Workshop to reflect on the '˜Wisdom of Oz'

A renowned psychologist and great-granddaughter of Wizard of Oz author L Frank Baum will visit Carrick next month.
Dr Gita Morena.  INCT 10-720-CONDr Gita Morena.  INCT 10-720-CON
Dr Gita Morena. INCT 10-720-CON

San Diego native Dr Gita Morena will be leading a unique two-day workshop and evening seminar on the ‘Wisdom of Oz’ in Belfast.

An author, international seminar leader and certified sandplay therapist, Dr Morena is a teaching member of the International Society for Sandplay Therapy and programme coordinator for the professional certificate programme in Sandplay Studies at the University of California.

During her visit, the US academic will be staying at the Carrick base of Art Therapy Works.

The practice at Collin Heights is run by Jean Gascoigne, a fellow art and sandplay therapist.

“I met [Dr Morena] 15 years ago when she was doing workshops in Omagh; we’ve kept in touch ever since,” said Jean.

An emerging therapy, sandplay offers a way for people to express traumatic events in their lives.

There are hopes of facilitating some local seminars during Dr Morena’s stay, Jean added.

Meanwhile, the Belfast workshops will offer a way to explore ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ as a metaphor for personal growth, spiritual transformation, and the emergence of the feminine.

Titled ‘The Journey Home - Follow the Yellow Brick Road’, they will be held at Edgehill Theological College Belfast, on April 23 and 24.

The evening seminar, ‘Travelling Through Oz: Understanding Symbolism and Imagery’, will be hosted by Queen’s School of Education on Monday, April 25.

For more details or to secure places visit; art-therapy-works.com or contact Jean Gascoigne on 07966 434499.

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