During the fall of 2023, Dr. Cynthia Wilcox joined us for a 3-part Workshop Series on the topic of Mental Health.
Part 1: Facing the truths and feelings the feelings
This experiential workshop helped attendees develop skills to process the overwhelming thoughts and emotions associated with the EOFAD journey
Often when we are facing difficult circumstances, we are initially overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions—grief, fear, how will I go forward? Natural defenses range from avoiding the thoughts and feelings, to becoming absorbed in “figuring out” solutions. When we develop the tools and skills to process the emotion, we discover our resilience and capacity to be with life as it is. We are less overwhelmed, and our capacity to function effectively is enhanced. This experiential workshop focuses on cognitive and somatic skills, with opportunities to practice and ask questions.
_
Part 2 : Bringing kindness and care to ourselves
This experiential workshop will taught strategies and skills for caring for our own physical and emotional well being along the EOFAD journey.
Whether in the role of caregiver, newly diagnosed patient, or genetic carrier, the capacity to tend to our own physical and emotional well being—to hold ourselves with care and tenderness—is essential. We can develop strategies and skills for offering this care to ourselves and learn to make choices that support our well being. This experiential workshop focuses on recognizing our tendency to set aside our own needs as well as developing specific ways to shift our attitudes and bring care to ourselves.
Part 3: Beyond grief and fear
This experiential workshop taught us how to make room for beauty and joy in addition to sorrow along the EOFAD journey.
When facing life’s difficulties, it is natural that we focus our lens of perception on those difficulties. Remembering to widen our lens to include love, beauty, and joy in the midst of it all supports our resiliency and enables us to move forward with life in the most balanced way possible. Changes are inevitable, and we can remember what matters most and embrace the parts of our lives that bring us joy and fulfillment.
_ ___
Presenter, Cynthia Wilcox, Ph.D.
Cynthia is a psychologist and teacher of mindful awareness. She teaches in a variety of contexts helping people to bring awareness to their inner life and work with energy in the body to transform suffering. Learn more about Cynthia.