AIN Course Descriptions

Integrating Brain, Body and Heart Intelligence- 2 quarter units or 20 CECs

This course introduces participants to developmental neurobiology across the life span through an integrated framework of theory and research, personal exploration, and multi-modal (skills-based) practices. Participants will learn techniques for cultivating relational and environmental factors that maximize brain plasticity and facilitate optimal conditions for development, healing and growth.

taught by Tim Burns, full bio

Neurobiological Roots and Applications of Experiential Action Methods – 2 quarter units or 20 CECs

This course will provide a toolbox of action and expressive arts techniques and a strength-based relational model for experiential work with a diversity of individuals and groups. Theory will draw from interpersonal neurobiology, attachment, social baseline theory, classical psychodrama, mindfulness and somatics. Students will practice skills that enlist brain plasticity, promote embodied self-awareness, attachment, empathy, (co)regulation, emotional and social intelligence.

taught by Kate Cook, full bio

Fostering New Neural Pathways For Creativity, Spontaneity and Play: Ingredients For Change and Well-being- 2 quarter units or 20 CECs

This workshop will provide a framework rooted in the evolutionary psycho-neuro-biological function of interactive play, rhythm and movement and strength-based methods for restoring and fostering spontaneity. Theoretical material will be offered through the lens of interpersonal neurobiology and will draw from pioneers in the areas of emotion, creativity, play and mindfulness. Participants will explore their own relationship to play and learn to use experiential action methods in combination with sandtray, rhythm and movement, improvisation, art, reflective sitting-writing-walking.

taught by Kate Cook, full bio

Mindfulness-Based Emotional Processing (MBEP): Activating and Supporting Emotional Processing in Therapy and Counseling Through Felt-Sense Awareness of the Body’s Affective Experience – 2 quarter units or 20 CEC contact hours

This course will provide a practical, useful method (MBEP) for initiating and promoting essential emotional processing with clients. MBEP is a mindful, body-centered approach to activating intrinsic emotional processing. Participants will learn and practice how to use mindful and compassionate Felt Sense Attention to process somatic affective experience. This course will present the essential psychological, relational, and neurobiological components of MBEP and will prepare participants to use MBEP in their work.

taught by Robert Weisz, full bio

Neurobiology in Action through the Elements of Creative Expression: The Fusion of Brain-Science, Rhythm and Myth – 2 quarter units or 20 CEC contact hours

Participants will experience and build on the processes of change made possible both neurobiologically and interpersonally primarily through rhythm, music and movement within a group context. They will acquire specific techniques for working with diverse populations and age groups to: reduce conflict, cultivate empathy and social intelligence, reveal underlying myths and co-create new narratives, and build group cohesion and interpersonal connections.

The Brain In Motion: How Movement Improves Brain Integration and Facilitates Change – 2 quarter units or 20 CEC contact hours
This course will provide participants with an understanding of how bodily movement, including play and rhythmic activity, relates to the organization of the so-called “higher” or learning brain, the most plastic area of the human central nervous system. An in-depth review of key areas of the brain known to change through therapeutic intervention will be experientially grounded through exploration of various forms of movement that facilitate neurobiological change, with special emphasis on play and playful movement.

Moving Toward Wholeness: The Intrinsic Wisdom of Body/Mind/Spirit – 2 quarter units or 20 CEC contact hours

This workshop will offer participants an in-depth introduction to the work of Stanislav Grof, MD, a leading pioneer in the field of Transpersonal Psychology through the lens of interpersonal neurobiology including Grof’s ‘cartography of consciousness’ which will integrate the concepts of attachment, embodiment, neuroplasticity, mindfulness and neural integration. This class will include an experiential component of Grof’s Holotropic Breathwork and integrative techniques using art, writing, and group/dyad sharing.

taught by Diane Haug, full bio

Integrating and Blending Art Therapy and Somatics – 2 quarter units or 20 CEC contact hours

In this course, participants will deepen their understanding of how experience shapes embodied, adaptive strategies that emerge through personality development and early relationships. Participants will develop skill with the mindful use of expressive arts activities, reflective writing, and somatics activities developed to address attachment and developmental trauma.