Cancelled due to covid-19 crisis
GRIEF RETREAT
Tatamagouche Centre, Tatamagouche, NS
May 29, 30, 31 2020
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with
Roy Ellis & Leah Parsons
Get unstuck
Feeling stuck and bogged down in your grief?
We know little about that. And we can help.
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Grief can put our lives on hold and freeze us where we stand. Sorrow can gnaw on our souls until we we have little left to offer ourselves,our families or the world. After months and sometimes years of this, we can become desperate, resigning ourselves to a dampened or joyless life.
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It doesn't have to be this way.
​​If you are grieving the loss of one or more loved-ones and feeling stuck, uncertain about the future and lost in your life, this retreat is for you.
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Join your retreat facilitators Roy Ellis and Leah Parsons for a springtime weekend in idyllic Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia, where you will find wise and practical help for your grief, good food, comfortable lodging and a group of peers with whom to laugh, cry and learn.
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Participants may come as individuals, couples and families (Ages 19+).
This retreat is LGBTQ2S friendly.
There is an old adage: "pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional." Too many of us end up suffering interminably during our grief, containing and enclosing sorrow in our hearts like it was a radioactive material. If we do not learn how to lovingly, tenderly and intentionally release and make room for our hurt, this suffering will have no end. Leah and Roy are dedicated to helping you release your pain and rediscover the energy, goodness and life that is at your core.
about us
roy ellis
Roy Ellis has devoted the last twenty-five years of his life to helping people who have experienced profound grief, inconsolable loss and unthinkable trauma.
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​In his present role as Bereavement Coordinator with the Nova Scotia Health Authority, Roy has counselled thousands of grieving people and facilitated countless grief groups and workshops. As a Certified Spiritual Care Pratictioner (CSCP) Roy brings a deep soulfulness to his work with grieving hearts. Roy combines the researcher’s interest in accurate, relevant and up-to-date knowledge with the humour, wit and colour of a natural storyteller. Roy is co-developer and co-director of Camp Kedooopse, a grief camp for children and teens in the Annapolis Valley.
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Roy Ellis MDiv CSCP is a counsellor, speaker, educator, writer and musician living in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He is presently writing a book on grief.
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leah parsons
Leah experienced first hand the journey of deep trauma, pain and grief when her daughter Rehtaeh died by suicide April 7 2013 at the age of 17yrs old.
Leah leads growth groups, grief retreats and delivers her powerful message on stages in Canada and around the world. Whether bravely telling her story on Dr. Phil or during her TED talk on YouTube, Leah speaks from the heart of her grief, bringing a voice to subjects such as suicide and sudden loss. Leah carries the strong belief that these topics need to be explored in order to be able to shift and move from deep emotional pain. Leah shares the tools/knowledge she has gained in her presentations & workshops knowing that when we share, we heal ourselves and we heal others.
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Leah Parsons MEd (Counselling) is a trained counsellor, speaker, artist, yoga instructor and writer living in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia.
What we do at Grief Retreat
Yoga and Meditation is offered each morning for those who wish to start their days with some light stretching and mindfulness.
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Gathering Circle is where we come together as a group to share, connect, listen and learn. The circle is facilitated as a sacred ritual space where confidence, respect, dignity and difference are protected and assured.
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Break-Out Groups. We divide the larger group into two smaller groupings allowing for more intimate interaction. Break-out groups tend to be focused on themes that are identified as challenging.
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Grief 101. Although we learn best experientially, there are a few basic grief theories and ideas that can be immensely helpful to people in pain. This section is didactic and educational in nature with room for lots of questions.
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Soulo Time. Reflective solitary time is an important aspect of the retreat. We will give participants a few simple suggestions for making this time rewarding and powerful.
