The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has left many of us struggling with uncertainty, fear, and unexpected losses; we’ve lost loved ones, financial stability, social connections, and our daily routines that helped us manage difficult and challenging times. Many of us are also experiencing hopelessness and sadness regarding the ongoing violence in our communities; many of us are anxious about life and death issues as our country gets ready to end all shelter in place orders. How can we survive and thrive in the midst of so much chaos, fear and uncertainty? Give yourself permission to join your beloved community, as we silence the noise around us and return to our roots; digging deep within to identify and retrieve our innate source of hope, resilience and strength. Presenters will take participants on a journey that will address grief to new ways for engaging in self-compassion and holistic healing practices. 

June 23, 2020 3:00pm ET/ 2:00pm CT/ 12:00pm PT 
Part I of the Self-care & Healing During COVID19 webinar series, will walk participants through the dynamics of grief as we deal with loss and uncertainty, as we let go of the shame and guilt related to it. Through discussion and group exercises, participants will gain practical skills to help bring self-compassion into their daily lives. 

June 30, 2020 3:00pm ET/ 2:00pm CT/ 12:00pm PT 
Part II of the series will focus on the impact of trauma and will explore how to center hope, healing, and resilience for ourselves and our community. The presenters will introduce a holistic healing approach involving culture, spirituality, civic action and collective healing. 

July 7, 2020 3:00pm ET/ 2:00pm CT/ 12:00pm PT 
Part III of the series will bring our expert presenters from Part I and II together to discuss how to move forward during and after COVID-19. The panelist will focus on building effective and sustainable self-care practices, and will share tools for short-term and long-term healing. Each one will offer a unique perspective on the impact of trauma and strategies for restoring peace, joy, hope and healing in our lives and communities.

Carolina Bautista-Velez is a Certified Professional Coach, consultant, and mindfulness teacher with over 17 years of professional experience. She is the owner of CVelez Consulting and Metamorphosis-Coaching. Carolina’s work is rooted on social justice, cultural humility and anti-oppression framework. As a Certified Life Coach, Carolina offers a space to cultivate reflection, resilience, autonomy and strength, where her clients can focus on learning sustainable tools to navigate desires, societal conditioning, goals and difficulties. Carolina has been an advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence for many years providing direct services, creating programs for human trafficking survivors, and training organizations across the country on how to provide social justice and culturally informed services to survivors. Carolina holds a degree in clinical psychology with a specialization in social psychology. She is an immigrant, Latinx, social changer who believes in the power of individual and collective liberation.

Ghia Kelly
Ghia Kelly is a faith leader, visionary, and social justice advocate. A native of Miami, Florida, she has a passion for empowering individuals and helping them reach their maximum potential both naturally and spiritually. Ghia is the Founder & CEO of The Gift of Truth Inc., a faith-based organization and ministry that seeks to create opportunities and safe spaces for individuals to learn, heal, and grow. She is also a certified life coach, trainer and public speaker with expertise in several areas such as domestic and sexual violence, emotional health, racial equity, systems change, and spiritual identity and purpose. Ghia holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Management, a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work, and she is currently pursuing her doctorate in Transformational Leadership. Ghia is an ordained Elder and has dedicated her life to empowering women, advocating against injustice, and ministering to the whole person- body, soul, and spirit. Ghia resides in Tallahassee, Florida with her husband and three children.

Latoya Mcleod, LMSW 
Latoya Mcleod is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Queens New York. Latoya has been practicing in the field of social work for over 10 years, with her experience spanning from Child Welfare, Hospital Behavioral Health and Schools. Latoya is currently a High School Social Worker where she serves a member of the clinical crisis response team, provides individual and group therapy, facilitates staff, parent and student trainings and support groups. Latoya is the owner of her private therapy practice, Lmcleod Counseling where she specializes in the treatment of anxiety, mood disorders and major life stressors. Latoya utilizes a combination of cognitive behavioral and solution focused therapy as a means of healing and helping others live a healthy, fulfilling life. Latoya is a strong advocate for self-care. Latoya received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Hunter College, City University of New York, her Master of Social Worker at Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College and her Post-Grad Certificate in Advanced Assessment and Diagnosis at NYU.

Vanessa Durrant, MSW, LCSW-C, LCSW, RMT, RYT
Vanessa is a licensed psychotherapist, reiki master, yoga teacher, public speaker, graduate level adjunct professor, and owner of Kindred Tree Healing Center. She has extensive training in play therapy, and other expressive therapies like art, music, and sand-tray. She brings forth over a decade of expertise in the areas of child development, parenting, trauma, and attachment issues. Prior to opening Kindred Tree Healing Center, she worked at various non-profits as a therapist, and consider herself a child and anti-violence advocate.  She’s been in director level positions within organizations including operating a clinical counseling  and court advocacy program for child and adult survivors of violence and human trafficking.  She also enjoys speaking at conferences all over the nation, and providing supervision and consultation to organizations, and therapists regarding attachment, trauma, and expressive play/art therapies.