Stories and Rhymes for Difficult Times: Cultivating Our Emotional Heritage

Description

Under normal circumstances, our emotions are helpful informants that tell us what we value, when we are in danger and what we need to do. When the stress around us intensifies however, our emotional system can become a source of struggle and suffering. The emotional climate in which we are living has created just such an atmosphere. With over 90% of survey respondents agreeing that the United States is currently experiencing a mental health crisis, the need to identify ways to maintain our emotional well-being has seldom been greater. These coping strategies are often restricted to the therapy room or so shrouded in psychological jargon that their usefulness becomes diluted. This presentation will describe time tested and effective coping methods in language that make the concepts both understandable and engaging. Marrying art with psychology, the presentation will use the language of poetry and storytelling to address ways to manage such emotional challenges as depression, anxiety, anger and grief.