YAMT Survivor Expert Series: Anna Smith

“Trauma-informed Yoga Integration within Clinical Settings ”

Thursday, January 19, 11:30 - 1:00 PM EST | COST: $30

Presenter: Anna Marie Smith, RYT500, MSW, LCSWA

This webinar is open to clinical service providers.

Webinar Description: Many survivors of human trafficking and exploitation struggle with their relationship to their bodies through symptoms such as, but not limited to, self-harm, eating disorders, dissociation, self-hatred, bodily disturbances, flashbacks, chronic pain, estrangement from self and others. These symptoms are often byproducts of the harm done to us through trauma and abuse. These significant disturbances cause dysregulation in a person's cadence and rhythm of being. Safe and healthy re-connection to our bodies can provide an avenue for regaining self-embodiment, regulation, autonomy, reduction of flashbacks, and genuine kindness towards the whole self.

Trauma-informed yoga can be a support, alongside mental health treatment, to help survivors regain a safe and healthy connection to their bodies and overall sense of self.

Join Anna Marie Smith, LCSW and survivor, to learn how to support survivors through yoga and counseling.

Participants will gain an understanding of how:

• Trauma-informed yoga is supported by trauma theory, attachment, and knowledge of neuroscience.

• Gain practical applications that they can use in therapy sessions to help regulation improve clients' reorientation to their bodies and support survivors' healing and empowerment.

*If you purchase the webinar but can’t attend LIVE, it will be available for replay, concluding the presentation.

WHEN REGISTERING: Please include a valid email to send the Zoom link to!

About YAMT: A national survivor-led nonprofit organization, transforming the growth of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ survivors of domestic trafficking and those negatively impacted by the commercial sex industry by providing barrier-free access to survivor-centered support focused on mental health, education, and economic stability.

The proceeds of this training go back to Survivor Experts, leading these series to continue building upon economic empowerment pathways.

Questions?: Please Contact us at info@yamt.org

About the Presenter

Anna Marie Smith, MSW, LCSW, RYT500 has spent the majority of her career collaborating with leading trauma experts to develop innovative approaches to care for boys and men who’ve exited the life of sex trafficking.

As a result of co-founding nonprofit Restore One with her husband Chris and serving boys and men from 2012- 2019. While running Restore One, she was compelled by the lack of education pertaining to male sex trafficking and took the leap with Kartal and Chris to co-produce a full-length film entitled Boys Documentary, an educational tool concerning the sexual trafficking of boys and men.

As an anti-trafficking advocate, Anna enjoys using her knowledge and personal experience to strengthen and stand in freedom with others through speaking, writing, teaching, and consulting. Journeying through her own recovery process, she understands that healing is a painful yet beautiful path we must take to receive freedom.

Anna believes healing is possible for everyone, no matter age, gender, or situation - it is possible. As an extension of her trauma-care work, she enjoys serving survivors of trauma and abuse through counseling and trauma-informed yoga through her business, Hope Bound Yoga and Counseling LLC. Anna’s education includes a Master of Social Work from East Carolina University and 500 RYT in yoga therapeutics from the Wilmington Yoga Center. Aside from her work, Anna loves to adventure outdoors with her husband, Chris, and her young daughter, Asha.