Tools for Self-Care
November 11, 2015
This free experiential workshop offered practical techniques to relieve stress, increase self-awareness, and enhance mental resilience in daily life, outside a clinical setting.
Experts in therapeutic writing, yoga, painting, and the ancient Chinese practice of qigong explored how these healing arts can improve physical and emotional well-being. Through guided activities, participants experienced this firsthand, and were provided with resources and opportunities to extend learning and gain more experience with these practices.
Presenters
Chris D’Adamo, PhD, is a nutritional research scientist and director of research at the University of Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine. His research interests include the synergistic effects of healthy lifestyle practices and genetics on human health, as well as outcomes evaluations of multi-modality, whole-practice integrative health interventions and programs. He received his PhD in epidemiology from the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Afsaneh Faridi, MA, BFA, graduated Cum Laude from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1981, and a Master of Arts in Clothing & Textiles in 1983. She studied Applied Healing Art/Acupuncture at Maryland University of Integrative Health in Laurel, Maryland, 2008-2009. She received a Certificate of Digital Illustration with Honors from CCBC, the Community College of Baltimore County, Maryland in 2011. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and American Association for Women in Community Colleges. She is a founder and teacher of “Afsaneh Integrative Healing Art.” She has had exhibitions and taught workshops and classes for Jubilee Arts, Wisdom Well, Medstar Franklin Square Medical Center, Maryland University of Integrative Health, Community College of Baltimore County, the Institute for Integrative Health, and Pikesville Senior center.
Nancy McPartland, LCSW-c, MS, E-RYT, is a licensed clinical social worker, a yoga Instructor, and a Reiki Master with more than 20 years of experience working with individuals and families. In addition to earning master’s degrees in social work and in counseling, she has multiple advanced certifications in the following areas: yoga instruction, energy medicine, meditation, family therapy, group therapy, solution oriented therapy, filial therapy, and play therapy.
Michelle Pearce, PhD, is a Clinical Health Psychologist at the University of Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine. Her practice focuses on utilizing the connection between mind, body, and spirit to improve health and obtain optimal well-being. She has helped clients reduce stress, better cope with illness, improve sleep, exercise, lose weight, reduce compulsive eating, improve diabetes management, better manage anxiety, situational depression and life adjustments, and improve overall quality of life.
Mary Pinkard has expertise in multiple wellness domains. She has studied under Qigong expert Dr. Kevin Chen, achieved certification in Feng Shui and pursued training in yoga and tai chi. Mary teaches local Qigong and group fitness classes and has worked on wellness projects with GBMC, St. Joe’s Hospital, the Institute for Integrative Health and Walter Reed Hospital. She has a degree in Music Education and a graduate degree in Early Childhood Education, and the integration of music and wellness education informs her practice and teaching.
