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Category: Expressive Arts

Bring the Elders Their Ice Cream

During the last six weeks of his life on this earth, I brought my Baba all the ice cream that he wanted. One night in mid-May during an important discussion with Baba, a man I grew to see as my father over the last decade, Joey (another member of my queer family of choice in recovery) brought home Dairy Queen Blizzards and sundaes. I saw Baba’s face light up as he ate this precious Blizzard from Dairy Queen as if it were sacred manna from heaven. Strawberry Banana manna to be specific. He polished it off and then threw it into the wastepaper basket by his reclining chair with dramatic flourish. Not just a Dairy Queen, a drama queen to boot!

June 30, 2025

Alicia, a white woman wearing a grey outfit with hair back and tattoos, is dancing during the "share your practice" closing ceremony at the Redefine Therapy Expressive Arts Retreat at The Villa Maria in 2025

We Are Held Screaming.

I couldn’t scream. Yet, there were those inside that wished they did. A little girl who wanted to scream But instead was still. Frozen with

May 6, 2025

Out From Hiding

(CONTENT WARNING: This contains personal recollections of childhood sexual abuse, fat shaming, and eating disorders.) A few years ago, I decided it was time for

November 25, 2024

As Is

Hey you. Yes you. I see you. It’s ok if you’re not ready to talk. I hope it’s ok for me to share a few

November 6, 2024

A Lullaby for Jason

I’ve written several pieces inspired by my friend Jason Fair on this blog. You can check out Merry Christmas, Jason, published just two weeks after

September 23, 2024

Imaginary Friends

When we are called imaginary, we reappear. When we are called real, we disappear. When no one arrives, we appear. When no one calls, a

August 8, 2024

Bless Our Tired Asses

This poem is inspired by a road sign we saw whilst on the Australia part of our pilgrimage: “Don’t trust your tired self.” Inspired by

May 23, 2024

I Will Rise

I Will Rise was performed at the closing ceremony of the Redefine Therapy Expressive Arts Retreat April 28th, 2024. Judy and Alicia worked together, in the moment, to bring movement and dance into Judy’s poem in a call and response collaboration.

May 14, 2024

Dr. Jamie wrapped in a lit, rainbow sparking cloth similitude to a cocoon

Succor

I am not your guruI am not your motherI am not your slaveI am not your lover I cannot be the friend you might be

May 9, 2024

Testimonials

What people are saying

"The training was absolutely wonderful; I have to say it is one of the best trainings I have had! I have already been enjoying putting EMDR to work in my community and I have begun to see some of the great benefits of this work. I cannot thank you enough for the truly exceptional training; it has been a life-changing gift for my work in this community. I hope to continue to take future trainings and learn from the great knowledge of Dr. Jamie and the Institute for Creative Mindfulness, I so greatly enjoy learning and connecting with this wise group of people."

"As an anti-racist political activist I move primarily in BIPOC spaces. As a therapist I move primarily in white spaces. This training is a model for other modalities, EFT, IFS, DBT, CBT, ACT, etc., to not only denounce racism but to take action in multiple ways."

"With the EMDR training scholarship discount I was able to help my therapy scholarship clients and even got to support Iranian therapists who are holding so much for their clients these days."

"During my EMDR training, Dr. Jamie and ICM underscored that everyone has an experience somewhere along the dissociative spectrum. Their inclusivity nurtured my plural identity, and I could be myself without fear of judgment, whispers, or laughter. Their profound acceptance and respect made me feel seen, valued, and appreciated as a professional."

"ICM was one of the most well organized and engaging training platforms I have utilized. It allowed me to obtain a basic foundation in EMDR Therapy and bring the modality to a population of clients that otherwise wouldn’t have access to."

"For the first time, I met trainers who teach EMDR Therapy while integrating embodiment, creative techniques, mindfulness meditations, and all on TeleHealth!! I had transforming experiences personally during my own EMDR processing and learned how to utilize the standard EMDR protocol. Now, I am using EMDR Therapy with Sandtray Therapy and reaching new goals in my business!
Thank you Jamie & ICM!"

"Thank you ICM for sharing the remarkable, life-changing gift of EMDR therapy! I can't emphasize enough how my learning through ICM (trainings, Jamie's webinars, videos, etc.), and its incredibly supportive community, has been a complete game changer for me both personally and professionally. Truly grateful, and as we often say in EMDR sessions, I'll "just go with that!"."

"The ability to learn EMDR virtually was truly a transformative process. Through ICM, I have developed needed clinical skills and gained a network of amazing, trauma-informed clinicians that are passionate about providing top-notch care. The combination of mindfulness techniques with the standard EMDR protocol has been a game changer in my practice, providing much needed healing for those in which I serve. Thank you, Dr. Marich and Staff!"

"Dr. Jamie Marich has designed an EMDR training that is nothing shy of AMAZING! As the Founder of the "only" Therapist of Color Collaborative in the State of Colorado, being trained by someone who could help digest what is a very scripted protocol, and make it more culturally relevant was imperative. She did so with ease, patience, AND a bang up team of EMDR Trainers!"

"The Institute for Creative Mindfulness' trainings have been pivotal in my career and my personal healing and growth path. EMDR therapy training has equipped me to be a competent trauma therapist - something that, in my opinion, is an ethical imperative for anyone working in the mental health field. The ICM consultants and practitioner community keeps me growing in my skills and knowledge, as well as supported by a vast and diverse community of professionals."

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Land Acknowledgment: We would like to acknowledge that the land on which the home offices of the Institute for Creative Mindfulness are located has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst Indigenous peoples, specifically people of the Erie Nation.

We honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to these territories on which we gather. We encourage each participant of our programs to increase their awareness of the historical and current realities of indigenous peoples in your local community.

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