Improv for Social and
Emotional Learning
Why this course?
Introducing The Improv Method-Executive Functioning Through Games:
Learn playful parenting tools through the use of improv comedy. Led by Social and Emotional Learning Specialist and author of The Brain’s Playground, Maja Watkins, Dr. Ali Arena Ed.D, CCC-SLP, BCBA, and trauma specialist, Nicole Moore, M.A., LMFT. This course provides an overview of activities in the form of improv comedy games. These games are not only used for parents to work on goals with their children but also in clinical settings as well as school settings. This course was originally designed for Marriage and Family Therapists but a clear connection was made that this course benefits parents greatly, as well.
This in-depth and interactive workshop will provide you with the opportunity to diversify your therapeutic toolbox and experience how improv facilitates communication and connection when working with children on executive functioning.
You’ll be thinking on your feet, developing an improviser’s mindset, and learning actual improv games while laughing and having fun!
Meet the Teachers
Maja is a mother, author, teacher, and founder living in Los Angeles, Ca. Through her work with children in various settings, and her experience growing up with a brother on the autism spectrum, Maja has developed an understanding of how powerful communication is for all people. Maja is the author of The Brain's Playground: Using Improv Games To Teach Social and Emotional Learning as well as the author of a parenting guidebook titled: 10 Minutes of Play for 10 Days. The Brain’s Playground includes her valuable research, data, and curriculum. Maja holds a degree in Child Development and is also a graduate of The Second City in Hollywood where she studied improvisation and sketch comedy. Maja works as a Social and Emotional Learning Specialist and creates inclusive opportunities where the curriculum is designed to allow children and young adults to reach their highest potential in whichever way they feel most comfortable. Maja’s newest project is The Improv Method where she has partnered with a dynamic team creating professional development opportunities for therapists and parents.
Dr. Ali Arena is passionate about social cognition, language processing, executive functioning, and creating meaningful friendships & relationships. This is why she refers to herself as an interpersonal detective that searches for patterns to increase connection either in romantic relationships, friendships, or parent-child dynamics. She is both a Speech-Language Pathologist & Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership and is becoming a licensed educational psychologist. She uses a Neurodiversity-Affirming and Tramaua-Informed lens while working with all clients. Her doctorate focus was unique, to say the least as it addressed the dating intricacies of Autistics which led her to develop her private practice for anyone who wants help socially navigating in their workplace or relationships. Lastly, she truly feels social support is a biological necessity and wants to help all neurodivergent individuals to reach holistic communication.
Nicole Moore is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) who works with families, couples, and adults. She earned her master’s degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University and specializes in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, and depression. Using attachment theory, mindfulness, traditional and alternative modalities (including EMDR) to personalize every treatment plan, she strives to make a genuine connection with each individual to help inform her approach. Additionally, Nicole has an interest in comedy and completed the improv comedy program at Upright Citizens Brigade. While working with Maja through Zip Zap Zop Enrichment which uses improv to teach social and emotional learning (SEL) to children, Nicole experienced the value of the approach as a therapeutic intervention and how it can be applicable in a multitude of clinical settings.
