Carrie Heller, MSW, LCSW, RPT, will present a framework for Mental Health in Youth Circus
Programs. This presentation will include defining triggers; Trauma-Informed Core Principles,
including the factors that contribute to building resiliency; identifying and addressing symptoms
of concerns with youth followed by examples of great things to say when youth share hard
things with you. We will explore tips and tools to promote Youth Mental Health including de-
escalation tips, suggestions for coalescing a group into a team like community agreements, as
well as general psychological first aid for youth programming. The presentation is followed by opportunities for attendees to interact.

Facilitator: Carrie Heller
Carrie Heller, M.S.W., is the Founder and Director of the Circus Arts Institute in Atlanta, Georgia.  Carrie fell in love with circus arts as a child in 1972 while learning from the FSU Flying High Circus performers and has been happily flying through the air ever since.  She has been involved with the American Youth Circus Organization since its inception and is the author of the industry’s first The Aerial Circus Training and Safety Manual.   Melding together her background as a social worker, play therapist, and circus artist, Carrie served as a Trainer of Trainers for Cirque Du Monde, a Cirque Du Soleil Outreach Program that uses circus arts to help youth around the world.  She is passionate about passing on her experience in both adaptive and typically developing circus arts through her trainings.  In conjunction with Dr. Lauren Taglialatela Carrie is the co-author of the April 2018 published article entitled: Circus Arts Therapy® fitness and play therapy program shows positive clinical results which appears in the International Journal of Play Therapy (published by the American Psychological Association). Carrie is both excited and honored to be serving on the AYCO Board of Directors.

ACE Discussion November - Mental Health in Youth Circus Programs

  • November 14, 2023
  • Vitrual - Zoom