ages 18+
Somatic Art Group for Trauma & Chronic Pain
Online course! Learn creative practices that encourage mindfulness, self-compassion, and a gentler relationship with pain.
Day/Time:
Every other Friday
1/15 │ 1/29 │ 2/12 │ 2/26 │ 3/12 │ 3/26
6 sessions
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Cost:
$270 (weekly and other installment plans available)
Other payment options
Location:
Virtual
Ages:
Adults 18+
Materials:
Required Materials
Journal or paper
Pencil
Eraser
Recommended Materials
Colored pencils
Markers
Crayons or Craypas
Watercolor
Collage materials
Class Details:
When you've lived with trauma or chronic pain, it can feel like your body is constantly asking for your attention. This group gently invites you to slow the pace, reconnect with yourself, and discover creative practices that support grounding, self-expression, and a greater sense of ease. Through art-making, mindfulness, breathwork, and sensory exploration, we'll create space to listen to the body's signals with curiosity and compassion, rather than judgment.
Grounded in Polyvagal Theory and creative arts therapies, this group explores the powerful connection between the nervous system, creativity, and emotional well-being. You will learn practical tools to increase body awareness, regulate stress, and build resilience through movement, breath, art, and connection with others. Together, we'll practice noticing cues of safety, reconnecting with the present moment, and discovering new ways to support the body and mind through life's ongoing challenges.
Whether you're navigating the effects of trauma, chronic illness, or chronic pain, this group offers a welcoming space to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and leave each session with creative practices you can continue using long after class ends.
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ART SKILLS
- drawing & painting
- collage & mixed media
- journaling
- creative play
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS
- pain management
- interoception
- neuroception
- frustration tolerance
- persistence
- grounding and mindfulness
- emotion regulation
- creative expression
- community building
Shawn Shannon-Missal, LCAT, specializes in understanding the deep connection between chronic illness and chronic pain, developmental trauma, and feeling safe in our bodies. She works with clients to navigate daily life in a healthy way, both physically and emotionally, and to manage expectations about limitations and frustrations.
She also works with those who are neurodiverse, helping them to work with their symptoms rather than against them.
Shawn attended PennWest Edinboro for her Master’s degree in Art Therapy and graduated in 2024. In addition to NY state licensure, she is a board-certified registered art therapist (ATR-BC). She has completed the Polyvagal Certificate Course at the Polyvagal Institute, spearheaded by Dr. Stephen Porges. Additionally, Shawn has completed a 6-month DBT-Linehan Board of Certification™ (DBT-LBC) program and has integrated this into her work with clients.
Read Shawn's blog on how art therapy helps with healing chronic medical conditions and pain.