DC Area OD Practitioners Community of Practice

Topic: Neurology for OD Practitioners

Session Description:  This talk will explain how the brain and emotion are connected.   Over the past two decades there have been tremendous advances in knowledge of neurology and brain science and now there are ways to harness that knowledge to become better OD practitioners.  The brain creates emotion; the body also creates emotion.  This talk will explain what is going on in both the body and the brain, how they are linked, and how to shift individuals and groups to positive mindset and energy.  How do nerves send information, what are the processing differences between the brain hemispheres, why is so much communication non-verbal?  These are some of the questions that will be addressed.

Several experiential exercises will be taught and debriefed.  Many are easy to pick up immediately and used individually and with groups. These will include a fast way to bring individuals and groups into focus and how to shift from sad to happy.   If there is time, Barb will teach a brief social presencing theater (Theory U) exercise to help attendees understand how strongly the body affects the mind.  We will debrief each exercise and talk about what is happening in the brain while the body does the exercise. 

Time will be left for questions at the end.

Presenter:  Barb Siegel is a visual practitioner helping clients see what is said. Her combined experience in the education field (neurocognition, arts integration, special education), as a registered Architect, and award-winning fine artist contribute to her ability to hear the structure of conversations and translate them into images that make meaning for the viewer. She is on the Professional Advisory Board of Brainy Camps of Children’s National Medical Center and has a certificate in Arts Integration. 

Her interest in neurocognition includes questions about how the brain works as well as how we think.  Barb has presented workshops on visual thinking to a variety of audiences including special education teachers, adults, children, and visual practitioners.

CoP Leader:  Mark Sachs, ma.sachs@verizon.net.

Cancellation policy:  Registrants should contact Mark if they need to cancel.

Additional notes: A $5.00 per person contribution is requested to help pay for rental of the room.