Creative Expression as a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Tool

Presented by Helena Hillinga Haas, MA, LMHC, ATR-BC, Art Therapist for Seattle Children’s Hospital, Training Consultant for Art with Heart; and Lacie Braun, MA, LMHC, Trauma Therapist, Training and Curricula Consultant for Art with Heart
Sponsored by Art with Heart

Watch the Recording

Learn the benefits of creative expression as a tool for building social emotional learning (SEL) skills in K-12 children.

There is a lack of SEL interventions that are easily integrated into the multi-tiered system of supports, particularly those that meet the needs of those who are eligible for Tier 2 and 3 emotional supports. And yet, children continue to face trauma and adversity and come to school unable to focus on academics because their emotional needs are largely unmet. Creative expression is a low-cost and low-barrier intervention that helps children name and manage their emotions, develop strategies for coping with adversity, and build resilience.

In this edWebinar, art therapist Helena Hillinga Haas and trauma therapist Lacie Braun combine theory and hands-on experience to share how to engage children in creative expression as well as how to respond to their art in a way that builds trust and connection with them and their emotions. Viewers of the session will take away:

• An understanding of how and why creative expression supports SEL skill developments in children
• Ideas for building comfort using various art materials and methods with the children you serve
• A hands-on creative expression activity to apply immediately to help children name and manage their emotions

All K-12 educators, administrators, SEL program leaders, counselors, psychologists, ESL specialists, and after-school support staff are invited to watch this recorded session to learn about this highly effective SEL intervention.

About the Presenters
Helena Hillinga Haas, MA, LMHC, ATR-BC is an art therapist who works part time for Seattle Children’s Hospital and is also a training consultant for Art with Heart. Helena received her master’s degree from The George Washington University. She has worked with the elderly, youth at risk, mentally ill patients, and youth facing life-threatening illnesses and complex health issues. Helena is the daughter of immigrants and has traveled around the globe. With her twins, Helena enjoys building things with cardboard boxes and telling one-liner jokes.

Lacie Braun, MA, LMHC is a psychotherapist who helps develop and facilitate trainings, research and curricula at Art with Heart. In her private practice she works with adults suffering from complex trauma, including childhood abuse, intergenerational trauma, and structural dissociation. Lacie received her master’s degree from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology in Seattle, WA. She loves the sounds of ocean waves, children laughing, and nearly every form of music.

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Art with Heart’s purpose is to bring the healing power of creative expression to kids facing trauma or adversity. They do this with their therapeutic activity books for kids and companion curricula (print and online) for adults supporting kids facing adversity.