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Friday May 29th
4:00 - 5:00 pm - Arrival
5:00 pm - Meet and Greet
5:30 pm - Dinner
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7:30 pm - Gathering Circle
Saturday May 30th
7:00 - 7:45 am - Yoga or Meditation
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8:00 - 8:45 am - Breakfast
9:00 -9:30 am - Gathering Circle
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9:30 - 11:45 am - Break Out Groups
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12:30 pm - Lunch
1:30 - 2:30 pm - Grief 101 Learning
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2:30 -3:30 pm - Soulo Time
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3:30 - Gathering In
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4:30 - Play
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5:30 pm - Dinner
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7:00 pm Campfire /games /socializing
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Sunday May 31st
7:00 - 7:45 am - Yoga or Meditation
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8:00 - 8:45 am - Breakfast
9:00 - 9: 30 am - Gathering Circle
9:30 - 10:45 Break-Out Circles
10:45 - 12:30 am - Intuitive Walk
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12:30 - 1:00 pm - Lunch
1:00 - 3:00 pm - Closing Ritual
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EATING
The Tatamagouche Centre delights in offering healthy home-style cooking with such favourites as chicken dinners, roast beef, stir-fry, generous salads, homemade breads, rolls and desserts.
The chefs strive to meet the dietary needs of guests including: vegetarian, vegan, no pork, celiac (gluten free), lactose intolerance, peanut and shellfish allergies.
Individuals with more specialized diets are welcome to supplement their meals at the Centre with their own food from home.
They serve organic, fair trade tea and coffee!
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LODGING
The Tatamagouche Centre accomodations are made for relaxation, comfort and privacy.
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Grief Retreat guests can choose between beautifully appointed single or shared-bedroom options.
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A variety of accommodation options is possible with workshop registration. Since some of these fill more quickly than others, it is advisable to sign up as early as possible.
Those who book early will have better options in regard to private bathrooms and single rooms.
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Single rooms are $25 exrta. See our pricing schedule below.
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WHAT TO EXPECT:
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Daily Grief Sharing Groups that help participants undo loneliness, feel understood and connect with other grievers
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Grief Education - focused on developing your grief knowledge and awareness
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Develop increased emotional capacity and mindful coping skills
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Morning yoga and/or meditation practice
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Daily Solo time
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Opportunities for play
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6 Delicious meals made by in-house chefs
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Plenty of Free Time to rejuvenate, talk and make new friendsrt
THERAPEUTIC GOALS
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EXPERIENCE BELONGING: Group work provides participants with an experience of connection and commiseration which together are the antidote to the isolation and loneliness at the heart of grief. Group work also can assist us in healing from our interpersonal wounds.
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DEVELOP SELF-COMPASSION: Being kind to ourselves takes practice. The feelings of security and self-worth provided by self-compassion are highly stable. Self-compassion steps in precisely when we fall down, allowing us to get up and try again. We live and teach this.
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LEARN GRIEF COPING SKILLS: Participants will be introduced to mindfulness, relational skills, embodiment, anxiety reduction, and methods for dealing with guilt, anger and avoidance.
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INCREASE KNOWLEDGE BASE: Learn practical grief theory that can help such as Dual process theory, Continuing bonds theory, Two-track theory, and traumatic grief.
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NOURISH SELF-AWARENESS: Inner growth and a new self-understanding are often by-products of grief and when they are new they are small and easy to miss. We take time to stop and recognize these new tender shoots of life.
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RESTORATION AND RENEWAL: Rest, nourishment, exercise and good sleep are essential elements of healing, and we prioritize these by building in lots of down time and room for recovery.
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PLAY: When we are playing and laughing, we are healing. In the midst of the hard emotional work, you will find us inviting you into periods of play, activity, body movement and dance. It is our hope that you will laugh as much as you cry.
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Retreat fees
May 29-31 2020 Grief Retreat - with Roy Ellis and Leah Parsons
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Retreat fees include lodging, food, programming and applicable taxes.
Shared accomodation rooms $569
For single/private rooms $597
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Payments accepted by Credit Card and e-transfer.
NOTE: All payments are non-refundable, non-transferable, no-exceptions. Therefore participants are encouraged to deeply consider whether the grief retreat timing and content are right for them.
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How to Register
Please contact us directly by email at leah@rehtaehparsons.ca.
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Please remember to leave the following information:
Let us know you're inquiring about the Spring 2020 Grief Retreat.
Leave your name and return email and phone number.
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Once we receive your message, we will send you more information and a registration form. Leah is available by phone or email if you have further questions.
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If you decide to attend the retreat, fill-out the registration form and send it to Leah at the email address above. Once Leah has received your form, Roy will contact you to make arrangements for payment.
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With thanks, Roy and Leah
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