Banff Retreat 2018 Workshop Descriptions
1. HeartMath: Transform Your Stress, the Resilience Advantage for Personal Use with a Mindful Wilderness Walk
Presenters:
- Ulrike Kimbley-Nicolai MSW, RSW, Dip.Soz. Paed. FH (Germany)
- Kristin Spangenberg MSW, RSW
Description:
HeartMath is a system of techniques and technologies to maximize performance by improving overall well-being while reducing stress; promoting wellness for individuals, clients and communities. Stress reduction for all Albertans is an identified target for Addiction and Mental Health. AHS has trained staff since 2007 in these techniques to increase staff capacity and reduce burnout; as well as having certified facilitators teach the techniques to clients and patients to assist in self-regulation where stress is impacting their health or management of chronic illness.
Stress affects people physically, mentally and emotionally. In 2014, 23% of Canadians 15 and older perceived most of their days as stressful. (Statistics Canada). The Alberta Health Services Chronic Disease Prevention Action Plan (2015-2018) identifies chronic stress as a modifiable risk factor for chronic illness. This course introduces HeartMath’s® system of breathing techniques and a heart rate variability tool that can help you manage life’s challenges and stressors.
Learning Goals:
1. To review the warning signs of stress;
2. To provide practical tools to help manage stress;
3. To review how emotions impact heart rate variability, brain, body, and emotional health;
4. To enhance perception and communication skills;
5. To view heart rate variability on HeartMath’s® Inner Balance application (provided by instructors);
6. To discuss how emotional resilience can be enhanced through regular use of the HeartMath® tools
7. Emotional self-regulation skills to boost resilience in our personal life.
Disclaimer:
Note: This course is meant as an introduction to HeartMath. The information learned is this workshop is intended for personal use only. If you would like more information following the workshop, please contact HeartMath directly. AHS employees please contact AHS.Heartmath@ahs.ca for enquiries about advanced courses for clinician use.
Presenter:
- Larissa Travis MSW, RSW, B.Ed
Description:
The Right Use of Power is an experientially based ethical model for more deeply understanding the subtleties of power in relationship- both personally and professionally. This workshop will help bring concrete language to power dynamics and provide a place to explore the nuances of how you, as a helping professional, may use your power in ethical, meaningful and intentional ways. Providing a base of information and context, the facilitators will offer a series of personal and experiential opportunities for participants to explore their own history with power (both consciously and unconsciously), and help you find ways to use your power in positive and reparative ways with your clients, your colleagues, and your personal relationships.
Presenter:
- Nancy Anderson Dolan, BA Psych., Wiseheart Wellness, Innovative Interventions
Description:
Ancient traditional methods to restore wholeness of the soul and how e can apply these in current practice. This is an alternative way of viewing illness and practical ways for both practitioners and ordinary people to recognize, resolve, and prevent soul essence loss, the spiritual/ energetic cause of much physical and mental illness.
Learning Goals:
1. Introduction to Soul Retrieval
2. Demonstration of how the practice of Soul Retrieval can be used.
Presenter:
- Lynne Nash, BSc., BSW, RSW
Description:
Energy healing techniques such as Reiki have been practiced for thousands of years in all cultures around the world. Based on the ideas that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us, Reiki is an energy message that helps ‘tune up” you Ki to it’s healthiest state by gently aiding the release of negative emotions. Reiki promotes relaxation, physical, mental, and spiritual healing, as well as stress and pain reduction. Everyone will have an opportunity to experience the relaxing effects of Reiki energy in this workshop.
Learning Goals:
In this workshop you will learn what Reiki is and how it can be used to heal yourself and others. You will have the opportunity to experience the practice of Reiki.
Presenter:
- Johnathan Kuipers BSW, RSW
Description:
This workshop begins with an overview of the importance of self-care and moves into a discussion on how to keep oneself emotionally available. Information about the dimensions of wellness and the spectrum of stress are followed by a dialogue about how to stay present and engaged. Tips are provided and sharing from participants is encouraged. The session then flows into answering the question; What does ethics have to do with self-care?, and attempts to find answers by looking to the Social Workers Code of Ethics. The field of mindfulness is unpacked for participants to broaden their understanding of the healing power that stems from this ancient practice. Other types of self-care are explored and participants will be given a worksheet to reflect and use again in the future. This session is designed to be interactive and will require a certain level of vulnerability and critical thought from participants. While the right to pass is always guaranteed in this session, greater learning often takes place when participants challenge themselves. Participants will be asked to walk along the boundaries of their comfort level, while remaining present and engaged. The workshop will end with a mindfulness meditation and debrief.
Learning Goals:
- increased competency around managing stress
- increased knowledge around the ethical imperative of self-care
- increased knowledge around the practice of mindfulness and the evidence that supports this approach
- increased skill in developing a self-care plan and inserting critical thought into discussions around self-care
Presenter:
- Sara Clark, MSW, RSW, REAT
Description:
This workshop provides participants with an interactive opportunity for participants to explore the concept of expressive arts and stress management through mixed artistic mediums. This presentation will have personal and professional applications. No experience is necessary to participate, only a willingness to try something new and have some fun!
Learning Goals:
Explore expressive arts and what helps reduce your stress