Improv for Therapists – with Margot Escott, LCSW
WHAT: Improv for Therapists
WHERE: TBA
WHEN: Due to COVID-19 classes are currently online. Please email or call if you would be interested in joining our group.
REGISTER: Call (239) 434-6558
COST: TBA
INSTRUCTOR: Margot Escott, LCSW
CEU CREDIT: TBA
REFERENCES TO THE EFFICACY OF THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS OF IMPROVISATIONAL THEATRE: CLICK FOR REFERENCES
This exciting “alternative” therapy is gaining recognition with therapists nationally and internationally. Join Margot Escott, LCSW for this fun workshop to learn to use the therapeutic benefits of improv with your clients.
Internationally psychotherapists are recognizing the therapeutic benefits of applying the skills from Improv Comedy to clients’ personal challenges. Improv Therapy offers an approach to healing and personal growth that is at once fun and therapeutic. Research shows that adults who play are more likely to lead authentic lives, rich with growth and creativity. Improv teaches clients to be able to apply the tools of improv to enhance aspects of everyday life, from personal relationships, family, career, to school.
Improv Comedy is about being in the “here and now”, learning to listen and gain self-confidence. The first basic principle of Improvisation is the “yes and…” philosophy. The director/therapist creates a safe environment that affirms and adds, rather than negates participants. Another basic concept is that there is no “wrong way” to improvise. This technique, that there are “no mistakes”, enables clients to try new behaviors in an accepting environment. This workshop is experiential and you are encouraged to participate and have fun!
At the end of this workshop participants will understand the connection between counseling and improvisational comedy and how to apply improv to clinical practice.
Learn to:
*Participate in five improvisational exercises.
*Understand the parallels of psychotherapy with Improv Games.
*Describe the basic philosophy of Improv Comedy.
*Learn to allow ourselves and our clients to make mistakes without feeling shame.
*Be able to describe the importance of playing, just for the sake of playing.
Margot Escott incorporates over 30 years of experience as a counselor, speaker, and teacher in her wellness classes that are designed to use humor, play and improv to achieve well being. In addition to teaching and performing improv professionally, Margot has presented workshops and seminars on “Therapeutic Value of Humor and Play” on a national level and was a featured speaker at the Chicago “Yes, and” conference on Improvisation and Mental Health.
CEU CREDIT: BAP 307 Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida
Why does Improv assist in the therapeutic process? The basic rules of improv, such as unconditional positive regard for other members and that there is no “right or wrong” way to play Improv, create a safe and trusting environment for our patients. The exercises we teach are geared toward relinquishing a need to know everything before it happens, letting go of the idea that being in-the-moment is terrifying and learning to connect with people by having no expectations of them whatsoever. Although there is little scientific research demonstrating the efficacy of improvisation as therapy, anecdotal evidence suggests people are benefiting from these techniques with issues like social anxiety. This free two-hour workshop offers you an opportunity to explore how Improv Comedy might be helpful to you and your clients. Contact Margot for more information and upcoming class dates at (239) 434-6558 or margotescott@mac.com