The Richmond Conference | Day Two

Presented by Varleisha D. Lyons, Ph.D, OTD, OTR/L

Live Streaming December 9, 2025

$244.00

6 Hours  |   Pre-approved for CEU’s

Categories: , ,

Description

LIVE STREAM: December 8 – 10, 2025 from  8:30am – 4:00pm (Vancouver, BC) Please adjust your start time according to your specific time zone. 

ON-DEMAND: Recorded footage & course content (certificate, videos, quiz) will be available until January 16, 2025. Please allow 3 – 10 business days for footage to be processed. Extensions cannot be granted under any circumstances.

December 9, 2025  |  Day Two

Healing Through Spirit: Integrating Indigenous Healing Practices in Education and Mental Health

Presented by Varleisha D. Lyons, Ph.D, OTD, OTR/L

This workshop offers educators a transformative opportunity to explore the intersection of trauma and spirituality within Indigenous communities, focusing on the impact of intergenerational trauma and how cultural wisdom can support resilience and well-being. By examining both traditional and contemporary healing practices, participants will deepen their understanding of how Indigenous spirituality, storytelling, and community-centered approaches can foster healing, restore balance, and strengthen the individual and collective health of students and families.

Indigenous communities have long faced the repercussions of colonization, forced assimilation, and systemic violence. These traumas have been passed down through generations, affecting the mental, emotional, and social well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Yet, alongside these challenges, Indigenous cultures possess profound spiritual traditions and healing practices that have endured. These practices remain a vital source of identity, resilience, and recovery, offering pathways to healing for those impacted by trauma.

This workshop is designed to empower educators and other professionals working in or with Indigenous communities. Participants will learn culturally grounded approaches to support healing in educational settings, incorporating Indigenous spiritual traditions, cultural practices, and storytelling to enhance student well-being and academic success. The workshop will also provide practical tools for integrating these healing methods into classroom teaching, school activities, and community-based programs.

Through engaging hands-on activities and thoughtful discussion, participants will gain the knowledge and skills to create healing environments that acknowledge and address the wounds of the past while fostering hope, empowerment, and community revitalization.

  • Understand the Impact of Intergenerational Trauma: Explore the historical and systemic factors that contribute to trauma in Indigenous communities and how these experiences continue to influence the well-being of students and their families.
  • Spirituality as a Path to Healing: Examine the role of Indigenous spiritual traditions, ceremonies, and cultural practices in promoting resilience and mental health within educational and community settings.
  • Integrating Cultural Practices into Education and Mental Health: Learn how to incorporate Indigenous wisdom, spirituality, and trauma.

Education and Clinical Professionals: K–12 Classroom Teachers, School Counsellors/Psychologists, Learning Assistance/ Resource Teachers, School Administrators, School Paraprofessionals including Special Education Assistants, Classroom Assistants and Childcare Workers. All other professionals who support students including but not limited to: Nurses, Social Workers, Psychologists, Clinical Counsellors, Family Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Addiction Counsellors, Youth Workers, Mental Health Workers, Probation Officers, and Early Childhood Educators.

Varleisha D. Lyons Ph.D, OTD, OTR/L is a renowned occupational therapist, author, and speaker who is deeply passionate about promoting culturally intelligent and spiritually centered mental health care. As a woman of African American and Native American heritage, with ancestral ties to the Haliwa-Saponi tribe through her grandmother, Dr. Lyons is dedicated to integrating Indigenous spiritual practices into modern therapeutic frameworks.

Her work is rooted in a commitment to honoring diverse traditions and creating holistic approaches that address the mind, body, and spirit. She draws inspiration from practices such as storytelling, nature-based rituals, and ancestral healing, advocating for their inclusion in contemporary mental health systems.

Dr. Lyons is a tireless advocate for mental health parity and equity, particularly for underserved communities of Indigenous and African descent. Her mission is to bridge traditional healing practices with modern therapeutic methods, fostering understanding and respect for cultural identity and spiritual connection.

As a highly sought-after speaker and author, Dr. Lyons empowers audiences worldwide to embrace diversity, advocate for systemic change, and celebrate the intersection of heritage and healing in occupational therapy and beyond.

More information: www.drvgibbs.com

RegistrationEarly bird FeeRegular Fee
Individual 1 Day Enrollment$244.00N/A
Individual 2 Day Enrollment$484.00N/A
Individual 3 Day Enrollment$664.00N/A

All fees are in Canadian dollars ($CAD) and per person.

Group rates and student discounts are available. Please contact webinars@jackhirose.com for more information.

Fees are per person, seat sharing is not allowed. Please respect this policy, failure to comply will result in termination of access without a refund. For group rates please contact webinars@jackhirose.com

  • Canadian Psychological Association
    The Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Social Workers (NLASW) accept CPA-approved continuing education credits

Related products