"It was SE that helped me learn to hold these larger complexities and both stay true to myself within the larger society as well as connect with people through their experiences of not feeling like they fit in or not feeling seen for who they are. This community has given me, and I know so many of you, that same felt sense of connection in ways that many of us had not experienced before."
Sarah McAfee recently joined SEI as Director of Strategic Communications, a new position for SEI. Sarah is an experienced professional communicator with skills in strategic communications planning, innovative communication campaigns, storytelling, and thought leadership. She has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Arizona State University.
Most recently, she was director of communications for the Center for Health Progress, which is focused on eliminating barriers to healthcare. As director of strategic communications for SEI Sarah will provide leadership and direction for all communications and marketing strategies of SEI. Welcome Sarah!
“Growing up in Alaska taught me to appreciate nature, solitude, and adventure. After grad school I moved to Colorado, which has much of the same natural beauty and opportunity for exploration that I love, but fewer run-ins with bears while walking my dog. My career and heart are grounded in nonprofit leadership for health and health equity, and I believe deeply in the power of storytelling and communication to drive change for healing and justice. As mom to a kindergartener, my hobbies are largely LEGO-related for the time being, but I’m told that someday I’ll have time again for travel, art, baking, and reading books with actual chapters.”
LEARN: READ, LISTEN, WATCH, PARTICIPATE
SEI EXCLUSIVE WEBINARS
The Frequent Bidirectional Relationship Between Trauma and Functional Neurological Disorders (FND):
Everything That Therapists and Medical Professionals Should Know
Our learning and knowledge library has a wealth of valuable, relevant webinars from leaders in the SE field. All webinars in the membership portal are free for members to stream. To take advantage of this learning library, join SEI.
The Biology of Trauma & How Somatic Experiencing Helps Holistic Life Navigation
with Dr. Abi Blakeslee, SEP
“Understanding that trauma is a biology, not a mindset, is what makes somatic therapy so unique and beautiful. Traditional talk therapies tend to focus on the events and identifying how we think and feel about them, but they don't ask us where we feel the events.
Trauma is not the event itself, it's the response to the event. I welcome Dr. Abi Blakeslee to my podcast to share her wisdom and insight around the biology of trauma and how that physical state of threat transforms into vitality through the practices of Somatic Experiencing.”
Does Somatic Experiencing Work? SE Practices for Healing
A TEDTalk with Monica LeSage, SEP
“Monica LeSage has used Somatic Experiencing as a core element of her recovery, and in the last 6 years has radically tranformed her life. Previously depressed, in constant pain, and unable to work, she was taught somatic experiencing practices by her counselor Dr. Nancy Bement, and now she works full-time, in less pain than ever…
In her talk she describes how Somatic Experiencing works, how she uses it to manage her daily stress, anxiety, and chronic pain, and shares a demonstration of how she used it to help a stranger when she witnessed a traumatic injury this year.”
The town hall format offers an additional live opportunity to ask questions and share perspectives about the direction, strategic priorities, and current projects underway at SE International. After opening updates and comments from representatives of the SE International Board of Directors, the remainder of the Town Hall session will be devoted to your questions and comments.
Hidden Mental Health Professionals: Educators and Teachers
February 11, 2022
12:00 PM
Educators are tasked with the responsibility of teaching – children and adults – but time and circumstances have revealed that in many ways these professionals are responsible for much more. They have been tasked with guiding students and shaping their personalities, helping them endure through stress, and providing early identification of mental health issues. Often, teachers are the first people to identify certain behavioral and mental health concerns and connect students and families to additional school and community services, including mental health providers or social workers. Further, teachers are even sought out as the first source of support for students, acting as an unofficial counselor. In many ways, the current COVID-19 pandemic has compounded these issues, with many teachers reporting higher rates of burnout due to increased stress placed on them, as well as higher levels of student and family distress.
While teachers take on these responsibilities, some experts say that traditional training for educators does not adequately prepare them for these additional duties.
In this month's conversation we will explore this impact on teachers, considering ways mental health professionals can support educators, methods for peers to support each other, and provide access to tools to minimize and avoid burnout.
Find us – and engage with us – on our social media channels or by email. We’d love to connect.
RESOLVING TRAUMA. FOR GOOD.
Somatic Experiencing International is dedicated to supporting trauma resolution and resilience through culturally responsive professional training and education, research, and outreach around the globe.
