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play as radical self-care
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"When we play, we are engaged in the purest expression of our humanity, the truest expression of our individuality. Is it any wonder that often the times we feel most alive, those that make up our best memories, are moments of play?"
- Stuart Brown, premier play researcher, from Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul
As a therapist, you’re regularly engaged in clients’ intense feelings, trauma, and anxiety. And in this day and age, it continues after the session; at home, in the media, on the street, we’re seeped in it these days. But who is taking care of the therapists? In this workshop, Happier Valley Comedy offers local mental health therapists an opportunity to come together in an affirming environment to take a break from the heaviness of life through the stress-reducing, connection-rich, and low-pressure fun practice of play!
Research supports the tremendous benefits of play for adults, like improved brain function, stress reduction, more positive moods, enhanced creativity, and stronger social connections. Not only is this workshop loads of fun, but it's good for you too!
Come play easy-to-learn improv games with Happier Valley Comedy's Head of Happiness Pam Victor and independently licensed therapist and improv student, Nichole Wofford in this workshop for beginners (and those with beginner's minds.) Pam and Nichole will gleefully and gently guide you through highly accessible improv games in a very supportive environment focused foremost on following the joy and ease. No experience or aptitude are needed to benefit from this fun-forward workshop. All exercises are voluntary and take place in a circle, small group, or pairs; participants are never “on stage.” Pam and Nichole are committed to making sure everyone along the introvert-extrovert spectrum feels comfy, successful, and has fun learning how to use improv to improve the spirit.
In the words of George Bernard Shaw, “We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Let's play more together to refill your energy and positivity tank, so you can feel buoyed to do the important work of supporting your clients and community.
(While we’re not pre-approved continuing education credit providers, we have worked with students who are therapists to successfully receive credit in the past. If you think this might apply to you, reach out to Pam.)
- Stuart Brown, premier play researcher, from Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul
As a therapist, you’re regularly engaged in clients’ intense feelings, trauma, and anxiety. And in this day and age, it continues after the session; at home, in the media, on the street, we’re seeped in it these days. But who is taking care of the therapists? In this workshop, Happier Valley Comedy offers local mental health therapists an opportunity to come together in an affirming environment to take a break from the heaviness of life through the stress-reducing, connection-rich, and low-pressure fun practice of play!
Research supports the tremendous benefits of play for adults, like improved brain function, stress reduction, more positive moods, enhanced creativity, and stronger social connections. Not only is this workshop loads of fun, but it's good for you too!
Come play easy-to-learn improv games with Happier Valley Comedy's Head of Happiness Pam Victor and independently licensed therapist and improv student, Nichole Wofford in this workshop for beginners (and those with beginner's minds.) Pam and Nichole will gleefully and gently guide you through highly accessible improv games in a very supportive environment focused foremost on following the joy and ease. No experience or aptitude are needed to benefit from this fun-forward workshop. All exercises are voluntary and take place in a circle, small group, or pairs; participants are never “on stage.” Pam and Nichole are committed to making sure everyone along the introvert-extrovert spectrum feels comfy, successful, and has fun learning how to use improv to improve the spirit.
In the words of George Bernard Shaw, “We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Let's play more together to refill your energy and positivity tank, so you can feel buoyed to do the important work of supporting your clients and community.
(While we’re not pre-approved continuing education credit providers, we have worked with students who are therapists to successfully receive credit in the past. If you think this might apply to you, reach out to Pam.)
about your teachers:
Pam Victor (she/her) is the Head of Happiness (founder/president) of Happier Valley Comedy. In addition to leading, teaching, performing, fundraising and more, she also brings the power of improvisation to the workplace in Happier Valley Comedy's professional development and workplace wellness programs. Pam is the author of the children's therapeutic fiction book "Baj and the Word Launcher: Space Age Aspergers Adventures in Communication." Along with improv greats TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi, Pam co-authored "Improvisation at the Speed of Life: The TJ and Dave Book." In 2019, Pam was a recipient of the New England Public Radio Arts & Humanities Award. She also is a TEDx speaker. Pam is a kind person, and she likes you already.
Originally from California, Nichole C. Wofford (she/her) is a licensed independent clinical social worker and licensed marriage family therapist, clinical supervisor and consultant, and emerging improviser at Happier Valley Comedy. Nichole has taken all of the foundational improv classes at HVC, along with an assortment of improv workshops. Nichole is currently practicing for her first upcoming stage performance with her group, Seriously?!? this summer, and is one of the co-facilitators of the Saturday morning BIPOC playdates. Nichole is also interested in ways that improv can IMPROV(E) the health and wellness of others, as fun and laughter do wonders for the nervous system. In her spare time, Nichole loves to travel, play Afro-Cuban drums, spend time with her partner, Megan, and walk in the woods with her dog, Sadie.
Small but Important Fine Print:
*Please note that once you make your purchase, your place in the class is NON-REFUNDABLE unless we have 48 hours notice before first class AND we can get someone to fill your spot.
*Students must be 18+ years. (In actual years, not maturity. ;-)
*Some improv exercises involve some standing, physical activity; however, we can accommodate all physical abilities. Please let email us to let us know how we can best fit your needs or if you have any questions about accommodations.
*Masks are not required at HVC, but they are always welcome. Click here for our COVID policy!
*Please note that once you make your purchase, your place in the class is NON-REFUNDABLE unless we have 48 hours notice before first class AND we can get someone to fill your spot.
*Students must be 18+ years. (In actual years, not maturity. ;-)
*Some improv exercises involve some standing, physical activity; however, we can accommodate all physical abilities. Please let email us to let us know how we can best fit your needs or if you have any questions about accommodations.
*Masks are not required at HVC, but they are always welcome. Click here for our COVID policy!
Appreciation from our students:
"I was really blown away by how profound the lessons of improv actually are. I assumed it was about trying to be fast and funny and witty. I learned that it's about really paying attention, accepting what others are doing and trying to help them succeed."
"Pam shines her refreshing light onto her participants and leads with honesty and openness conveying that she is well studied in mindfulness and in this happiness space but is also a student who joins participants in the journey and experiment too." |
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"Pam is a skilled improv teacher who brings depth and breadth to her workshops. She helps walk us through assumptions, misperceptions and judgment and helps us land in openness, insight, laughter and greater ‘ease fullness’ Highly recommend."
Dr. Rob Smith, DO, Director of Baystate Health’s Mindfulness Program
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
The Happier Valley Comedy School admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.
The Happier Valley Comedy School admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.
