you didn't know you needed it. 

Now I won't say "everything happens for a reason" because I don't believe in toxic positivity. But I will say that sometimes life surprises you and what initially seemed annoying turns out to be the highlight of your day. So now I look forward to things not going to plan. Last Saturday, I meditated with someone an ocean away, received the release I needed, and rested instead of accomplished. I have no regrets. 

SB

Participant testimonials- Update

 Feedback is such a helpful part along the path to improvement. 

Below you will see some of the feedback I have received from my Dancing Mindfulness Practices. 

I love to hear that I have been a part of healing for someone. 

Especially those that have a complicated history with movement. 

As a reminder Dancing Mindfulness is Trauma informed and adaptable to differing levels of ability. 

Music selection is unique to each class, and a major part of the planning as well as setting the tone mentally and physically. 

Pain relief is such a good result.

 *Dancing Mindfulness is not a replacement for medical treatment of any kind*

When you attend a class with me, please make sure to provide feedback for improvement. 

It is also great to hear when you are doing something well. 

Do you ask for feedback in your personal and professional life?

Wellspring: April Dancing Mindfulness

 
April Dancing Mindfulness 

This month our class theme is:

• Wellspring

well·​spring 
: a source of continual supply

We will explore what our own wellspring is and how to feed it. 

In the poem below the author explores the renewable resource within us all. 

Wellspring

To the wellspring

I ask, 

"Where are you?"

As I pour out my last drops,

My last ounce willingly

To those who have forgotten the taste of water.

As I drain myself

Of all I have to share,

Now, I too join in the thirst.

To the wellspring

I ask,

"Where are you?"

Does this resonate with you?

We will focus on refilling out proverbial cup. 

Purchase your tickets here .

Click here for more information on Dancing Mindfulness

Jonathan. "Wellspring". 2020, Hello Poem, https://hellopoetry.com/poem/4054759/wellspring/ . April 7, 2021

Social Workers are Essential

 March is Social Work Month and this year's theme is "Social Workers Are Essential". 

This past year has been a once in a life time experience. It has shown the importance of taking care of our mental health and the impact that physical distancing, racial unrest and basic needs have on our mental health. 

From changes in how we interact with other people, how we shop, what we wear to the fear of contracting an illness we don't fully understand, we have all be under a tremendous amount of stress/ trauma. When students returned to school and adults returned to work it was not the same as the schools and work environments we left. Many of us miss normalcy and being able to be affectionate with those we care about. 

When the winter storms hit Texas and Oklahoma many were without power, internet, and water. Not only were there deaths and physical discomfort but we also lost our remaining mode of connection and communication, even if for a short period of time. Many experienced a need that they were not familiar with. Others experienced an exacerbation of already difficult financial times. 

As a social worker/mental health professional the one thing that has been prominent during these unprecedented times is the increase asks from the community. The public became aware of the amazing work that teachers do and how integral nurse, doctors and other medical professionals are in the past year. One group that has often been left out of this conversation is social workers. In our work locations many of us are being asked to take on additional duties or tasks because it is such a hard time for all. We did not receive additional time in the day or additional time to handle our own responses to these unprecedented times. 

We know that rates of abuse/neglect have increased as families spend more time at home without the ability to leave (1). We also know that more people are in need of mental health support (2). Many are without work, working less hours and having other financial crises (3). All of these things fall to a social worker or social services agency to handle. 

This Social Work Month, how can you support the essential work that social workers do? How can you lift the burden for a social worker in your life? 

1. Intimate Partner Violence and Child Abuse Considerations During COVID-19

  https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/social-distancing-domestic-violence.pdf 

2. The coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic's impact on mental health  

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7361582/

3. Unemployment Rates During the COVID-19 Pandemic: In Brief

 https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R46554.pdf

Join my bi-monthly Dancing Mindfulness class

 The full calendar of upcoming Dancing Mindfulness classes now available on Eventbrite. Link to register for class

Dancing Mindfulness with Stacia will be held on the third Thursday of the month at 8 PM and the third Saturday of the month at 1 PM. Upcoming dates: 

