Workshops & Trainings

Upcoming group:

Queer Somatic & Art Peer Support Group

When and where:

A backyard in Burbank, Los Angeles, Saturday October 9th at 11-1pm. Sign up by e-mailing me at samsilvermantherapy@gmail.com for exact location.

How much does it cost?

This group is free! There is a suggested donation of $25 - all proceeds will go to a trans charity (taking suggestions but leaning towards https://nqttcn.com/en/mental-health-fund/). Please do NOT feel pressure to donate if you cannot afford it!

Is this ongoing?

For now this is a one time group. The goal is to make this a monthly group if there is enough interest.

Is this a therapy group?

No, this is a peer support group- me, a queer trans person, supporting queer/trans peers.

How long is it?

Two hours

Is this for teens or adults?

This group is for youth and adults ages 15 years to 100 years old (and older).

What does a somatic and art peer support group entail?

There will be a variety of guided movement practices meant to help move pent up energy/release stress and get in touch with feelings, including some interactive improv-style practices, some slowing down practices, some practices in pairs, and some higher energy practices. There will also be art activities - lightly guided drawing activities. There will also be some brief moments of debunking “supposed tos” about the nervous system. As well as some collaborative reflecting on experiences of these activities. We’ll have some time to brainstorm concrete ways to channel distress in our bodies into actions. We’ll end by check in about what we need and trying to take one small step to meet those needs.

Are there any covid precautions in place?

Yes, I will be asking everyone to wear a high quality KN95 or N95 mask and to not come if they have recently come in contact with someone sick. Rapid tests encouraged but not required (extra rapid tests provided on site). The group will be outdoors. Additional masks will be provided (there will not be small size masks so if you need a smaller size mask please bring your own).

How accessible is this group?

This group will not have an ASL interpreter and will be conducted in English. There are no stairs or steps required to enter the backyard but the path is narrow so a standard size wheelchair may fit but a larger or motorized wheelchair would likely not fit. Additionally, there is one step up to access the restroom inside. There will be picnic blankets provided. Anyone coming is encouraged to bring a yoga mat or blanket to lay on or a chair to sit on if they wish. Throughout the group, I’ll check in about disability/physical pain or limitations based needs and provide alternatives or change up activities as requested.

Workshops

Sam has led professional workshops on a number of subjects including: trans advocacy, queer and trans relationships, identity exploration, LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion, healing from trauma, autistic burnout recovery, getting, and inclusive recovery approaches. They recently co-led a virtual workshop with a HAES- informed dietician called “Building a Better Relationship with Food and Your Body”. They led a workshop called “Coping in a Pandemic” for Take Control Initiative and a “Boundaries: How to Know What Yours Are and Why It Matters” virtually at The Center for Healthy Sex. Their most recent workshop was “Getting Unstuck Without Pushing Through: a neurodivergent guide to coping with challenging tasks”.

Trainings

Sam offers LGBTQ+ and trans affirming trainings. They have been providing trainings for groups, schools, treatment centers, and businesses for the past 10 years. The specifics would be tailored to the person or group. Some topics they are competent to provide trainings on include: boundaries, LGBTQ+ workplace trainings, psychoedcuation on working with adhd (for yourself/with clients), psychoeducation on and tools for working with clients trying to get sober, and many more things (see bio for more on special areas of knowledge/focus), and hoot make your workplace more trans or neurodivergent affirming.

Trainings fee:

$100-500 depending on the size of the organization, the organization’s budget, and the length of the talk.