Mental Health Education - Sabrina Santa Clara

In Every Situation, Knowledge Is Power

When we have information, we can make wiser choices about how to live our lives in a sane and healthy manner. In our relationships, careers and passions, we can show up as the best version of ourselves.

Most of us spend years in school cognitively learning subjects like math and English. But, we receive little, if any, direct education on social and emotional skills like how to successfully navigate relationships with others or with ourselves. We rarely learn how to manage internal reactions when dealing with someone difficult, or how to communicate in engaging ways, so we don’t become someone else’s “someone difficult.” Instead, we pick up coping mechanisms from the adults in our lives. Unfortunately, our parents and other adults typically have had even less social intelligence training than we did.

Even clinicians with years of mental health training and education sometimes struggle to manage emotions, resolve conflict and effectively serve clients. Regardless of career or experience, we all have wounding and old lessons that leave us with ways of being and relating that ultimately do not serve us.

Thankfully, you can learn new ways to effectively navigate challenges, wherever they arise.

Mental Health Education, Workshops, Events And Speaking Engagements

Educating others is a large focus of my clinical practice and has been throughout the duration of my career. Thanks to my prior work as Operations Manager, Massage Therapist, Entrepreneur, Human Resources Director, Yoga Teacher, Meditation Instructor and Psychotherapist/Trainer, I am equipped to offer education and insight in a wide variety of settings.

I am an engaging educator. As a somatic (body-integrative) psychotherapist and expressive and creative arts therapist, I create dynamic educational experiences that are highly experiential. I believe that active participation and adaptable training helps people learn.

Whether you’re a corporate leader, a dedicated mental or medical health provider, a professional educator or a passionate member of your community, I’m committed to helping you (or your audience) develop the skills you need to thrive.

Read on to learn more about some of my specific offerings.

Here are a few things others have said about working with me.

Community Workshops, Groups and Events

I am a strong believer in giving back to the community. I sometimes provide workshops on topics such as:

I also offer ongoing groups in community and corporate settings, which combine education and coaching. Groups I have designed cover topics such as:

Dating beyond the childbearing years
Chill out, don’t freak out
Finding calm in the storm
Anger management
Communication skills
Conflict resolution training
Choosing your destiny

I have also designed specialized groups for businesses, nonprofit and for-profit organizations and both formal and informal associations.

If you would like a skilled and engaging counselor and educator to speak to your group, contact me. I am happy to offer training and education on a wide range of topics.

Guest Lecturer For Colleges, Universities And Other Educational Institutions

I am an expert on:

I have served as adjunct faculty in Naropa University’s Transpersonal Psychology Department, where I taught my course on the Fundamentals of Psychotherapeutic Touch.

I have also been a guest lecturer at Colorado State University in Denver, where I discussed the ethics, indications and contraindications of touch in therapy.

And, at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, I guest lecture on Internal Family Systems and Spirituality.

I am passionate about educating new and seasoned clinicians, especially on psychotherapeutic touch and spirituality. If you would like an engaging academic presenter, contact me here or with the phone number below.

Mental Health Clinician Trainings And Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Fundamentals of Psychotherapeutic Touch

Many mental health organizations have no-touch policies due to fear of litigation. Although this hesitance is understandable, making therapeutic choices based on fear is unethical and does a disservice to our clients. Furthermore, most graduate programs do a poor job of educating future therapists about the healing role of touch in psychotherapy.

To fill this gap, I am proud to offer a unique, experiential and didactic training on the fundamentals of Psychotherapeutic Touch. Topics include the ethics of touch in psychotherapy, the history and physiology of touch, psychotherapeutic touch indications and contraindications, clinical documentation, multicultural issues related to therapeutic touch and therapist exploration of their personal relationship to touch.

The training can be taken as a stand alone 3-hour ethics CEU course, or the full 20-hour workshop. To be added to the waiting list, please send an email, call me, head to my Facebook or sign up to receive updates.

To learn more about Psychotherapeutic Touch, read my article, “Clinical Validation and Application of Touch as a Psychotherapeutic Intervention in Public Mental Health Settings.”

For even more extensive information, see the psychotherapeutic touch and professional publications pages.

Mental Health Education And Training For Medical Health Providers

Assessing for Psychological Trauma During Initial Intake

Many medical providers are uncomfortable addressing patients’ emotional and psychological states. Untreated trauma can create somatization (physical symptoms rooted in psychological states), which can be detrimental to patient recovery. In this 45-60 minute in-service seminar, medical staff will learn how to quickly evaluate for psychological trauma and learn some quick skills for helping patients to down-regulate an overactive and traumatized nervous system.

How Medical Somatic Psychotherapy Can Assist Patient Recovery

Medical Somatic Psychotherapy is body-centered therapy that is focused on psychosomatic symptoms, injury, chronic injury, chronic illness, chronic pain and other limitations in physical functioning. It is also useful for patients with medical trauma and those who are have difficulty with medical compliance.

Medical Somatic Psychotherapists are cross-trained in Body Psychotherapy and Massage Therapy and provide hands-on interventions. In this in-service seminar, medical providers will learn about the theory and practical application of Medical Somatic Psychotherapy and how it can significantly increase patient recovery.

If you are a medical health provider who is interested in mental health education and training, contact me.

Corporate Speaking, Consultation And Training

I was an Human Resources Director and Corporate Trainer for many years. I have an extensive background in working with both professionals and lay personnel. Because my background is in both Corporate Culture and Holistic Psychology, my trainings are all aimed at bridging the gap between the personal and the professional. We are more successful in any area of life when we can bring our Whole Self to the table. It is only when we are fully present and grounded that we can effectively communicate and manage priorities. Some examples of trainings I’ve offered are:

Effective communication
Mindfulness at Work
Finding calm in the storm

Trainings can be one-time events or ongoing events when my schedule allows. I also offer management consultation on topics such as:

Employee motivation
Company culture
Conflict resolution

Contact me to learn more about corporate presentations and speaking.

Expand Your Knowledge And Skillset

If you are looking to hire a motivational speaker, educational speaker or professional speaker, I invite you to call me at (303) 955-8945. You can ask me any questions about the education, workshops and speaking engagements I can offer. I am located in Henderson, NV and Las Vegas, NV.

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