A Case for Trauma-Care in Forensic Psychiatry with Trauma Specialist and European Program Director, Josefin Wikstrom

Prison Yoga Project Podcast

Welcome to the Prison Yoga Project Podcast! In this episode, we have a very special guest, Josefin Wikstrom, the Program Director and Training Coordinator for Prison Yoga Project, Europe.

For over 16 years, Josefin has been at the forefront of introducing yoga and dance into Swedish prisons, focusing on trauma-exposed populations. Now, she's taking her expertise to the next level by leading clinical research studies with incarcerated individuals in special psychiatric care facilities, and recently expanding her work to the United States.

Join us as we delve into the world of complementary therapeutic care for forensic psychiatry patients and therapists. We'll explore the real-life experiences of facilitation, sequencing, and space holding as Josefin shares her insights on working with individuals suffering from severe PTSD, dissociation, schizophrenia, and psychosis.

With her extensive training in trauma-informed yoga therapy and mental health, Josefin brings a wealth of knowledge to this conversation. She's been instrumental in developing evidence-based programs like the Swedish Krimyoga program, and she's currently creating trauma-informed yoga initiatives for Swedish forensic psychiatry units, the Juvenile justice system, and stress-reducing programs for children in schools.

This podcast episode promises to be educational, warm, and thought-provoking. Gain valuable insights into the powerful impact of yoga as a complementary therapeutic tool in correctional settings and beyond.

To learn more about the research mentioned in this episode, check out the links below. Research links:

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00204/full

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00406/full

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00407/full

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Foundational Training: Yoga through the Lens of Trauma and Incarceration

Our Foundational Training provides a comprehensive introduction to the intersection of incarceration, trauma, and yoga. Through this training, you'll explore trauma-informed and healing-centered approaches to facilitating yoga and mindfulness in carceral settings while gaining a greater understanding of the historical and systemic issues contributing to trauma and inequity.

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Our trauma-informed 200-hour yoga teacher training provides a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of transformation and liberation while developing the skills and knowledge needed to create empowering and accessible yoga and mindfulness programs regardless of background or experience.

Your host Blaire Embrey (RYT 500) is the Communications Manager for Prison Yoga Project and the producer of Prison Yoga Project Podcast. She is a student of Tibetan Buddhism, Post-Lineage Yoga, and Peruvian Mountain Shamanism; she is pulled towards the profound mystery of existence, cultivating compassion for all beings, and joy.