You are invited to join Cohasset SEPAC for an

interactive panel of experts regarding

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

Tuesday, APRIL 2, 7PM-8:30PM

PAUL PRATT LIBRARY

Light refreshments will be available. The meeting free and open to the public.
Educators encouraged.
ART THERAPY – Susan Evans, Skills for Living
The field of Art Therapy combines both verbal and nonverbal communication to allow for self-expression, insight and personal growth. There are two types. One relies on making art to feel better, or art as therapy. The other helps with making personal changes, or art in therapy. Art Therapy can be used throughout the life span and for many life challenges in a variety of settings.
Susan Evans, MA, A.T.R.-BC has been in the field of Art Therapy for over 17 years. Susan graduated from Hahnemann University  (now Drexel University) in Philadelphia with a Masters degree in Creative Arts in Therapy. She started her career in inpatient and partial hospital psychiatric care at The Horsham Clinic in Pennsylvania working with children, teens, and adults.  Susan currently works at Skills For Living in Norwell MA, facilitating social groups as well as Individual Art Therapy sessions for children and teens with social cognitive challenges. In addition, Susan works per diem at Westwood Lodge Hospital In Westwood MA.
MUSIC THERAPY – Eve Montague, South Shore Conservatory
This presentation will focus on the benefits of music therapy and art therapy when working with school-aged children. Music therapy can be part of an IEP; music therapy can work collaboratively with other therapies (OT, PT, SLP); music therapy can enhance learning and teach/reinforce academic, social, communication, emotional/behavioral, and music skills.
Eve Montague is a board certified music therapist with over 27 years working with a wide range of people and abilities.  She is the Director of Creative Arts Therapies at South Shore Conservatory.  Eve has a Bachelor degree in Music Education, an Equivalency in Music Therapy, and a Master’s in Management.  She has extensive experience in program development, staff training, and supervision.  Eve presents to local school districts and social service agencies, at regional events, and at the national level.  She conducts music therapy assessments for IEPs and is skilled at developing goals and objectives.  Eve is currently the President of the New England Region of the American Music Therapy Association.  She is a trained facilitator in the Remo healthRhythms® drumming protocol, a Music Together teacher, and the music director for St. Joseph the Worker Church.
YOGA THERAPY- Meg Durkins,
South Shore Conservatory & Skills for Living
Breathing and visual techniques help children learn to calm down and focus. When practiced regularly, yoga helps children become more aware of their thoughts and feelings or emotional intelligence. Yoga can be very helpful for children with ADD,  ADHD and Autism. It allows children to use their bodies to help their minds. Doing poses with an across the body motion helps the brain to focus. Also learning balancing postures teaches children how to have concentration and focus that then they can translate to the classroom.  When children discover a peaceful place inside themselves it is easier to receive more knowledge.  There is increasing research supporting the use of yoga in the schools.
Meg Durkins, MS, RCYT, has completed the Radiant Child Certification and the Finding Inner Peace Children’s Yoga Certification in 2008.  She completed a 200 hour yoga training program recognized by the Yoga Alliance with Daniel Orlansky at Yoga of Energy Flow in 2009.  In 2011, she completed the Brain Gym 170 course about brain and movement integration for children with special needs and Craig Hanauer’s Every Kid’s Yoga: Teaching Yoga to Children with Special Needs.  Meg has also trained with Marsha Wenig from YogaKids and taken YogaEd trainings.  She has continued coursework including Child Development, Abnormal Psychology and Anatomy & Physiology.  In 2012, she became a licensed Yoga 4 Classroom Trainer, offering workshops for elementary school teachers.  These workshop give the teachers a toolkit to integrate yoga into their classroom curriculum for movement breaks, transitions, stress reduction, awakening creativity, and brain integration.  She is currently enrolled at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.  In May of 2013, Meg will be offering her services as a health coach for families and children.   www.yogamagic4kids.com and www.yoga4classrooms.com

 

Diane Herth & Helane Childs
Co-Chair Cohasset Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)

“Fostering Knowledge, Understanding and Communications between

Parents, Medical Professionals, School and Community.”