In this conversation, Dr. Ann Kelley and Occupational Therapist Kim Barthel explore the conscious evolution of the human spirit, the importance of self-compassion, and the integration of neuroception with therapeutic practices. Through Barthel's book, ‘Conversations with a Rattlesnake,' they dive into the significance of sensory integration and attachment in personal development. Using Porges' “Safe and Sound Protocol”, they touch on how understanding one's own nervous system and the cues of safety can lead to better emotional regulation and connection with not only oneself, but others. Follow along as they discuss the themes of trauma, healing and the science of connection.
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In late 2023, Kim was featured in Communication Matters, the magazine published by the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists' Association, discussing Becoming a Behavioural Detective. Kim is bringing this course to New Zealand in November, hosted by Mind 2 Mind Courses.
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This May, 2025, Kim will be delivering the workshop Psycho-Sensory Intervention in Kells, Ireland. Kim recently sat down to speak with the hosts of this workshop, Regina Donnelly & Emir Crowley, from Hand in Hand OT, to discuss what participants can expect from this training.
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In acknowledging World Autism Month this April, Relationship Matters is offering 20% discounts (that can be added to existing discounts) on our two key courses related to Autism. To sign up for our courses: "AUTISM MATTERS" and "Treating Movement Challenges in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: NDT for ASD", register with the WAM20 coupon code in the month of April (OFFER STARTS APRIL 1 and ENDS APRIL 30th!).
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Relationship Matters is pleased to release another free 1-hour video, the 7th so far in our collection of Free Video Recordings. It’s called Neurodiverse-Affirming Practice in Support of Individuals with Sensory Processing Differences. Please feel free to let your colleagues and friends who might be interested know that it’s available to everyone. We’re hoping its sharing might help a little bit towards co-creating a more informed, compassionate and inclusive world.
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Kim recently sat down with Ruthie Smith, an author, musician and energy psychotherapist with a long-held interest in the ‘shift’ of humanity’s awakening consciousness, and in the integration of energy and spirituality within psychotherapy. Ruthie is an attachment-based psychoanalytic psychotherapist (The Bowlby Centre, London) and energy psychotherapist with thirty-five years’ clinical experience in private practice, and ten years as a principal psychotherapist and supervisor in the National Health Service (UK). She has taught extensively on psychotherapy trainings, is invited to speak at various conference and events.
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Hosted by Rupert Isaacson, best-selling author of “The Horse Boy”, "The Long Ride Home” and a long time human rights activist, in this interview Kim is asked about neuroscience, trauma and the healing power of relationships. Throughout their transformative conversation, Rupert says "Kim shares profound insights into how emotional safety, attunement, and the body’s natural wisdom guide people toward healing and empowerment.”
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Hosted by Mannah, the Therapeutic Astrologer, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, Kim is invited to talk about her ultimate passion “supporting the conscious evolution of the human spirit” and its expansive tension - therapy as an opportunity to sense yourself.
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Reflecting on 2024 with enormous gratitude for our colleagues, hosts, new + old friends and our many blessings. Here are some images from the last few months. Love to All.
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We all know that we cannot control many things that we perceive as unjust. However, with clarity of mind and courage of heart we can still try to have influence. Each of us has and will always have the choice to try to influence situations in small ways that we believe will help make this world a healthier, more compassionate and decent place to live for everyone.
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Welcome to episode 14 of the Embodied: Step Into You Podcast with your hosts Paula Scatoloni and Leslie Rhyne. In this episode, Paula and Leslie are joined by Kim Barthel, a celebrated Canadian occupational therapist and multidisciplinary teacher renowned for her expertise in neurobiology, trauma-sensitive practices, and sensory processing.
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Now fully available to registrants, Trauma-Sensitive Education is an 8 hour pre-recorded workshop that sheds light on the profound impact trauma can have on students’ development, relationships, motivation and learning. It delves into actionable strategies educators can use to support all students, including themselves, in navigating challenging circumstances. Trauma-Sensitive Education is the information that experienced educators wish had been included in their teacher training, to help with their burn out and to reach kids who seem unreachable. With September just ahead, we are thinking about the educators and their critical profession, and hoping this course can be a helpful resource for them.
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I recently joined Unyte Health in a Clinical Conversations webinar: The Relationship Between Regulation, Relationship and Resilience alongside Drs. Stephen Porges and Peter Levine. This session answered questions like: how are regulation, relationship and resilience interconnected? How are they different? How do they show up in the nervous system and how can the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) increase our capacity for regulation, relationship and resilience all at once?
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L'entretien entre Océane Folliet et Kim a été publié dans le numéro de janvier 2024 du magazine ergOTHérapies. La revue ergOThérapies est publiée par l’Association nationale française des ergothérapeutes (ANFE) pour soutenir le développement de la profession d’ergothérapeute en France. Ce soutien passe par la communication, entre professionnels, des travaux de recherche et innovations pratiques susceptibles d’aider les ergothérapeutes à faire évoluer leur pratique, en cohérence avec les avancées au niveau international.
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One of the things we’re not sure about is if people know about the ways in which we're making the pricing of Relationship Matters’ courses as fair and accessible as we can. We do this because there are widely different local economies around the world, and we’ve seen that therapists might earn $10/day in one place and $1,000/day in another place for the same effort. We also know that anyone can fall on hard financial times, no matter where they are, what their profession, and what their level of excellence.
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This September, 2024, Kim will be delivering her most prolific and popular workshop in Perth, Western Australia: BECOMING A BEHAVIOURAL DETECTIVE Kim recently sat down to speak with one of the hosts of this workshop, Lynette Burke, from Mind2Mind Courses, to discuss what participants can expect from this training.
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This October, 2024, Kim will be delivering her workshop in Rennes, France: Développer une approche psycho-sensorielle Kim recently sat down to speak with the host of this workshop, Gwénaëlle Roscoe, from Cabane Sensiorielle, to discuss what participants can expect from this training.
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With our Occupational Therapy colleague Nikki Smit originally from South Africa now living in Singapore, Kim has a conversation about neurodiverse affirming practice. Nikki identifies as a neurodivergent clinician herself, and their 48 minute discussion provides insight into the importance of seeing every single person as valuable and whole.
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We are expanding our capacity to serve others, in a personal way! Acknowledged through this letter to you all today, Kim and I are thrilled to formally welcome Lista Qanaatia Spensley-Tagornak to the Relationship Matters Team.
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There hasn’t been an NDT (Neuro-Developmental Treatment) certification program offered in Canada in about 10 years, but there is one coming! We’re not involved in it but are happy to share the information to encourage more OT, PT and SLP colleagues to make NDT part of their practice. NDT is “a holistic and interdisciplinary clinical practice model informed by current and evolving research that emphasizes individualized therapeutic handling based on movement analysis for habilitation and rehabilitation of individuals with neurological pathophysiology.”
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