Core Group:
Living with ME/CFS, FM, and Long COVID

Facilitators

Dr. Ric Arseneau
Dr. Jane McKay

90 minute weekly sessions for 16 weeks

This group explores the challenges with living with “invisible” conditions like Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Fibromyalgia (FM), and and Long COVID. You will develop tools to help you better cope with these misunderstood conditions.

Core Group Topics

• Introduction: Meet Participants & Rules of Engagement

• Introduction: The 3 Tools

• Energy Envelope, & Body Awareness

• Mind-Traps, & Suffering

• Managing Your Energy Envelope: Pacing

• Minimizing Relapses

• Dealing with others

• Pacing for Travel & Special Events

• Stress

• Course Review

Shame and Trauma Group

Facilitators

Dr. Ric Arseneau

Prerequisite

You must have completed Core Group before participating in the Shame and Trauma Group.

90 minute weekly sessions for 6 months

This group explores takes a deep dive into shame, trauma, and post-traumatic growth

Shame and Trauma Group Course Outline

• Introduction

• Attachment and Attunement

• Book chapters:
  • The Language of Shame (Chap. 1)
  • The Nature of Shame (Chap. 2)
  • Sources of Shame (Chap. 3)
  • The Impact of Shame (Chap. 4)
  • Co-Narcissism

• Boundaries

• The Road to Mastery

• "Sorry"

• Behaviour Change and Chain Analysis

• Dialectics:

• Important concepts and tools

• Schemas and schema switching

• Secret vs private

• Wise Mind

• Projective identification

Hypermobile-Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Group

h-EDS Group:
Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders

Facilitators:
Judit Orban, Physiotherapist, Schroth Therapist
Dr. Ric Arseneau

60 minute weekly sessions for 15 weeks

This group explores the assessment and management of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders

h-EDS Group Course Topics

• Introduction

• Good pain or a bad pain? Understanding pain patomechanism and types of pain related to EDS/HSD

• Managing breathing dysfunction. the importance of nasal breathing and how the diaphragm works

• Managing acute subluxation or sprain

• Understanding fear of movement and how to improve proprioception, perception (muscle sensitization) and balance

• Orthotics, braces, support and mobility devices

• Exercises when ‘everything hurts’. The physiological benefit of lower load resistance training - and how to do it pain free.

• Strength training with persistent pain

Dr. Teresa Clarke

Dr. Clarke received her MD from UBC in 1981. She was a family physician before developing an interest in integrative medicine. She was certified in acupuncture in 1995 and in clinical hypnosis in 1998 and has facilitated fibromyalgia group programs teaching photo tools of self-hypnosis to improve health and well-being. She has included holistic integrative approaches throughout her medical career. Currently, she is a staff physician at the Complex Chronic Diseases Program at BC Women's Hospital

Dr, Clarke will be offering the following groups:

1. Holistic Approaches to Chronic Illness (7 sessions)

2. Brain Body Integration (6 sessions)

Holistic Approaches to Chronic Illness

90 minute weekly sessions for 7 weeks

Sessions:

1. Acupressure 1
2. Acupressure 2
3. Acupressure 3

In these 3 sessions you will learn how acupressure and other techniques based on eastern healing traditions can be utilized for your self-care with chronic illness. If you have reached an optimal level of medical management but still have symptoms affecting your quality of life, these sessions may help you to improve your well being and symptoms of chronic disease.

You will learn the history and principles of Chinese acupuncture and self-treatment techniques such as acupressure, ear massage, tapping, and chi gong breathing to improve your well being. These workshops are hands-on with simple instructions and demonstrations for you to actively engage in the techniques.

4. Alternative Therapies: A Common Sense, Evidence-Based Approach
5. Review of Acupressure and Alternative Therapies, Q&A discussion

If you are interested in alternative therapies because your chronic health challenges reduce your quality of life in spite of optimal medical management these 2 sessions will help you choose wisely to integrate evidence-based therapies into your foundation of self-care. The follow-up discussion session will provide opportunity for Q & A for both the Acupressure and Alternative Therapies sessions and participants will be able to learn from each others' experiences.

