(HS Ferentz 096434 2025) Creative and Expressive Approaches to Treating Depression

Course overview

For clients who've long struggled with major depression, looking at their diagnosis through the lens of hypo-arousal provides a framework for understanding and treating their cognitive, emotional, somatic, and behavioral symptoms. Adding a psychosocial lens helps them process intrapsychic, interpersonal, and environmental triggers. In the face of these triggers, it's important to help clients understand the current research around the adverse, long-term effects of "medical marijuana" when used to treat depression---and to offer them a host of creative, non-pharmacological tools so they can get effective relief for their debilitating symptoms. In this workshop, we'll explore the myriad approaches that can help clients feel more empowered to manage their affective disorders and decrease the negative thoughts, feelings, and uncomfortable somatic experiences that can overwhelm them. You'll learn: Simple interventions to add to your clinical toolbox for treating major depression that positively connect body and mind Cognitive reframing through writing and art prompts, visualization, guided imagery solution-focused strategies, parts work, and self-talk Somatic resourcing techniques that offer clients gentle body-based tools that can bring quick relief for symptoms of depression How to feel more empowered about the management and treatment of affective disorders