South Africa

    Exploring Culturally Contextualized Dissociative Parts Through Expressive Arts

    Join us for an unforgettable multi-day event from April 26 to May 6, 2025, where clinicians will immerse themselves in five days of advanced workshops. With ample time built in for relaxation, adventure, and community building, participants will be treated to a wonderfully unique and soul-nurturing experience. Enjoy your time in the stunning South African wilderness at Nyosi Game Reserve, located in Port Elizabeth.

    Participants must sign up for the entire event. We only have room for therapists who sign up for the event (unfortunately, no spaces for partners, family members or friends). Please read all the important details below and I hope to see you there! Email with any questions at [email protected]. 

    Here’s what’s included in the price:
    • 5 days of theoretical and practical content (CEs pending NBCC approval)
    • All needed training materials
    • 10 nights lodging at Nyosi Wildlife Reserve (accommodation includes staying in either a 2 person luxury cabin or a multi-person villa--roommates will be sorted after registration is complete)
    • Transportation to and from the airport (if you arrive and depart during the provided time windows on April 26 and May 6, 2025)
    • Breakfasts and lunch and snacks on training days
    • Welcoming dinner with African tasting menu  - (beverages at participants own account) 
    • Dinners on 6 nights  - 2 courses either in day centre or deli
    • Farewell bush dinner with drive
    • Bush picnic/bush valley session – extra security/rangers needed for this
    • ‘Elephant themed’ game drive
    • Stargazing / night drive
    • African beaded artwork demonstration

    Here’s what you need to cover on your own:
    • Any meals not referenced above
    • Your flights
    • Any activities you do outside of those listed above on the days of breaks from workshops
    • Any expenses for traveling off site (you are welcome to relax on property even on non-workshop days)
    • Miscellaneous expenses
    • Possible African drumbeat demonstration for drumming, face-painting etc on opening evening
    • Yoga and bodywork sessions
    • Saturday braai night
    • Extra accommodation - earlier and later check ins
    • Wine/gin tasting
    • Fynbos or valley walk
    • Another bush dinner option
    • Sunset bubbles in bush game drive
    • Cheetah tracking and telemetry game drive
    • Secret sunrise
    • Weekend (into tours) excursions and breakfast and lunches on these 2 days

    Location details: 
    Gqeberha is the South African city formerly known as Port Elizabeth. Our event will occur at Nyosi Wildlife Reserve outside of the city. For details on the facility, go to https://nyosireserve.com. 

    Registration information: 
    The cost of the event is $3200. At registration, $800 is due to hold your spot. After the deposit, three additional payments of $800 (totaling $2400) will be collected every two months. After the deposit, you are committing to paying the rest of the balance. Due to the background expenses related to planning this event, no refunds are available. Participants can transfer their spot to another clinician, but that occurs at their own initiation. Unfortunately, participants who encounter flight delays can not be offered a refund or discounted registration. 

    Workshop overview (led by Marshall Lyles and Tanya Defferary):
    "Exploring Culturally Contextualized Dissociative Parts Through Expressive Arts" is a 5-day immersive workshop designed for therapists, counselors, and mental health professionals who wish to deepen their understanding and application of contextual (and other intergenerational) therapy(ies) in the realms of trauma, dissociation, and parts work.

    This workshop delves into the intricate relationship between culture and dissociative parts, offering participants a unique opportunity to explore how cultural contexts shape and influence the experiences of trauma and dissociation. Through the therapeutic modalities of expressive arts—specifically, sandtray, art and poetry—participants will learn to create safe, symbolic spaces for clients to explore and honor dissociative parts within their cultural framework.

    Participants will gain practical skills in applying parts work with a culturally informed lens, utilizing expressive arts to facilitate understanding and healing. This workshop also emphasizes the importance of considering the cultural and familial contexts of clients, fostering a therapeutic environment that respects and honors legacy and cultural diversity.

    Whether you’re new to parts theories or looking to refine your approach, this workshop offers a comprehensive exploration of these modalities within the context of trauma work, providing you with the tools and insights needed to support your clients on their healing journey.

    Workshop Objectives:

    Participants will be able to…
    1. Overview the theory of contextual therapy and other intergenerational theories:
      • Discuss a comprehensive understanding of contextual therapy and other intergenerational theories
      • Describe how the frameworks of intergenerational clinical theories address the impact of family legacies, relational ethics, and multigenerational patterns
      • Apply intergenerational theories’ concepts to the therapeutic setting through the use of case studies and live demonstrations
    2. Deepen understanding of cultural contexts:
      • Identify how cultural backgrounds influence the formation and expression of dissociative parts
      • Differentiate whether an altered state of consciousness is experienced by the client as an unwanted trauma symptom or a spiritual expression
      • Discuss how cultural nuances around dissociatively held parts impact therapeutic relationship
    3. Integrate contextual therapy into trauma work:
      • Describe how to apply contextual therapy principles to trauma treatment, focusing on the influence of familial and cultural contexts in the healing process
      • Explain the tenets of attachment theory relevant to culturally contextualized trauma treatment
      • Contrast intergenerational family therapy theories as they relate to trauma healing
    4. Describe altered states of consciousness, including dissociation:
      • Compare and contrast traumatic and non-traumatic dissociation 
      • Describe complex trauma and its relationship to dissociation
      • Explain and critique the history of ethical guidelines relevant to working with dissociation in therapeutic settings
      • Design a framework to sensitively navigate the complexities of working with dissociative clients
    5. Explore dissociation and different types of parts therapies:
      • Formulate a comprehensive understanding of dissociation and the theory behind parts therapy
      • Identify and work with dissociative parts in a culturally sensitive manner
      • Discuss the implications of attachment rhythms on the development of altered states of consciousness
    6. Utilize expressive arts for healing:
      • Apply art and poetry as therapeutic tools to facilitate self-expression and explore dissociative parts
      • Explain the possible integration of dissociative parts within a culturally-sensitive context
    7. Apply sandtray therapy for trauma and dissociation work:
      • Apply sandtray therapy to the creation of a safe, symbolic space for clients to explore trauma, dissociation, and their cultural contexts
      • Demonstrate how to use sandtray therapy to safely work with the spontaneous emergence of dissociatively held parts
    8. Develop skills for culturally-sensitive parts work:
      • Apply parts work within the framework of cultural and contextual factors
      • Identify expressive art-based methods where clients can be empowered to reconnect with dissociative parts at their own choice and pace​
    Registration