Hyman has experienced the depth of separation trauma from blood relatives, as well as the transformative, healing process of the mind, body, and spirit. He now wishes to provide adopted persons, parents and others involved in adoption, and professionals connected to adoption the opportunity to identify and validate deep wounds and challenges, and use creative expression and light spiritual practices to foster resolution and healing. He also aims to promote personal growth in order to educate and enlighten broader society about the long-term effects of separation and connection. INSIDE OUT debuted at the Adopt Salon Conference on November 9, 2012 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. A 2-hour condensed version in a workshop format was conducted, which included meditation, collage, writing, role play, sharing and a playful group closing. The workshop was very well received as related by many participants. Since then, INSIDE OUT Seminars have been presented in San Francisco, New York City, Cleveland, San Diego, Chicago, Richmond, VA, Washington, DC, Boston, and Westfield, MA. Feedback has been tremendous and gratifying. The seminar can be presented in a variety of formats, including full weekends, a day-long or condensed half-day seminar, or a 2-3 hour workshop. In addition to presenting for groups, I will also be scheduling the seminar independently for various dates and locations nationwide. Let me know if there is interest in your organization, company or community. Hyman honors a lifelong calling to service in the areas of adoption education, healing and spiritual growth. He is an Adoption Life Coach for adoptees, biological parents, adoptive parents, their families and significant others; and specializes in the areas of general adoptions issues, search, reunion and post-reunion complexities. He has founded and facilitated post-reunion and support groups in New York City and Marin and Sonoma counties in Northern California. Craig facilitated for 12 years the Male Adoptee Issues workshop and Spiritual Perspectives Panel for the annual AAC conference as well as other National Conferences. He resides in Los Angeles & New York City, and coaches and educates globally. Comments from participants:
"I am an adoptee as well as an early development specialist (i.e., in the mental health world). I have benefited from many years of therapy of many different stripes throughout my adult life. I signed up for the "Inside Out Healing Session" because I always find it refreshing to engage in anything experiential in the midst of a conference, which is typically very cerebral & didactic. I had no idea what to expect, and what I experienced was something quite brilliant in its simplicity, its depth, its fun and its sneak-up-on-you power to do exactly what it says: bring some inside stuff out. One of the extraordinary features of their approach is that it is equally well suited for the therapy veteran as for the therapy uninitiated! Not only is it non-threatening, it is inviting! I highly recommend it!!!"
--- Marcy Axness, PhD, Author of Parenting For Peace
"The Inside Out workshop was an experience I will never forget! The experiential interventions helped me explore my inner self like I had never done before. I went in thinking I would expect the expected and came out revealing the unexplored. The collage exercise helped me gain a deeper understanding of myself and I learned new tools for healing. I highly recommend this workshop for any member of the adoption triad as well as any professional wanting to explore how to work/treat the adoption population. This workshop can also be applied to anyone who has experienced trauma and who wants to access what is lurking inside and express it out."
--- Jeanette Yoffe, M.A., M.F.T. - Child & Family Psychotherapist, Co-organizer of Adopt Salon Conference
"Spiritual exploration and creative expression best help to tap into the deep areas of our consciousness where wounds lie. The Inside Out Healing Workshop, at the 2012 Adopt Salon Conference, provided the perfect tools for us to explore and express from that deep place. Craig Hyman created an environment that was enriching, enlightening, and, most important, empowering. This is the workshop I've been looking for at conferences!"
--- Brian Stanton, Adoptee, Actor, Playwright