• 
  March 18th
• March 20th
• April 15th 
• April 17th
• May 16th
• May 21st
• June 17th
• June 20th
• July 15th
• July 18th
• August 15th
• August 19th
• September 16th
• September 18th
• October 17th
• October 21st
• November 18th
• November 21st
• December 16th
• December 18th

In Dancing Mindfulness, participants use dance to achieve mindfulness. The act of noticing without judging how we move, feel and think is integral to the practice. During a dancing mindfulness class or individual session participants are not taught to dance or required to achieve any specific level of dance. Dancing Mindfulness is trauma informed and adaptable to different ability levels. You are accepted as you are and encouraged to do what you feel. The facilitator will make suggestions during the class, but they are just that suggestive. 

If you have questions about an upcoming class or would like to book me for a special event/one on one session please reach out at staciabarrett.therapy@gmail.com

December's Dancing Mindfulness Offering

Following the momentum that was created during Black Healing October, I made the decision to offer a monthly virtual Dancing Mindfulness Practice. During Black Healing October I was able to witness the connection that was possible even through a computer. It gave me hope for future sessions with a new group of people. 

This month our goal is to cultivate joy in our lives with our practice. 

    Joy noun,  "a feeling of great pleasure and happiness"

Join in December 19th at 2:00 PM for a joyful practice. The practice will be 30-40 minutes in length. 

Purchase your tickets here

Reminder on Dancing Mindfulness: Dancing Mindfulness is a movement based approach that doesn't ask you to be a "dancer" but to allow your body to be moved by the sounds you hear. No dance experience is required, one of our goals is not to judge our or others movement and I have been told it is a fun experience. Some of the benefits are: healing, relaxation, connection, and novelty. Please contact me with questions and be brave in exploring something new. Dancing Mindfulness is a Trauma Informed practice, feel free to let me know how I can support you during the practice. 

What Social Workers love about their profession.

Years ago I offered a giveaway during Social Work Month, this year due to the stressful state of things I decided to reinstate this event. 

The prize for the giveaway

I asked for social workers to enter by telling me what they love about the social work profession. I love their responses and wanted to share them with you. 

*Social Work is a protected title, meaning that a degree and license are required to be considered a social worker.*

How to Handle Repetitive Heavy News

From deaths while in police custody/ during arrests, to news of the Coronavirus Pandemic, the News can be difficult to digest.

I often tell people that I don't watch the News, what I really mean is that I don't often tune into News Programs. I don't think that any one can really avoid the news. It is on social media, in commercials on television (even outside of the usual places i.e. ABC, NBC, CBS), in ads and suggested videos on YouTube, to conversations with friends and family.

While it is essential to know what is happening in the world around you. It is also important for you to take care of yourself. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the news, numb when another person's end of life requires a hashtag, or anxious about what will be reported next. Put a Personal News Plan into effect.

Some people limit their exposure, some may talk about how they are feeling with others, some may seek professional help, some may take breaks from social media, some may stop friends/family when they bring up a topic that is causing distress. Whatever approach you take spend some time today thinking about what your approach needs to be.

Below is a tracker template I created. Feel free to use and share your plan with others. (Screen shot and edit in your favorite app (The photos app on your phone or Instagram work well).

Let me know how your plan works for you. Also feel free to share your thoughts with me. 

Participant Testimonials

Amanda participated in a Dancing Mindfulness Session I facilitated during Social Work Month. The theme was Beacon of Hope- in keeping with the School Social Work Week theme for this year. 

Dancing Mindfulness

What is Dancing Mindfulness?

In Dancing Mindfulness, participants use dance to achieve mindfulness. 

Mindfulness-

• a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

The act of noticing without judging how we move, feel and think is integral to the practice. 

During a dancing mindfulness class or individual session participants are not taught to dance or required to achieve any specific level of dance. 

Dancing Mindfulness is trauma informed and adaptable to different ability levels. 

You are accepted as you are and encouraged to do what you feel. 

The facilitator will make suggestions during the class, but they are just that suggestive. 

This great info graphic was created by Nicole Allen a fellow Dancing Mindfulness Facilitator. 

For more information please see the Dancing Mindfulness Website. 

