THERAPISTS’ WORKSHOP

Cultivating Our Creativity as a Resource for Self-Care

A residential, experiential workshop exploring how connection and presence with our cli-ents is vital for our work as psychotherapists. This experiential workshop explores how we can keep our inner creativity active so we can avoid the pitfalls of negative routine patterns that keep us disconnected from ourselves and our clients. We will explore how to work from a place of spontaneity that is safe, by exploring and experiencing improvisation tech-niques from music and dance-movement therapy.

August 28th to September 2nd 2026

A five day, (five nights, Friday evening to lunchtime on Wednesday) residential

programme for therapists.

(25 hours CPD contact recognised and awarded by IACP)

Facilitated by: Dr Marko Punkanen and Michael Dillon.

Cost: €750 (Full Board included, 5 nights, all meals and refreshments. Menu choice with vegetarian option. All bedrooms individual ensuite). Workshop included in price.

To Book Email: admin@ballyvaloo.ie

or

Phone: 053 913 7160
Website: www.ballyvaloo.ie 

What to expect

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES OF THE EVENT

Theoretical Foundations of Creativity and Wellbeing

The event aims to provide participants with:

· An understanding of the Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions, including how positive emotional states expand momentary cognitive and behavioural reper-toires and contribute to the development of enduring psychological, cognitive, and social resources.

· An understanding of Engagement and Flow Theory, including the psychological condi-tions that support flow states (optimal balance between challenge and skill, focused attention, immediate feedback, reduced self-consciousness, and altered perception

of time) and their established relationship to wellbeing and therapeutic effective-ness.

· Knowledge of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and its application to therapist well-being and clinical practice, including the role of autonomy, competence, and related-ness as core psychological needs supporting professional functioning and resilience.

Creativity as a Mechanism for Therapist and Client Flourishing

· An understanding of everyday creativity as a pathway to psychological flourishing, recognising the role of routine creative engagement in supporting emotional regula-tion, adaptability, and personal and professional growth.

· Knowledge of creative self-efficacy and creativity-related belief systems, including their influence on engagement in creative processes and their relationship to life meaning, satisfaction, and wellbeing.

· An understanding of contemporary research examining mechanisms through which creativity supports wellbeing, including both intrapersonal processes (e.g., identity formation, emotional processing, cognitive flexibility) and interpersonal or contextual processes (e.g., relational attunement and social connection).

Embodiment, Self-Care, and Professional Development

· An understanding of embodied learning as a core component of psychotherapy skill development, including the roles of interoceptive awareness, autonomic nervous sys-tem cues, and embodied empathy in therapeutic attunement and relational pres-ence.

· Knowledge of evidence-informed approaches to therapist self-care, including princi-ples for developing and implementing individualised self-care protocols that support professional sustainability and therapeutic effectiveness.

Every day will have a mixture of:

1. Psychoeducation input.

2. Experiential practice through movement improvisation, drumming, body work, connection with nature and sharing.

3. Reflection on this through a variety of mindfulness exercises and journaling.

4. The venue and location of Ballyvaloo will provide therapists with an opportunity for integration, nurture, connection and rest.

(Places limited to 25)

Location: Ballyvaloo Retreat Centre, Blackwater, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford Y21 X392

Magnificently situated overlooking the Irish Sea, Ballyvaloo Centre is the ideal place to take time out from the stresses and pressures of modern living. The long beach frontage, rolling terrain, mature trees and farmland surroundings help to create a tranquil ambience for prayer, reflection and relaxation away from the incessant distractions of everyday life. The Centre is an ideal setting for Retreats – both scheduled and private, Rest and Relaxation Breaks, Conferences, Meetings, Seminars and Day or Weekend Courses. Above all, the Centre offers an oasis of peace from today’s all too busy world.

Marko Punkanen PhD., is a Finnish music therapist, dance/movement therapist, psychotherapist, psychotherapy trainer, certified sensorimotor psychotherapist and trainer. He has over 20 years’ experience in the treatment of severe traumatisation. His specialist area is in the treatment of complex and attachment trauma, the bodily symptoms of trauma (somatoform dissociation) and the use of the body in trauma treatment.

Michael Dillon MIACP, is the Director at Ballyvaloo Retreat Centre. He is a psychotherapist by training, specialising in Trauma work and is a certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist. In the past he has worked with the MEND programme (Domestic Violence Intervention Programme in the South East) for over 10 years, as a therapist with the HSE in Counselling in Primary Care (CIPC), the Self Harm Intervention Programme (SHIP) and as manager of The Ford Counselling Centre. He is particularly interested in the use of Mindfulness as a resource for wellness and spiritual wellbeing

Testimonials from previous Workshops on Journey to Presence

· “Very good rhythm to programme. Excellent process and timing. The leaders were aware of the group and our capacity to move to the next phase.

The centre is very spacious with lovely cosy corners for privacy which overlook gardens. The entire place is kept very clean, not to mention the gardens and access to the beautiful beach”

· “Workshop was superb. It was led very well by Michael and Marko, both a beautiful presence, capturing love and compassion which created a lovely safe space to explore for ourselves, what compassion looks like and to understand compassion fatigue more. Lots of lovely, gentle space for rest, reflection, self-care and love.”

· “The event was well executed with compassion and kindness in abundance. The breaks and time for rest and relaxation were well thought out and mindful of participants needs. The pace was judged well. The facilitators – Michael and Marko were very pre-sent with group members and created a safe atmosphere with care, empathy and ac-ceptance - in abundance.”

· “An exceptionally well run event. Personally, I would attend something like this if it were run on a 4 monthly basis.”

Disclaimer: While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on the IACP website event calendar, the IACP cannot accept any responsibility or liability for information provided by outside organisation. The views expressed in presentations made at this event are those of the event organiser / speaker and not, necessarily, of the IACP. Presentations at this event do not constitute an endorsement  of the IACP regarding organiser’s or speaker’s views, products or services.