GENERATIONAL HEALING WORKSHOP MARCH 5TH
Azg/arm
2 March 05
New York, NY: The Armenian American Society for Studies on Stress &
Genocide (AASSSG) & Association for Disaster & Mass Trauma Studies
spearheaded by Dr. Kalayjian, is doing their third yearly workshop
for all Armenians effected directly and indirectly by the Ottoman
Turkish Genocide.
The workshop places emphasis on understanding and processing
traumatic memories and finding positive meaning in this legacy of
cultural dislocation, and loss of nationhood, property, and dignity.
We believe next generation Armenians will also benefit by
experiencing the compassion as well as the educational interaction.
Feelings of alienation, denial, anger, and rage are explored.
Attitudes toward the perpetrators and uncaring world was also
explored, in order to understand how one’s personal and collective
history affects one’s daily life, and how one may process these
feelings in an attempt to integrate or dilute the trauma into one’s
psyche.
Workshop facilitators will be Dr. Anie Kalayjian, Professor and
psychotherapist, and Ms. Laura Aversano, psycho-spiritual counselor
and energy medicine practitioner. Both facilitators are experienced
group leaders, who have worked in the field of Genocide and trauma
studies for over two decades.
Dr. Kalayjian’s Six-Step Bio-Psychosocial and Spiritual – Model was
utilized with some modification. This model is comprised of the
following six steps:
1. Assess levels of distress
2. Encourage discovery of memories & expression of feelings
3. Provide empathy and validation
4. Encourage discovery and expression of positive meaning
5. Provide didactic information
6. Provide breathing exercises & physical relief
Former Participants Comments:
The best way to bring the content of the workshop to life is to share
what participants wrote to us after the workshop:
“When I first signed up for the workshop, I wasn’t sure what I would
gain, if anything at all. I asked myself whether I really needed to
HEAL anything at all, and if it was even that important to me. I was
sincerely surprised after a couple of hours into the workshop after
hearing from others older and younger than me, and similar and
different than me. I was able to share feelings that I didn’t even
know I had, and in the process, both negative and positive feelings
emerged about my experiences as an Armenian American, my life, my
liberties, and my individualism. To put it more succinctly, and
rather bluntly, I received a great therapy session for only $25!” A
young woman, 25 years of age.
Another participant a middle aged male, stated: “I did not know what
to expect and was a little apprehensive since I did not want to
express myself at first. The round table setting and informal
atmosphere helped peel the deep layers of sadness and mourning
carried within us as spiritual beings in physical bodies.
It was the validation from non-Armenians, like Tara and Christine,
which made the event memorable, meaningful and a worthwhile
experience.
God Bless you.”
Other young women stated: “The Armenian psyche has for a long time
tried to make sense of its recent history. Many Armenians have
difficulties coping with themselves and thus are constantly working
or building because often they have difficulty explaining their
survival and existence. I believe sessions such as these help
discuss, and understand feelings that need periodic venting before
they manifest themselves in other ways. However Armenians need real
worth before they bite on the idea of healing such as Real Positive
(feeling proud) values as some of the ones mentioned, a spiritual
dimension from clergy, and of course the yoga exercises. Thus you
have taken care of the entire human being: Mind, Spirit, and Body.”
Another participant stated: “The workshop allowed me to discuss many
of the emotions that go unsaid among Armenian-Americans in a
comfortable and open setting. I was surprised by how many others had
the same thoughts and experienced the same tensions in growing up as
Armenians in America. The connection to their experiences allowed me
to discuss and debate issues critical to our culture without the
anxiety normally associated with these topics.
The workshop was quite exciting because it let me freely express the
impact of the genocide on me and my family. All attendees were
allowed to ruminate their thoughts on the genocide and on their
Armenian heritage. Although the genocide is oftentimes our secret
history, this workshop shouted from the roof-tops that we can
transcend the Turkish denial and transform our lives on our own
terms. The workshop was an experience of empowerment. The workshop
leaders were excellent and worked well as a team. I look forward to
attending the next workshop! Thanks so much.”
One of the facilitators, Tara stated: Generally I was in awe of the
openness and compassion of this group to share their feelings,
insights, perceptions and relationship with the political and
personal legacy of the Armenian Genocide. The group seemed ready to
embrace the issue and discover how each of them, individually and
collectively could use there experiences to heal themselves, their
family, their community and fellow country people.
Feelings expressed were: Anger at the Turks, paranoia, grief for the
lives lost including parents and grandparents, brutality of the
genocide and how this genocide has effected their own lives with
depression, mental disease, shame, embarrassment for their hatred of
Turks, and fear of it happening again. Expression of feeling lost and
disconnected from themselves, their present family and Armenian
culture because their family lineage was interrupted by the death of
significant family members. Many spoke of the feeling of ‘burden’ the
weight of this legacy of trauma and suffering upon them.
To participate, you must register for the workshop; kindly contact
Dr. Kalayjian, E-mail: [email protected]. or call Mr. Milian at 631
226 7979 x231 for information.
Armenian American Society for Studies on Stress & Genocide &
Association for Disaster & Mass Trauma Studies; 185 E. 85th Street,
Mezz #4 New York, NY 10028 Phone: 201 941-2266 Fax: 201 941-5110
E-mail: [email protected]