Psychotherapist's Journal | Thoughts and Tools to Inspire Wellness in Mind and Body by Karen Gorrin

Here are the Details ... THRIVE!

I want to personally thank you for all the enthusiasm for THRIVE! Registration doesn't open until Thursday yet it's obvious from the emails I've received the Fall, 2010 THRIVE series is already a huge success! I really appreciate that you've recognized something special about THRIVE and you want to be involved. :-)

Read the original post about THRIVE now.

Here are the details:

Is THRIVE covered by my health insurance?
Yes. Most insurance companies will cover at least part of the program. We anticipate the Microsoft Plan will cover about 90%. You may also qualify to use pre-tax dollars from your Flexible Spending account. Consult your plan administrator or tax professional.

Why did you create THRIVE?
Studies show 75-90% of physician office visits are stress-related. Stress is the number one cause of chronic illness AND stress is the number one cause of aging. Yet doctors rarely have the time to educate their patients about the simple, self-care practices and lifestyle changes that will reverse the trend from illness back to wellness. THRIVE fills this gap.

What are the dates and times for Fall, 2010 THRIVE?
The series begins September 6 and ends the week of November 22. During the 12-Week program you'll participate in an individual Initial Session, Ten (10) Group Sessions, Six (6) Private Sessions, and an individual Final Session. 

Here's how it works:

Week 1 ... Initial Session
Week 2-11 ... Group Sessions + Private Sessions
Week 12 ... Final Sessions

The group options are: Tuesdays 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM or Wednesdays 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. The individual/private sessions are scheduled at your convenience subject to availability. Register early to guarantee the ideal times for you.

Who is the ideal THRIVE participant?
THRIVE is for people struggling with work/life balance, experiencing symptoms of stress like chronic pain, muscle tension, worry, the "blues", sleepless nights, or a lack of vitality. Most THRIVE participants are busy professionals and stay-at-home Moms and Dads. Currently THRIVE is for adults, only. 

While participating in THRIVE you will learn:

- The #1 cause of chronic illness and how to reverse it's effects on YOU!
- Identify and release your unique barriers to improving your health
- Learn evidence-based practices guaranteed to increase well-being
- Practice a step-by-step process for making health a priority in your life

And much more ...

My company needs a team building program, is THRIVE appropriate?
Yes. THRIVE for Business is a MIND BODY BOOTCAMP customized for business environments. We design the program specifics around the needs of the organization and it's employees. In fact, the evidence-based mind body practices in THRIVE enhance work performance and reduce sick days. It's true!

Watch the new video about THRIVE now.

May I ask a favor? If you know someone who could benefit from reducing stress and improving their health, will you please forward this blog post to them? Just use the URL found on the "permalink" button below. THANK SO MUCH!

Registration for THRIVE opens this Thursday, July 15!  Space is limited and registration closes on August 1. Email me to schedule your telephone introduction and guarantee your space -- I really want you to be included! :-)

Warmly,
Karen

Announcing THRIVE Integrative Wellness Program for Creating Harmony in Mind and Body - Registration opens July 15

THRIVE is a 12-week therapeutic mind body medicine prescription for reducing stress and improving health. THRIVE offers a spectacular leap forward in wellness with support and skills that lead you to live your best life.

While participating in THRIVE you will learn:

- The #1 cause of chronic illness and how to reverse it's effects on YOU!
- Identify and release your unique barriers to improving your health
- Learn evidence-based practices guaranteed to increase well-being
- Practice a step-by-process for making health a priority in your life

And much more ...

Do you struggle with work/life balance? Does muscle tension, chronic pain, and sleepless nights get the best of you? Are you often fatigued, lack vitality and enthusiasm? Do you worry about events that happened long ago, or events that have never happened at all? These may all be signs of stress. We'll address all of these concerns and more during this 12-Week life-changing program. The next THRIVE series begins in September, 2010. Space is limited.

I am grateful for the opportunity to share with you what I have learned from my own healing journey from a life-threatening illness and from my years of work with patients in stressful life circumstances. I have extensively studied Mind Body Medicine and the emerging related fields of Lifestyle Medicine and Anti-Aging Medicine. THRIVE is truly the best of what I know from all of these experiences integrated into one powerful package - that's why I'm so excited to share it with you.

You are invited to watch the new video I created about THRIVE:

THRIVE will challenge and support you to meet your well-being goals mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I would LOVE to read your feedback about the program so please share your thoughts with me below. You can also check out my page on Facebook and join the discussion happening there!

Registration for THRIVE opens on July 15 and will remain open for just two weeks. Registration closes on August 1. To register, just send me an email on July 15 to schedule a telephone introduction. Because things get busy once registration opens, if you don't hear back from me right away please email me again. We'll talk soon.  :-)

Warmly,
Karen

Day of Wellness Retreat: The Forgiving Heart

The Forgiving Heart is a deep and powerful workshop designed to support you in letting go of the hurts that hold you back from living your best life.

In this workshop you will:

-Learn the #1 reason people have a difficult time letting go
-Identify your unique blocks to freeing your life from pain
-Practice the step-by-step process for releasing the past
-Lean heart-opening techniques guaranteed to restore joy

And much more ...

Have you ever wondered if it's possible to forgive and yet still hold the other accountable for their actions? Do you worry that forgiving will somehow let the other "off the hook"? What is the person who needs forgiveness is yourself?

We'll discuss these concerns and more at the Day of Wellness: The Forgiving Heart workshop. Did you know that living well and being healthy actually REQUIRES that we regularly forgive by recapturing our innate capacity for peace and love? It's true!

I am very grateful for the opportunity to share with you what I have learned in my own life about the power of forgiveness to heal and transform lives. I will also share with you the latest research from the field of Mind Body Medicine about the effect of forgiveness on our health and wellness. I think you'll be as fascinated as me!

