Women’s Therapeutic Empowerment Self-Defense Training: an Integrated approach toward Healing and Violence Prevention
Stone House Associates is delighted to announce a new program being offered by psychologist Dr. Christine DiBlasio, Ph.D., PLC in conjunction with the Safety Team, Inc.
This program is FREE for participants and is sponsored by the Vermont Center for Crime Victims’ Services. This class consists of individual and small group (4 members, 2 senior instructors) therapeutic sessions. Enrollment is open during this entire time period, but spots are limited. Women over the age of 18 who have experienced interpersonal physical or sexual violence may be eligible.
The Safety Team, of which Dr. DiBlasio is a founding member, offers a continuum of specialized therapeutic services to women who are recovering from the trauma of sexual assault and other violence. These services promote somatic reprocessing and healing while also enhancing victims’ feelings of safety, personal power, and community connection. Please note that the current project offers up to 3 individual sessions (3 hours) and up to 3 small group sessions per participant (5 hours), free of charge.
Benefits to Victims: It is important to note that The Safety Team’s approach is unique from other victim services. We understand the pivotal role that somatic reprocessing plays in the healing process, particularly in regard to the trauma caused by interpersonal violence. Extensive research in the field of trauma recovery affirms not only the mind-body connection, but the importance of integrating movement as part of treatment (Drs. Van der Kolk, Levine, and others). From our own work with victims, The Safety Team has seen this in action; women gain a sense of confidence and control, learn that their bodies have power, and rediscover a feeling of personal safety and freedom. At all levels of our programming, we incorporate physical movement, as one’s sense of agency, one’s empowerment, is also a bodily experience. Our programs reaffirm to women that they have the right to take up space, are deserving of respect, and have more emotional and physical power than they realize.
For more information, please contact Christine DiBlasio, Ph.D., PLC at 654-7607 ext 2 or email christine@thesafetyteam.org.