Finding help in your area

Looking for resources in your area?

From time to time we can all find ourselves in search of a services in our area. 

The days of pulling out the phone book may be over, for most. 

Resource providers have evolved for the current technology based lives we lead. 

Even as a social worker, who must be aware of services in my client service area, I too find myself searching for local services occasionally. 

I have included below two websites I find useful for locating services providers. 

Aunt Bertha

Aunt Bertha is a website that allows visitors to search by location for services in their local area. There are many ways to specify what you are searching for, such as cost. Those that create an account can save resources, add notes, and share with groups. These features are great for helping professionals, especially the ability to print off resources and translate the page in to many different languages. Start searching for yourself here. 

NeedyMeds

NeedyMeds is a website that allows patients to find coupons and prescription assistance programs for needed medications. The website also offers access to prescription discount cards. Visitors can search for low cost medical care, or browse based on medication or diagnosis. Start your search here. 

211 Texas 

211 is another database for finding local services by zipcode and need. 211 has the added benefit of phone assistance at 2-1-1 or 1-877-541-7905. Search 211 here. 

***Healing Conversations and Movement is not associated with any of the listed agencies/companies. The information listed here is provided for educational purposes only. 

Quick stress relief

If you are like many, you would like to reduce stress in your life.

But where do you start?

 

Adding more steps to an already stressful day can seem like to much.

 

 

What about a quick way to reduce stress or anxiety in your day? Below are a few gifs that remind us to take some deep breaths and relax. 

 

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

What we get wrong about trauma

Trauma by now is a commonly used term. We know that it is a "bad reaction" that happens as a result of a "bad thing" happening to someone. But what do you consider a "bad thing"? And how does that line up with the person who experienced the "bad thing"?

I have presented to several groups of people over the years about trauma. Something that I like to make sure each group hears, is that trauma is an individualized reaction to a traumatic event. Only the person that experienced the event can make the decision about its ranking on their trauma scale. Though this decision is not a conscious one.

Most people would agree that witnessing a murder or being exposed to a sexual assault is traumatic. But not everyone would agree that viewing a telecast of a school shooting is traumatic, or that the words of someone that are not directly abusive can be traumatic. If the person that is witnessing the telecast identifies with the school shooting and interprets the coverage of proof of what could happen at their school, this could be traumatic. If the words that are spoken come from a person held in high regard or power over the person these words could be traumatic.

I have often heard people tell others not to let the words of others effect them, but that is not really a sensitive stance. I have personally been traumatized or negatively impacted simply by the words of others. I have never purposefully allowed this to be so. I would very much have liked to have let the words go in one ear and out the other. If only that is how the brain worked. Yes that car almost ran me off the road, but it didn't so my heart can stop pounding now. Just thinking these things does not make them so. It also doesn't work in less life threatening situations.

The next time a child, friend, or family member comes to you with a story that they keep telling and you don't understand why it is still crippling them, I have a challenge for you. Listen to how they describe their feelings about the situation. Before you tell them to just get over it or not to let others dictate their life going forward, empathize with them. It sounds like that situation really impacted you in ways I don't understand. What do you think could help alleviate its impact?

If you are the person who has been set back by words or situations others don't view as a "big deal" be understanding. Not only with the people in your life but also with yourself. Try to work through the situation, what are the thoughts associated with it? What are your feelings about the situation? Why was it so hard on you? Then begin the healing, not the "getting over it".

Respect your feelings they mean something.

Social Work Month Prize Pack Winner

And the winner is...... Roseanna


This past social work month I held a giveaway. I had plans to send out the prize pack to the winner shortly after the winner was announced. But life got in the way.
It was a big lesson for me that those who spend so much time giving to others can get lost in the shuffle at times. I have taken time to self care and recoup and have shipped out the prize pack.

This is the second annual gift giving I have done. I feel that Social Work Month is the perfect time to recognize other social workers and encourage their self care.

I asked Roseanna to share a few words that I could post for others. She had this to say: "So glad to win social work resources and swag ;). As a profession we often spend more money on work than treating ourselves. Thanks for taking time to recognize the heart we put in all we do <3"

How do you give back to others?
How do you take care of yourself?

