Course Descriptions

Course for:
People who want to find ways of completing unfinished issues of loss related to:

relationships - separation, divorce, death body and life transitions - illness, surgery, abortion, mid-life crisis, aging trauma - accidents, rape, violence change - career change, relocation, financial status

Description:
All of life contains experiences of attachment and separation. We are called upon to face frequent career changes and physical moves, children growing up and leaving home, the surrendering of myths and fantasies, relationship endings, deaths, and the interruption of life by illness, injury or trauma.

Separations can be expected or unpredictable, growth promoting or destructive. Every transition in life, however growth promoting or painful, involves leaving something behind.

This course teaches participants how to move through separations responsibly and grieve fully.

Format:
This five-session course addresses separation, endings and loss. In a range of experiential forms, participants will be able to look at themes of loss, acknowledge their significance and define their personal grieving process.

The creative use of ceremony, the opportunity to express a wide range of feelings, to grieve fully, and to develop pathways toward reestablishing a sense of wholeness will be offered within a supportive environment.


Continuing Education Credits:
Approved for Continuing Education Credit hours by the Canadian Counselling Association (www.ccacc.ca) .

Faculty:
Linda Nicholls

Dates:

Apr.17-Apr.19, 2009 Fri-Sun;	Register	Tuition: ($405.00) $435.00	For 2009 by Dec 15, 2008 $395.00
Register for 2009 courses by December 15th, 2008 and pay 2008 Tuition fees. (early) regular fee: the price in brackets is the "Early Bird" rate for those who register and pay in full at least two weeks before the course begins. The price without brackets is the full price. Prices in Canadian dollars. Meals and accommodation not included. Full room and board is available for an extra charge. See Resort Prices for details.
Testimonials: "It was very good. I was able to get a grasp of what it is that I am facing and now have an understanding that the feelings I am having are normal. I am not as scared of my situation as I was before the course." April 2008 "For many years I have had difficulty sleeping. I was weighed down by guilt around the death of my youngest daughter. I was presented with the opportunity to take the course Separation and Loss. I was ready to try anything and I am so grateful to all concerned. I had the most amazing experience midway through the course: I felt literally as if someone was lifting this enormous weight off my shoulders and I could smell the essence of my dad, who has been gone for many years but was always there when I was in crisis. That night I slept for the first time in many years. And I continue to sleep through the night. This is a course I would recommend for anyone with issues around separation or loss. Thank you. Thank you." Evelyn Thompson, March 2003 "Last year I experienced what can was described as an internal "system collapse". I had the sense that my whole life was falling apart. The stimulus was my partner leaving our relationship. I was completely unprepared for the depression that followed. I had never known depression, nor had I experienced a profound sense of losing myself. There were many days that I didn't know how I'd make it though until noon. Fortunately, Separation and Loss was offered within a few weeks of my disarray. With guidance from Joann and Linda, through reflection, ritual and expression, I was able to feel a bit of myself again. I remember catching myself smiling at one point towards the end of the workshop. It was an odd sensation because I hadn't smiled for quite a while. In that moment, I knew I'd come into my full self again. It wasn't going to be that day, but with baby steps, I knew I'd make it. I have much gratitude for Joann and Linda, for their support, and for opening the path forward." AW, Victoria BC, March 2003

Course Evaluation:
A student/participant who attends a minimum of 90% of the total course sessions shall receive a "Pass" grade. A student/participant who is absent for more than 10% of the session will receive an "Incomplete" grade and credit will not be granted.