This June, Shalem hosted a long-awaited conference featuring Dr. Dan Siegel as our keynote speaker! Held at the beautiful Liuna Station in Hamilton, 210 people gathered in person to hear Dan speak, with another 124 joining the conference online.

After two-and-a-half years of postponements and rearrangements, Shalem was thrilled to be able to host the event in a manner close to what was originally envisioned. For in-person participants, there was a clear sense of enjoyment in being able to gather with colleagues, perhaps for the first time in years, for a day of learning, connecting, and professional encouragement. For on-line participants, the conference offered a rich day of learning despite some brief connectivity issues after lunch.

Dr. Dan Siegel taught us about interpersonal neurobiology, with a focus on how trauma and neglect earlier in life affects the developing brain, relationships and the mind. He shared how we can use this information in offering treatment that helps people integrate their experiences and make sense of them in ways that are healing.

Not only did participants learn a lot of information, we were also led through movement with somatic and experiential exercises so that we could experience and integrate our learnings. There were opportunities for interaction as Dr Jean Clinton, Clinical Professor at McMaster University moderated a Q&A for both in-person and online participants.

Participants on site enjoyed a delicious lunch as well as refreshments throughout the day. Caversham Books had tables of books for sale, providing resources to compliment the training.

The day was sponsored by Greenspace Health and McMaster University.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to making this long-awaited day a reality!