Weekend of August 27-29, 2010

Living Fully with Illness: For Patients and Caregivers

 This workshop has been CANCELLED

Have you ever wanted to discuss ways to talk to your loved ones, your doctor, and your children about illness? Have you wanted a safe place to talk about living with your fears and wishes about illness and dying? Are you interested in ways to stay in touch with your best self? This workshop will give you the opportunity to speak your concerns and hear how others are handling their challenges.

This workshop draws on Susan Halpern’s book, The Etiquette of Illness: What to Say When You Can’t Find the Words, including the practices of listening, caring, and speaking truthfully with kindness. Susan will use her insights from her experiences as a caregiver, a person who has lived with cancer for over fifteen years, and from leading workshops around the country based on her book.

Through discussion and reflection, participants will have an opportunity to appreciate the qualities that help them get through hard times, and enlarge their repertoire of coping skills. Caregivers can learn what kind of helping is beneficial, and how they can provide good care without losing themselves in the effort. Participants will practice skills for self-care including meditation, visualization, and movement. A sense of wellbeing is central to healing and to care-giving. Participants will have a chance to reflect on what they want in their lives to enhance their sense of living as fully as possible.

Please note: At Esalen there is steep terrain that can be slippery. Access to some parts of the property may be difficult depending on your level of mobility. Please discuss any access and assistance needs at the time of registration.

Recommended reading: Halpern, The Etiquette of Illness: What to Say When You Can't Find the Words.

CEUs available for nurses.

CEUs available for MFTs and LCSWs.

Reservations Information (Accommodations & Pricing)