Healing the Healer:

Transforming Secondary Traumatic Stress with Intentional Creativity™

Designed for organizations employing child welfare and other helping professionals. In this half or full-day experiential training, participants are led in a step-by-step Intentional Creativity process to prevent and support healing from STS and burnout. In a peaceful, nurturing environment, participants will paint, write, and practice mindfulness, focusing on positive, compassionate emotions to help heal and rejuvenate. The process works on cognitive, emotional and nervous system levels and supports the participant to honor the reasons they originally went into their profession. With renewed energy and passion, employee retention and the participants’ critical decision making skills and relationships with clients can thrive.

The training requires no prior painting experience and includes all painting supplies.  Participants leave the training with a painting, journal and personalized tools for self-care.

For this advanced training for child welfare professionals served by the UC Davis Extension’s Center for Human Services, the Public Child Welfare Training Academy (PCWTA) and Bay Area Academy (BAA), please contact those organizations to arrange trainings.  The PCWTA course description can be found here: The Academy: Healing the Healer 

For all others please contact me at [email protected] or 949-872-7200. 

“Secondary Trauma is an occupational hazard for child welfare workers who are exposed to survivors of traumatic events as part of their everyday work. Helping staff establish coping strategies can reduce staff burnout and turnover. Rachel Bavis’ “Healing The Healer” workshop offers child welfare social workers a therapeutic, interactive environment to address and develop such coping skills. As a deputy director for Children and Family Services, I believe Ms. Bavis has a unique approach- focusing on creativity and mindfulness to help staff develop tools to remain emotionally healthy. Her prior experience as an attorney working in the juvenile system gives her an empathic perspective in understanding the traumatic nature of the stressors in our work.  I highly recommend this training opportunity as many of our staff have attended and returned to work with a renewed enthusiasm and passion for their work. Ms. Bavis is an outstanding and dynamic facilitator and her workshop is not to be missed!” –Dr. Joanne Munro, Former Deputy Director, OC Children and Family Services

Painting your Inner Super Hero!

&

Painting Your You’est You!

Designed for youth and young adults, ages 11-21

In this half or full-day workshop, youth are led in a step-by-step process to help heal trauma on cognitive, emotional and nervous system levels.  In a nurturing environment, youth paint, write, and participate in mindfulness practices in a fun, engaging way.  The focus is on finding their unique voices and connecting to and expressing who they are with the unique gifts—or superpowers!—they have to offer the world.  Youth who have taken the workshop described it as relaxing, helpful, imaginative, creative and fun and helped them to relieve stress and connect to feelings of peace, love, protection, and hope.

The workshop requires no prior painting experience and includes all painting supplies.  The youth leave with a painting, journal, and the possibility for a deeper connection to themselves so they can bring their gifts into the world in a healthy way.

To arrange this youth/young adult workshop, please contact me at [email protected] or 949-872-7200.

“This was actually really a new experience.  I enjoyed myself.  This is an art class that will help you express yourself, for who you are.” –C.

Embracing Your Inner Muse: 

With Custom Tailored Themes! Births and Birthdays, Celebrations, Grief, Transformation.

Designed for individuals or groups who want to explore creativity in a nurturing, peaceful, fun environment and to have a deeper connection to inner wisdom.  In these two-hour to five-day workshops, participants are led in a step-by-step process combining painting, mindfulness practices, and writing.   The focus is on connecting to the inner guide or muse to help express feelings and listen to the inner voice.  The process allows participants to access their unique gifts and transform stories.  The workshop can be custom tailored with themes to address issues arising in the participants’ lives.

The workshop requires no prior painting experience and includes all painting supplies.  Participants leave the training with a painting, journal and ideas to spark creativity and joy in their lives.

Please contact me at [email protected] or 949-872-7200. 

“This is an excellent workshop for relaxation and awakening one’s creative spirit.  Fun and empowering!” –Wendy E., teacher, Riverside, CA

Renewing Staff Retreats: 

Sparking Creativity & Innovation

Designed for organizations.   In this one to two day experiential training, participants are led in a step-by-step process incorporating painting, mindfulness, and writing to provide a unique, shared experience. The focus of the workshop is on renewal, creativity, and visioning for the future.  By taking the time to foster unity and inspiration, the organization has the opportunity to flourish and further its mission while participants return to work with renewed energy, commitment, and focus.

The training requires no prior painting experience and includes all painting supplies.  Participants leave the training with a painting, journal and ideas for creativity to thrive at home and in the workplace.

Please contact me at [email protected] or 949-872-7200. 

“During our staff retreat, Rachel created a safe, soothing and nurturing space that invited creativity, connection, and growth.  I felt so held and taken care of and was able to tap into parts of myself I would not have been able to reach on my own.” –Rudi Price-Waldrip, Tribal Ground Staff Retreat Participant, Aptos, California

Collaborative Wonder Women:

With Intentional Creativity™ Coach and Teacher, Aroma Therapist and Nutritionist, Jennifer Bowers

We provide workshops in all the areas described above, adding components that include nutrition and aromatherapy to support the experience! 

The training requires no prior painting experience and includes all painting supplies.  Participants leave the training with a painting, journal and ideas for creativity to thrive at home and in the workplace.

Please contact me at [email protected] or 949-872-7200. 

“Even though I haven’t painted before and I can’t draw, Rachel and Jennifer created a safe space and provided the kind of gentle guidance that I needed to really enjoy the process of creating and expressing. The work they are passionate about facilitating allowed me to leave self-consciousness at the door and plunge into that kind of happy absorved concentration that kids have when they are playing. It felt really good to explore a new way of connecting with myself and getting out of my head. “ –Laia Pedreno, psychotherapist, Alameda, CA

Speaking Engagements:

About Healing the Healer & Youth Workshops

Through imagery and language, I share stories about the Intentional Creativity process and how it has the power to help heal trauma, stress, and compassion fatigue faced by professionals whose careers focus on helping others.  I also share how the IC process-combining painting, mindfulness, and writing in a fun, nurturing environment — can empower youth to access their unique voice and gifts to thrive in life.  

Please contact me at [email protected] or 949-872-7200.