Training and Speaking Engagements

Dr. Diane Hovey is available to speak to professional groups including social workers, educators, therapists and other caregivers. She will personalize your event to meet your audience needs. Subjects and methods include but are not limited to:

Photo Therapy Cards™– Training for Mental Health Professionals

When:     1st Fridays & 3rd Wednesdays of each month – Pre-Registration Required
Where:     aHeARTT, 2905 Country Dr, Ste. 120, Little Canada, MN 55117
Time:     9:00 – 2:00
Cost:     $160 (includes workshop, When Words Are Not Enough: PhotoTherapy Cards™ and snacks)
CE hours:      5 with an option for 8 hours*
Registration:     Email diane@aheartt.com

This training is designed for professionals with education and training in counseling and related fields (marital and family therapy, psychologist, social worker, pastoral counselor, etc.)

Objectives of Course:

To prepare mental health professionals in the use of phototherapy cards as a tool for engaging clients in reflective thinking and expression of thoughts and feelings typically difficult to express.
To understand the theoretical framework governing the development and use of the phototherapy cards.

Objective for additional credit hours:

To apply the use of the phototherapy cards with a specific area of therapy (i.e. grief, couples in conflict, chronic illness, etc.)

Knowledge gained by participants:
In addition to meeting the above objectives, the participants will learn how to use the phototherapy cards to enhance practice skills and knowledge. The PhotoTherapy CardsTM help make it possible to:

express complex feelings
talk about guarded thoughts
think multi-dimensionally
get out of a rut or move beyond a plateau
recognize salient aspects of an issue not previously seen
give a tangible way to express feelings
unpack multi-level meanings that impact lives
interweave contradictory thoughts and feelings
make the chaos of emotions more comprehensible

The training will enhance the skills and knowledge of the therapist in guiding clients to reach deeper and richer levels of awareness. Therapists will be better equipped to assist their clients in weaving their newly uncovered awareness into the reality of their lived experience. Through this process clients develop a stronger sense of self allowing them to be more effective (caring and compassionate) in their intimate relationships and thereby building strengths and a renewed sense of direction or purpose in life.

PhotoTherapy Cards™ were developed by Dr. Hovey, a marriage and family therapist and a poetry therapist, based on eighteen years of work with individuals and families living with overwhelming life challenges and ongoing health conditions. The images reflect the thoughts and feelings used by these families to convey their experiences. The PhotoTherapy Cards™ were decisively selected for their multiple layers of symbolism and meanings. They have been used by several therapists to test their usefulness and applicability in different settings and have proven to be a powerful therapeutic tool.

Therapist Feedback:

These PhotoTherapy CardsTM have been session-savers! The results have been rewarding and remarkable. Each of the times I’ve used the cards it has lead to information I did not know and to the exploration of my clients’ real worries and concerns. ~Harriet Kohen, MA, MSW, LICSW
I liked everything about this workshop! Diane’s cards are interesting and integrative. The experience with them was instructive and powerful. I wanted more! ~Wendi Kaplan
This was the best workshop ever.
Extremely satisfying. I love the idea, the visual and the written stimulation.

*3 CEU optional hours -- participants, who complete the training, may elect to earn an additional three credit hours by using the phototherapy cards in practice with at least two different clients and writing a summary of their use including effectiveness and outcomes. The presenter will give feedback on the summary.

Using Creative Expression in Healing – Training for Professionals

Poetry is a powerful tool for healing when its use is understood and based on sound therapeutic principles. Its proven healing properties can lead to improved well being. Training includes the basic principles and guidelines of biblio/poetry therapy, how to select and use poetry with clients and the development of your skills in the use of this valuable tool.

Creative Expression for Professionals - A Workshop for Caregivers

Stress management & reflective practice – as a caring professional, you know this is the single, most important factor to control in providing your clients and patients with quality care; and in creating a joyful, productive work environment. In this workshop you'll

develop skills to re-vision life and increase effectiveness in your work and your personal life
learn to take actions that reflect your values and priorities
practice techniques that contribute to healing
create harmonious work environments
clarify your needs, build connections and understanding, strengthen relationships
bring a new sense energy and purpose to your work
regain compassion and empathy in your work