YOU ARE INVITED to leave your comments below. I would LOVE to hear from you about what attracts you to this retreat (you know it in your gut when it feels right) and what your specific hopes and goals are for the day.

Almost forgot - the date for this retreat is Sunday, June 6 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM and the cost is just $149 and this INCLUDES an organic vegetarian lunch, guided imagery and visualizations, small group discussions, journal writing, and lots of inspiration for the taking the next step towards transforming your life.

An email to me holds your space but your confirmation will become confirmed only after you've talked to me about the appropriateness of this retreat for you at this time and your payment has been received in full. If you don't hear back from me right away please send me another email.

Warmly,
Karen

Upcoming Tools for the Journey at Harmony Hill

Tools for the Journey is a one-day workshop offered at NO COST to people living with cancer and their caregivers. It is a full day of practical resources and strategies for how to live fully despite the challenges of cancer.

 One of my greatest gifts is the opportunity to serve on the faculty of Harmony Hill's cancer program. Harmony Hill is a beautiful place where magical "aha" moments and unexpected laughter happen all the time. It is  a place where all experiences are welcome, included time for uncertainty, sorrow, joy, and fear. There is time for walking the labyrinths, sitting in the gardens, reflection and journal writing, reading and deep conversation.

I'll be facilitating two Tools for the Journey dates this summer: June 28 and August 23. If you know someone living with cancer I hope you'll tell them about Harmony Hill. It's a very special place.

Tools for the journey includes simple movement, guided imagery, group support and lots of healing tools and resources. A delicious Harmony Hill lunch is also included! The majority of space in this program are reserved for people on the waiting list for the 3-day weekend cancer retreats. The other spaces are open to any individual with a cancer diagnosis and their loved ones.

For more information or to register please visit the Harmony Hill website.

Warmly,
Karen

Day of Wellness Retreat: Coherence and The Open Heart

I'm so excited to tell you about the next Day of Wellness Retreat!

Did you know the heart has the largest electromagnetic field in the body? This field constantly sends messages to every cell of the body. What message is your heart sending to you?

When we experience open heart emotions such as appreciation, gratitude, and compassion, our heart rhythm pattern becomes coherent, positively influencing our health, brain function, performance, and overall wellbeing. Yet when we experience stressful emotions such as frustration, anxiety, or anger, our heart rhythm pattern becomes irregular and incoherent, negatively affecting every aspect of our health and wellbeing.

AT THIS RETREAT YOU'LL LEARN practices to open your heart and increase your nervous system's coherence - helping to create a perfect balance in mind, body, spirit and emotions. We'll also explore the latest research in mind-body medicine about coherence and heart rate variability.

OUR TIME TOGETHER WILL INCLUDE: small group discussions, journal writing, guided imagery, gentle movement, meditation, and lots of inspiration for taking the next step towards transforming our lives.

Cost is $95 and includes an organic vegitarian lunch. Deadline to register is Friday, November 6 at 12:00 PM. No walk-ins, please. For corporate retreat information, please email: retreats@karengorrin.com

Please note, an RSVP on Facebook does not complete your registration but does temporarily hold your space. A conversation with Karen to confirm the appropriateness of this retreat for you at this time, together with full payment, are both required to complete your registration. Thank you.

Day of Wellness Retreats are designed and facilitated by psychotherapist Karen Gorrin, MA, LMHC of Olive Tree Healing Arts in Bellevue, Washington

Where Contemplative Practice and Modern Science Meet

I recently learned about an organization called Mind & Life Institute. Their mission speaks directly to the growing theme I notice in organizations, initiatives, and healing modalities, including my own work at Olive Tree Healing Arts: "The mission of Mind & Life Institute is to foster dialogue and research at the highest level between modern science and the great living contemplative traditions, especially Buddhism. It [Mind & Life Institute] builds on a deep commitment to the power and value of both of these ways of advancing knowledge and their potential to alleviate suffering." Wow - it doesn't get better then this!

What an honor to be living in such fascinating times! The gift of blending ancient wisdom practices together with modern ways of knowing and discovery continues to thrill me. I am deeply grateful for the work of Mind & Life Institute and the intention their organization cultivates to foster multi-disciplinary dialogue on the unfolding journey of life. I encourage you to take a look at their website to learn, grow, and engage. In fact, they have an upcoming conference titled, Educating World Citizen's for a 21st Century that looks fabulous! Perhaps I'll see you there?!

What are your thoughts about this growing trend of intentionally blending contemplative practice with modern science? Have you noticed the same theme emerging in your world? What has been your experience with integrating these differing ways of knowing? I would love to hear your thoughts.

More Reasons to Love your iPhone

If you love your iPhone as much as I love mine, you probably don't need another reason to love it more. But today it came to my attention that Whole Foods Market has a yummy whole foods recipe application for the iPhone! How wonderful is this? If you're stuck in the same old, same old meal planning rut, if you're ready to explore healthier meals, or you want new options for your pantry - this iPhone application is definitely for you! Now, in support of our local whole foods co-op, who will write a similar application for PCC - Puget Consumer Coop? Your thoughts? 

Mindfulness Meditation and Healthcare Reform

This one brought joy to my heart. Representative Tim Ryan, a Congressman from Ohio, who earned his JD from Franklin Pierce Law Center, practices meditation. Not only this, he seems to grasp the critical role meditation and stress management plays in overall health, wellbeing, and disease prevention. And - he has brought these issues to the attention of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for consideration in healthcare reform. Listen to his pitch here.

What are your thoughts? Do you believe meditation and other forms of relaxation and stress management should play a role in healthcare reform? Do you believe we should emphasis such prevention strategies when we know stress is a major player in the development of disease and chronic illness? I do!