events
“Heba leads with empathy and curiosity, and personalizes the experience by taking everyone’s needs into account and seeing where that can lead the healing space rather than sticking to just one method. She is cognizant of the vulnerability of the practice and engages in a way that makes it a safe one. She leads by showing her own vulnerability as well and participates in everything with us rather than imposing a hierarchy in the space. This is my third event with Calamansi Counseling and Heba, I can’t recommend them enough!”
upcoming events
please check back for updates!
past events
Dabke workshop ft. Malikat al Dabke. All ages welcome! Profits (after operating costs) will be donated to HEAL Palestine.
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somatic healing space
who is this space for?
Anyone who has been impacted by bearing witness to the genocide in Gaza, the war and humanitarian crisis in Sudan, and other local and global systemic injustices. This includes activists and humans in service of collective liberation who may be experiencing burnout. This is an LGBTQ+ affirming, anti-racist, and body inclusive space. Palestinians and BIPOC especially encouraged to register. Open to ages 16+.
how will the space work?
Please note, this is NOT a dance class, but rather a space where we will individually and collectively process our emotional experiences using both words and mindful movement. Raqs Baladi (widely referred to as belly dance in the West/Raqs Sharqi) will be explored as a tool to resource our bodies, returning to the origins of this traditional movement as a modality of healing.
why a somatic healing space?
A somatic healing space invites us to process through movement and metabolize experiences that may feel stuck in our bodies. Dance and movement are ways we can resource ourselves, honor our bodies and support in mitigating activist burnout.
what do i need to bring?
If you have a scarf to wrap around your waist feel free to bring it with you. We will have a very limited number of coin scarves available to the group. Please also bring water to stay hydrated. Folks are encouraged to wear clothing they are comfortable engaging in movement with and stretching in.
logistics
This space will be facilitated by Heba Youssef, LGPC, a licensed mental health therapist, community activist, and former belly dance instructor. $25 for the 2-hour workshop*. No prior dance experience is necessary to participate. Though this workshop may feel therapeutic, it is not a psychotherapy group. Building is ADA accessible. No food or drinks with the exception or water/sports drinks. After 4/4 all sales final.
*A limited number of scholarships are available for individuals in need. Please e-mail heba@calamansicounseling.com for more information.
registration
Waivers will need to be signed in order to participate and can be done so by completing registration below. If registering for multiple people, please complete separate registrations to that each person may sign the waiver individually.
Calamansi Counseling is honored to facilitate our first "Culture, Community, & Healing Series" which creates spaces for folks with shared cultures and values to commune as a collective form of healing. Our first gathering in the series will be centering Palestinians in diaspora and folks who identify as SWANA. Due to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Calamansi Counseling recognizes the unique impact global events are having on the mental health of the Palestinian diaspora and is therefore prioritizing individuals from this community who are interested in attending this space. This will be an inclusive and LGBTQ+ affirming space.
*The title "Crying Over Knafeh" was an idea shared by a Palestinian individual whom we are in community with, who so graciously honored us by letting us use their idea to amplify this space.
Grief Space
University of Maryland College Park
Students for Justice in Palestine
Wednesday March 06 2024 at 6:30PM
Community Dinner
Bawadi Mediterranean Grill
Saturday January 27, 2024 at 5:30PM
Space is limited
RSVP to heba@calamansicounseling.com
New Year’s Eve Car Caravan
Shut it Down For Palestine
Sunday December 31, 2023 at 3:00PM
who is this group for?
Individuals anywhere, over the age of 16, who identify as Palestinian, Arab, part of the SWANA/MENA diaspora (South West Asian & North African/Middle Eastern) or Muslim. This is an LGBTQ+ affirming, anti-racist space, that resists the normalization of settler colonialism, apartheid, and imperialism.
why a collective healing space?
Collective healing is a radical reclamation of our ancestral collectivism, and a resistance to colonial narratives that elevate hyper-individualistic healing in western wellness.
what forms of art will we create?
ALL forms of art are welcomed and encouraged. During the group we will be processing, grieving, raging, spirit soothing, whatever our hearts need, while also engaging our hands and/or bodies in the creation of art. Here is a starting list, but art is certainly not limited to only these forms: jewelry making, poetry, spoken word, visual art, tatreez, clothing painting/upcycling, music, dance, culinary creation, potting plants/earth.
how will the auction work?
Whatever art forms are created during our group will be auctioned and the profits will go directly to a humanitarian organization(s) in occupied Palestine.
group cost
$50 total for all 4-weeks.* This support group will be facilitated by Heba Youssef, LGPC, a licensed clinical mental health therapist but is not a psychotherapy group.
*Financial assistance is available for individuals in need. Please e-mail heba@calamansicounseling.com for more information