Talk

MPS Art Therapy presents a talk with faculty member Joshua B. Brancheau, MPS, ATR-BC, LCAT, on leveraging Polyvagal Theory to guide art therapy interventions.

This lecture will introduce participants to Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory (PVT), and its application in art therapy. The autonomic nervous system will be established as the foundation of our adaptive responses to trauma and be expanded upon as a key component of PVT. Existing PVT models will be explored for their value as tools for psychoeducation with clients. The lecture will conclude with case materials that further illustrate how PVT can be utilized to guide interventions. 

Participants will be able to:

1. Identify the three primary states of autonomic regulation as outlined by Polyvagal Theory (PVT).
2. Describe one model illustrating polyvagal theory as a tool for client psychoeducation. 
3. Explain two methods of art therapy intervention based on a client’s primary autonomic state. 

Joshua B. Brancheau, ATR-BC, LCAT, is the clinical director for The Art Therapy Project, where he currently works with groups of adult trauma survivors. In previous roles, Joshua has worked with adults in substance use recovery, acute psychiatric settings, and within the criminal justice system. He has also worked with adolescents in an after-school setting, and with youth experiencing severe emotional disturbances to support them developing a new language for their emotions. He teaches the Physiology of Addiction and Trauma for the graduate art therapy program at the School of Visual Arts and has presented his work at the American Art Therapy Association’s National Conference, as well as the Virginia Art Therapy Association’s Ethics Symposium. 

The MPS Art Therapy Department at the School of Visual Arts is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0054.

1.5 CE hours available for LCATs.

SVA wants to ensure persons with disabilities have access to this event. If you are a person with a disability who requires accommodations to access or participate in this event, please reach out to the department at arttherapy@sva.edu or to SVA Disability Resources disabilityresources@sva.edu at least seven business days prior to the event.