June is PTSD Awareness Month and VOICES Pathways to Resilience Programs continue to highlight unique strategies for calming the mind, eliciting comfort, and promoting healing. We know you will find this month’s workshops engaging and informative; and we invite you to register for one, or both, of these content-rich experiences.

PTSD and anxiety are at an all-time high due to the pandemic and social unrest. Both are among the top 10 diagnosed conditions among individuals in treatment at the World Trade Center Health Clinical Centers.

This month we will focus on innovative treatments for PTSD and anxiety disorders, including alternative treatments that will be discussed in both presentations related to the benefits of interacting with horses.

These virtual programs are free and open to all.
What We Know About Treatments For PTSD
Join us on June 10 for a workshop
What We Know About Treatment for PTSD and
the Promise of Equine Assisted Therapy

PTSD is a treatable disorder in which a person has difficulty recovering after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event such as a natural disaster, war, terrorist act, or serious accident. The condition can last months, or years, with triggers that can bring back memories of the trauma accompanied by intense emotional and physical reactions.

In this informative presentation, our long-time friend and highly respected researcher, Dr. Yuval Neria will speak about PTSD as a diagnosis and discuss commonly used treatments in terms of their effectiveness, including fascinating neuroimaging findings. Dr. Prudence Fisher will then describe the development of protocol by their team for group equine assisted therapy for PTSD and how it was evaluated in a large sample of veterans with PTSD.
Register Online
About the Panelists
Yuval Neria, Ph.D. is Professor of Clinical Medical Psychology at Columbia University, Departments of Psychiatry and Epidemiology, and Director of Trauma and PTSD at the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI). Together with Dr. Fisher, Dr. Neria and his lab have led the first ever development and testing of a treatment manual for Equine Assisted Therapy for PTSD and they recently completed a large open trial on this novel treatment with veterans with PTSD.
Prudence Fisher, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatric Social Work in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Research Scientist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Dr. Fisher is widely acknowledged as an expert in assessment issues and she has been instrumental in the development of  widely used diagnostic measures, including the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC).
Discovering Inner Strength

Join us June 17 for a workshop and demonstration
Discovering Inner Strength through the Wisdom of a Horse

Horses have unique insights to offer humans about resilience. Horses return to peace immediately after a threat passes, organize themselves based on strengths, and live entirely in the present moment. These skills can also promote inner strength in humans.

In this panel discussion moderated by Mary Fetchet, Executive Director of Voices Center for Resilience, four equine-assisted learning professionals will discuss how horse wisdom can promote well-being and resilience in individuals and communities.

The presentation includes video clips demonstrating a recent equine-assisted learning session featuring members of the 9/11 community, including Rich Roeille, former Firefighter with Merrick Fire Department, Eve Bucca, wife of Ronald Bucca and Frank Fetchet, father of Brad Fetchet.

More details are forthcoming about their adventure with their four-legged friends!
Register Online
About the Panelists
Carrie Brady is the executive director of Possibilities Farm, LLC in Ancramdale, NY where she partners with horses in innovative non-riding programs that promote personal growth, enhance wellness, and build community. Carrie currently serves as the Vice President of the Equine Experiential Education Association (E3A), on the faculty of The Horse Institute® offering leadership and corporate programs, and as a facilitator in the Horse Wisdom Project at New Canaan Mounted Troop.
Caroleigh Evarts, PATH Intl CTRI and Super Troopers Therapeutic Program Director, has been with New Canaan Mounted Troop, since 2013. Caroleigh has been passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for skill development and personal growth for all people. She was a founding board member of Arts for Healing, New Canaan, CT, a board member of the United Way, and founded and managed for 10 years the New Canaan chapter of TOPSoccer.
Debra G. Farber, MA, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of New Jersey and a National Certified Counselor. She is a member of the American Counseling Association and the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. As an Advanced Certified EAGALA member, Ms. Farber has been a mentor to other members as well as a presenter at the semiannual conference. Her counseling skills have been utilized to assist domestic violence victims.
Jody Jacob-McVey, PCC, CPCC is the founder and managing director of EquiSense Solutions LLC, a coaching company for experiential living and leaders. She is a certified Equine Behavior Specialist through the EAGALA and is certified by the Equine E3A in corporate learning and personal development. The last 5 years, Jody has been working with The Man O’ War Project, a research study investigating the efficacy of Equine Assisted Therapy interventions for military veterans with PTSD.

Thanks to the New Canaan Mounted Troop

for their partnership and support

From 9/11 to today, helping families and communities heal after tragedy

Voices Center for Resilience assists communities in preparing for and recovering from tragedy, and provides long-term support and resources that promote mental health care and wellness, for victims' families, responders and survivors.

More Information: www.VoicesCenter.org
(203) 966-3911 | Support@VoicesCenter.org
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