The Front Burner The Back Burner
Weaver of Workshops
One of my favourite work experiences is the development of workshops. As a seasoned group worker, I can bring a lively group experience to any topic that interests me or the group that invites me. As a result I have a large recipe book of workshops that I can draw upon, adapt, lengthen, shorten and refresh to fit the new circumstances. Ten of these workshops form the basis of my new book Still Life: A Therapist’s Responses to the Challenge of Change.
All the workshops that I offer involve action methods and sociometric (group building) dimensions. Some (such as the those in Still Life) are offered as Life Management experiences which combine personal growth and professional development. Women’s residential retreats focus on personal renewal, and are experienced as labs for practicing new roles and enhancing relationship skills, using psychodrama for exploring life issues. I am pleased to offer a partial list of workshops, and I am happy to create new ones upon request.
The Front Burner
The workshops listed first are those which I am currently offering internationally. To learn about them, please click on the link to the full page description.
Lost and Found and the Space Between: A Psychodrama Workshop
As individuals, families, communities and the planet how are we to find ourselves in the space between, in the chaos from one form....more
Adam and the End of Eden: Partnership in the face of Chronic Illness
From the moment that Eve took a bit of the apple, Adam's life was never the same.
When someone we love is suddenly stricken with a life-threatening situation we are pulled inexorably into....more
The Letter: Surplus Reality in Action
An Introduction to an simple and powerful exercise to access fully the dimensions of a relationship. It is useful with individuals and in groups, at the beginning, middle or closing of a phase in the therapeutic journey.
....more
Befriending our Defences: Emotional Intelligence in Action
We go along managing life in a reasonable way, despite the challenges. Then we or someone we care about feels threatened in some way. Enter the expert defence system. The defender is reactive, full of distortions and holding on for dear life. ....more
“This has been the most life-changing workshop I have ever experienced.” H.E.
"If Only...." Action Methods and the Seasons of Mourning
In this workshop we identify five aspects of the journey of loss and some experiences that may help in life reconstruction. ....more
A Gathering of Ghosts
Interwoven into the fabric of our daily life is the world of our ancestors,
much of the time unrecognized. ....more
Still Life:
Finding Stillness, Choosing what is Life-Giving, Letting Everything Else Go
In the rush and tumble of everyday life we can become busier and busier doing the same old same old things, having the same conversations, reciting the same litany of complaint against others and ourselves. ....more
Bibliodrama: The Power of Story in Action
Bibliodrama is the name Moreno gave to the enactment of story. Fables, myths, fairy tales, movies, children’s books are all rich resources for learning, connection and magic. ....more
Residential Retreats for Women
Series 1, Coming Home An ongoing group that meets two weekends a year. ...more.
Series 2. The Wise Hearts (co-led with Lucia Lee) An ongoing group of 12 women which meets three times a year. ....more
Series 3. Three times a year I offer two-day workshops in Regina, Saskatchewan, each one independent of the others. ....more
Women's Five-Day Midsummer Retreat on an island in Muskoka (co-led with Lucia Lee). ....more
The Back Burner
The workshops listed here are a sampling of ones I have enjoyed leading in the past and am happy to facilitate.
Change or No Change
By relieving all participants of the requirement to change, and spending the workshop noticing if and how we are stuck, and imagining being unstuck, we are paradoxically changed!
Sociodrama and the Living Newspaper
These techniques are vivid explorations of situations common in our society. Stories from the daily paper reflect the divergent perspectives of the players in our communities. Role reversal provides us with insight and compassion for others who share our lives.
Peacebuilding in a Troubled World
As conscientious and informed citizens we often feel moved and deeply troubled by the violence that we encounter in the news. Our longing to be part of building peace can be overwhelmed by the scope of the problems we see. In this workshop we use bibliodrama to support us and to find peace with what we have to offer and how we can make a difference.
The Arts as Mirror
We can be influenced by the things we red, music that we listen to, objects that capture our attention, each touching us in unexpected and imaginal ways. In this most engaging workshop each participant brings an artifact, a pieceof music and a written passage which we share, deepening the experience with some psychodramatic magic.
Movies that Move Us
This weekend workshop begins with a film (eg. BAbette’s Feast , Departures) . The next day each person explores in action the moment in the film that stays with them, discovering the theme that resonates most with each life story.
Creative Neutrality: A workshop on Forgiveness
Injury at the hand of another can leave us with lasting wounds. For our own wellbeing we need to find relief from longstanding resentments and to make room for new life. There are important steps that must be taken in the path to letting go and some expectations that need to be challenged. This workshop takes us through six stages of readiness and invites us to find new freedom from old ills.
From Reaction to Response: Dealing with Therapist/Client Impasse
As counsellors we can suddenly find ourselves blocked in our work with one particular client. This workshop demonstrates four factors that can impact this relationship, and give the counselor clarity and the opportunity to test out new responses.
Great Expectations: Heaven and hell in the Group Room
As group workers, we begin by longing for the smooth, cohesive group experience that will bring joy to all. We soon learn to include among our expectations the moments of conflict, the stubborn dynamics of interlocking personalities, and the periods of inertia and frustration. In this workshop we will encourage one another to welcome each of these points of impasse as offering the possibility of growth and healing for group members and leaders alike. We will focus on four stages in group development and techniques that can facilitate upheaval, welcome new roles, and minimize shock and awe.