Anger in children

Do you remember the old school adage that children

should be seen and not heard?

 

Well throw it out of your mind while parenting today.

 

 

The more we study about what children need the more we see how important it is to actually help children appropriately express themselves in healthy ways.

 

Anger in children often speaks to some trouble expressing the emotions that underline the more easy to express anger that they present.

 

The people over at Success Street are offering a free live teleconference (Wednesday at 8PM eastern) regarding helping children deal with anger. For more details on this and to register visit here.

 

You can also see more about books that help children deal with anger here.

Children's Books That Address Emotions

In my role as a play therapist I often search for different ways to introduce emotions into my sessions. Often children are pressured to "behave" regardless of how they are feeling. While this is a good skill to have (imagine acting on those thoughts you have about other drivers on the highway)  it  does not validate the child's right to have the feeling they are having. All of us have emotions.

How useful is it when someone tells you to "just cheer up" when you are feeling sad. What about when someone tells you to "calm down" when you are ANGRY? So you do understand how children feel after all.

I did a search, as I often do, to find good therapeutic books to bring into my sessions. I then looked up the price for the books and decided to look for another option. I decided to try my local library but the majority of the well established books out there were not in the libaray. Below are the books that I found at my local library.

Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes

Wemberly and her constant worries came up in the therapeutic book search I had done. I enjoyed using this with a child who is similar to Wemberly but doesn't identify with her yet. The child was able to see how Wemberly worked herself up but also how the comments from the adults in her life didn't really help how she was feeling. I enjoyed this book and would really recommend it to parents and therapists alike. I may break down and purchase it for my own library.
This is my own art work created while the child and I processed the book. I would not breach the child's confidentiality by sharing her work.

The Day Leo Said I Hate You! by Robie H. Harris

This book was a hidden treasure found at the library. I found while using this book in session that it explores so much more than just anger. Remorse, frustration, impatience, mischief, and love are all very much alive in this story about Leo and his mom. I love to use art as a form of reflection and expression. Again my work done parallel to a child in session.

All of the emotions that we identified in the session

Another find I was happy to find was....

The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out! by Troy Cummings

I have not yet been able to use this book in session but found that it covers insecurity in a very cool way. The spider, with the help of a friend, finds her bravery and adventrous side again by the end of the book.

I will share more books as I find them as I believe this is a great addition to a child's education.

Preventing suicide with talk?

I am sure everyone has known someone that has been down or clinically depressed in their lifetime. 

Many times you may suggest that person "talk to someone" or get those emotions out. 

But what about those that are suffering from thoughts of suicide or those who have actually tried to die by suicide?

A Danish study that followed participants for 20 years found that "those who received therapy were 27 percent less likely to attempt suicide again" after their first attempt. 

This is very good news because though many of us know that talking about what is troubling us 

can help, this is the first study of its kind to really look into how talk therapy (counseling) really

impacts the rate of further suicide attempts. 

If you know someone who is suicidal please don't just suggest that they go talk to someone. 

Offer yourself and offer this number 1-800-273-8255 or website for further help. 

I personally have known someone that attempted suicide, and have had someone close to me

die by suicide. 

Knowing now there is proof that therapy reduces the likelihood of another attempt makes me feel

much better about my chosen career and being able to help others, not just clients with this in the 

future. 

Tell me have you been impacted by depression or suicide?

Edited March 25, 2022, to correct outdated language in regard to suicide. 

What to do about stress

Stress is a normal part of life that we all expereince. 

Many studies and literature I have read tell us that stress is what makes use get up and get to work and do other things we MUST do. At times though this stress can be overwhelming leading to poor judgment and distress. There are many things that we can do to manage stress (exercise, freeze and not doing anything, overeat, sleep, talk to a friend or therapist). Today I want to introduce a healthy option you may not have tried. Deep breathing.

Yes I know you are breathing as we speak, but when we don't feel our best we are likely not breathing our best either. Read here for more tips and watch here for a 13 minute class that will lead you through it. 

Please let me know how this works for you and share what is stressing you out at the moment.