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November 7, 2022
We had an inspiring time together with Mitchell Kossak presenting “Rhythmic Attunement in Expressive Arts: Attachment, Embodied Empathy, and Interpersonal Neurobiology”. Mitchell shared his synchronistic experience of literally bumping into Paolo Knill in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the 1980’s– and consequently entering Lesley’s Expressive Therapies program with Paolo as one of his main teachers. Mitchell presented a PowerPoint highlighting snapshots of Paolo as a child with his family, moments with Shaun McNiff, teaching in various countries, along with video clips of Paolo playing music and elaborating on the expressive arts.
Mitchell then presented the outgrowth of his own work on attachment, energy, attunement, and embodied empathy, as well as the influences of music and vibration growing up. Everything came alive as he guided the group in an inner exploration with the support of recorded music, followed by live music as Mitchell attuned to the group. Participants moved, created artwork, and shared words in the chat that emerged. It was an enlivening and enriching presentation, with time for sharing and questions.
A couple highlights from participants:
"Simply loved the experiential part that Mitchell explored with the group. So aware of the body, the rhythm and the space around."
"I love the art activities, the safe space makes it possible to enter into dream space, which in turn makes it possible to be creative."
About Mitchell Kossak:
Mitchell Kossak, Ph.D., LMHC, REAT, is the author of Attunement in Expressive Arts Therapy: Toward an Understanding of Embodied Empathy and a professor in the Expressive Therapies program at Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. He has worked as an expressive arts therapist since 1983 and has been a licensed mental health counselor since 1994. He is the past President/Executive Co-Chair of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) and the Associate Editor of The Journal of Applied Arts and Health. His clinical work combines expressive arts therapy with body-centered approaches with a variety of populations addressing issues such as chronic pain, recovery from trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions, and relationships. Dr. Kossak has trained in a variety of mind body modalities including Polarity Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage, and Bioenergetics. He studied Sound Healing with pioneers in the field of sacred sound and transformation of consciousness. In addition, he has studied and practiced energy based healing forms such as Tai Chi, Chi Gong, Vispassana meditation, and Iyengar yoga for over 30 years. Dr. Kossak is also a professional musician performing for over 35 years in the Boston area.
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