CIRCUS ARTS THERAPY​® Training
Level 1

The Level 1 training is designed for professionals and para-professionals interested in incorporating circus arts into their work as a tool to help children, teens, adults, families and groups. This training can also assist those working in the Social Circus realm and is designed to help anyone leading groups, both therapy groups and typical-population classes.

COURSE CURRICULUM

Circus Arts Therapy®: Introduction
  • What is Circus Arts Therapy®?
  • Goals of Circus Arts Therapy® and Application of Treatment Techniques.
  • What is in the Circus Arts Therapy® room: an introduction to aerial and ground equipment
  • Who can benefit from Circus Arts Therapy®?
  • Fitness benefits of using Chi Kung
  • Benefits of Brain and body balancing
  • Intro to the learning modalitites (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) and how to develop individualized treatment plans
  • Case studies, including practical review of videos
Basic Aerial Training
  • Introduction to aerial equipment, including a basic review of safety and spotting techniques, rigging, warming up and cooling down
  • Therapeutic application of aerial equipment for physical health benefits:
    • strengthening, range of motion, brain balancing for bilateral coordination, proper body mechanics
  • Therapeutic application of aerial equipment for mental health benefits:
    • focusing and maintaining attention, confronting fears, self-esteem building
  • Therapeutic application of aerial equipment for social skill development:
    • trust, communication, conflict resolution, and teamwork
  • Skill progressions and classroom management skills
The Application of Aerial Work
  • The specific differences between working with neurotypical versus neurodiverse students in the air
  • How to create and modify skill progression when working with neurotypical versus neurodiverse populations
  • Language and specific skills that should be used when working with neurotypical versus neurodiverse populations
  • A review of safety and spotting techniques, rigging, warming up and cooling down
  • Lessons on how to spot and teach tricks on the Trapeze, Hammock/Silks, and Spanish Web, as taught in the Aerial Circus Training and Safety Manual
Ground Training Introduction
  • Introduction to ground equipment, including basic review of safety and spotting techniques
  • Therapeutic application of ground equipment for physical health benefits:
    • strengthening, range of motion, brain balancing for bilateral coordination
  • Therapeutic application of ground equipment for mental health benefits:
    • focusing and maintaining attention, confronting fears, self-esteem building
  • Therapeutic application of ground equipment for social skill development:
    • trust, communication, conflict resolution, teamwork
  • Skill progressions and classroom management skills
Circus Arts Therapy®: Foundation
  • Methodology
  • Circus Arts Therapy® record keeping
  • How to conduct sessions, groups, summer camps and classes
    • focusing on social skills such as trust, communication, leadership, problem solving, empathy, conflict resolution, self-expression, and teamwork
  • Creating an engaging take-home plan with ways to increase compliance with at-home and community goals
  • Methodology and Social Circus workshops, including but not limited to Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution, Safety Circle, Appreciations, Brain Balancing and more

Independent Study Options
When participants go home after training, they will be asked to incorporate all they have learned into their work. Participants are invited to keep track of at least one ongoing weekly student, client or group, videotaping and keeping progress notes for the purpose of sending the records to Carrie for review. If videotaping is possible, participants will be asked to select 15-30 minutes of their tapes to send to Carrie, explaining what was covered in the session, and Carrie will be available for a 30-minute follow-up consultation.
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Independent study is not required for Circus Arts Therapy® Training participants, however participants are encouraged to do independent study with any of the following organizations:

COME TRAIN WITH US!