Watercolor Painting for IFS-style Parts Communication

This workshop will begin with a brief grounding practice and a check in with any parts of ourselves that would like to communicate emotions and experiences through a watercolor painting. We'll paint intuitively together to a gentle playlist in a welcoming environment. No experience in painting is needed as the process is not about creating something “good", but rather a chance to drop out of cognitive processing and connect with parts of ourselves we may normally have difficulty accessing. We'll close with an integration circle, an opportunity to share what arose during the process, if desired. This is my own personal daily practice and I'm constantly surprised and moved by what emerges. I'm very excited to share this process with my community!

All materials are covered in the ticket cost. We will meet at the Art Space on the main floor of Taborspace on the west side of the building, which is accessible by the main entrance ramp on Belmont street.

Itinerary:
6:10-6:20: Please arrive during this time
6:20-6:40: Intros, brief overview of parts, grounding exercise, and parts check in
6:40-7:40: Watercolor painting
7:40-8:10: Integration circle
8:10-8:15: Goodbyes
8:15: The event ends promptly at this time to allow 15 minutes of cleanup

Please note, this is not intended to be a substitute for professional therapy, but rather a gentle space to explore emotions together through art and in community. By RSVPing, you as an attendee agree you are responsible for your personal health, safety, and well-being.

If you are new to IFS-style parts work, below is a list of some of my favorite resources if you'd like to learn more. However, you do not have to have prior knowledge of this modality to participate in this workshop.

•Tami Simon's podcast Insights at the Edge in an interview with Internal Family Systems founder Richard Schwartz: Greater than the Sum of Our Parts - Sounds True https://share.google/rclFKoNzDt9ZjK2L4

•Being Well with Rick and Forrest Hanson podcast with Internal Family Systems founder Richard Schwartz:
https://youtu.be/UyixuKVvuWI?si=aVTDP032DVUJ9NrT

•Journal article: A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Internal Family Systems-based Psychotherapeutic Intervention on Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Proof-of-Concept Study | The Journal of Rheumatology https://share.google/DXnZmfKZEo2dffDNb

Books:
By Richard Schwartz:
•You Are The One You've Been Waiting For
•No Bad Parts
By Susan McConnell:
•Somatic Internal Family Systems

Your facilitator Naomi Way is constantly and passionately self-educating in parts work (particularly in the style of Internal Family Systems), Polyvagal Theory (for nervous system regulation), Wheel of Consent practices (for consensual touch activities) meditation, mindfulness, and Buddhism (for living more presently and peacefully), and in all things related to trauma healing, psychology, connection, and consciousness expansion. Naomi is an experienced group facilitator for the Portland Psychedelic Society, and facilitates public and private platonic touch events for nervous system co-regulation. She holds a BS in Psychology and Arts & Letters. She lives with complex PTSD and chronic illness, including long covid since 2020, and sees illness as a deep, beautiful, and extraordinarily challenging spiritual path. She feels a deep calling to share transformative practices which have helped enormously on her own continuing healing journey. You can contact Naomi via Meetup message or via Instagram @msnaomiway where she posts her daily watercolor paintings created by invitation to any parts who wish to communicate.