By Erica Lewis

Healing Connections is a four-day immersive program designed to address the lasting impact of trauma. Experiencing trauma can have significant effects on mental health including PTSD, Depression and Anxiety that impact daily life. Healing Connections is centered around the power of healthy relationships with ourselves and others to generate healing.

This unique approach combines education about trauma, equine (horse)-assisted learning activities, and trauma processing exercises facilitated by a therapist in a group of peers with similar life experiences.

Who is this program for? This program is open to anyone over the age of 23 that identifies as female or non-binary interested in addressing their trauma. Participants will be asked to complete a series of assessments in the time after the intensive to determine to effectiveness of the program and be connected to a group of alumni.

Who is PBJ Connections? We are a team of Mental Health and Equine (horse) professionals that have been providing mental health treatment to Central Ohioans since 2006. We recognize that some people need more than weekly, hour long, talk therapy sessions to heal from chronic traumatic experiences and complex PTSD.

This program works best in a ‘closed container’ setting. This means we will provide overnight accommodations, food and all transportation after arrival for the four days of the intensive. Participants are asked to ‘unplug’ and turn in their phones for the duration of the intensive. This serves to eliminate distractions and focus connection towards the group. Our facilitators act as emergency contacts if a participant needs to be reached during the intensive.

We want to eliminate barriers to participating in this program. Please reach out to Holly Jedlicka at Info@PBJConnections.org or call 740-924-7543 if you have questions or need assistance to participate.

2024 Schedule: 

March 21st – 24th – Completed
June 27th – 30th Now accepting applications
August 22nd – 25th Now accepting applications
November 14th- 17th Now accepting applications

We are prioritizing filling the program in March at this time.  

WHERE:
PBJ Connections
Taco Bella Office

3231 Burnside Rd, Johnstown, OH 43031

COST:
You will be asked to complete a scholarship form to pay what you are able to pay towards the cost of this program. Our generous donors make this program accessible to anyone that requires a scholarship to participate. This cost covers transportation, meals, activities and overnight accommodation during the intensive.

Thank you to our Healing Connections sponsor, Maria Calderone, for supporting this special program.

 

Click here to view our Policy Form which includes a more detailed description of the intensive.

Learn More and Apply Here

Click the link above to provide your contact information and get details about the program. The end of this form asks you for times that you are available for a phone call to complete your registration.

Meet the Facilitators

The two primary facilitators for this program are white women. We will have the support of other people of color throughout the program. We are reaching out to minorities in an effort to help students of color access support systems at OSU and experience the personal benefits of models outside of traditional talk therapy. We recognize that as white people there are things we do not understand about the experiences of minorities and we hope to provide a safe space for healing within our program.

Holly Jedlicka, MSW, LISW-S

 

Holly Jedlicka, MSW, LISW-S is the Exectuive Director of PBJ Connections. She specializes in child, adolescent and family therapy as well as working with LGBTQ clients. She also specializes in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Holly holds a bachelors degree in psychology from Otterbein University and a Masters in Social Work from The Ohio State University.  She worked in community behavioral health before focusing her efforts on equine-assisted psychotherapy.  She holds an Advanced EAGALA certification and is a PATH International Registered Instructor.

Erica Lewis

 

Erica is the Assistant Director of PBJ Connections and has maintained her EAGALA Equine Specialist certification since 2015. She has been focused on developing skills to elevate the voices of the horses in sessions and encouraging professionals in the field create more equal relationships with equine cofacilitators.

Erica was inspired to develop Healing Connections with Holly after she experienced a profound shift in her healing journey at another immersive program in California.

Preshus Thompson

Preshuslee Thompson, affectionately called Preshus, is a Master of Social Work Student at The Ohio State University with a focus on Community and Social Justice and Clinical Social Work. Preshus holds a Bachelor Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a minor in Women’s Gender Sexuality Studies. Preshus is a Columbus, Ohio native and soon to be two time graduate of The Ohio State University. She holds certifications in EAGALA, Anti-Oppression Informed Practices and Mental Health First Aid.
Preshus was inspired to engage in Healing Connections after having the opportunity to experience the powerful immersive program as a pilot at PBJ Connections.