6. Holistic Approaches to Immune Health
7. Review/Final Session

This session will be helpful for those interested in supporting their immune health while living with chronic illnesses that may increase their risk of infection and risk of prolonged poor health after an infection. Holistic approaches may be added to medical treatments to prevent or reduce the severity of infection, and improve recovery of well being. Dr. Clarke will highlight lifestyle factors that optimize immune health; present some evidence based integrative approaches; and discuss the key elements of self-care to promote recovery from post infectious illnesses. The follow-up session will provide opportunity for Q & A and discussion.

Experiencing the power of self-hypnosis
to influence our health and well-being

Brain Body Integration

90 minute weekly sessions for 6 weeks
Pre-requisite: Holistic Approaches to Chronic Illness group must be completed first

This webinar workshop series takes a holistic integrative approach that is both educational and experiential. Each session includes simple practices of self-hypnosis related to the topics listed below to help improve symptoms and well-being while living with chronic illness.

Sessions:

1. Understanding the biology of the mind-body connection
2. Improving lifestyle habits, pacing and sleeping
3. Mastering stress reactivity
4. Calming pain
5. Exploring meaning and purpose
6. Engaging our spirit, singing our song

Alexandra Perel-Winkler, MD

Dr. Alexandra Perel-Winkler is Internal Medicine and Rheumatology trained physician with special interest in health, wellness and the intersection of science and spirituality. Her unique training includes Functional and Integrative medicine, Applied Quantum Biology, herbalist study, and study and training in animist/nature based spirituality and healing practices. Alexandra loves working with people on their healing journey and is continually humbled by what she learns from her patients and clients. When not working, Alexandra spends time with family and friends. She loves to be in nature, travel, read, experience art and live life to the fullest.

Dr. Perel-Winkler will be offering the following groups:

1. Central Sensitivity Syndrome Foundations (12 sessions)

2. Themes on Living with Complex Chronic Disease (10 sessions)

3. Mitochondrial Bootcamp (4 sessions)

4. Anatomy of a Healing Journey (4 sessions)

Central Sensitivity Syndrome Foundations

90 minute weekly sessions for 12 weeks

Dr. Alexandra compiles the most recent research and understanding of Central Sensitivity, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to help you understand the processes occurring in your body, possible precursors and imbalances in your system and tools to address them!

Group Topics

• Introduction to Central Sensitivity

• Pacing

• Surprise!

• Sleep

• Systemic Inflammation & Anti-inflammatory Lifestyle

• Central Nervous System inflammation & targeted therapies

• Stress & the HPA Axis

• Trauma

• Mitochondria & Pacing check-in

• Irritable Bowel

• Bladder irritability / Pacing Revisited

• Sum Up and Closing

Themes on Living with
Complex Chronic Disease

90 minute weekly sessions for 10 weeks

This is a non-didactic participatory class with Dr. Alexandra. The group aims to provide hope, inspiration, community and connection while tackling pertinent topics related to living and thriving with Complex Chronic Disease. We gather together to discuss themes related to living with Chronic Complex Disease which include but are not limited to acceptance vs. giving up, exploring vs. fixing, suffering vs. pain, emerging therapies, shifts in identity, relational challenges, self compassion, neuroplasticity, emotional regulation and alexithymia, spirituality vs bypassing and more.

Pre-requisite includes: willingness to participate and familiarity with concept of pacing.
Recommend Alexandra’s CSS Foundations or Dr. Arseneau’s Living with CCD before this group.

Mitochondrial Bootcamp

90 minute weekly sessions for 4 weeks

The mitochondria are well known to be the 'energy powerhouse of the cell', and more and more research points to the health of our mitochondria as the pivotal piece leading to health or disease. By incorporating cutting edge research in Quantum Biology and Integrative Medicine, Dr. Alexandra aims to create a fun and participatory experience where we learn about how to support our mitochondria and actually do it!

week 1- intro to mitochondria and your health
week 2 - All about light and it’s impact on bodily processes and the mitochondria
week 3 - optimizing the electron transport chain
week 4 - hot/cold, food, supplements and more

Pre-requisite includes: willingness to make small lifestyle changes during the course of the group

In this group we discuss the most recent and cutting edge research about the mitochondria and its function in both health and disease. We review what we know about the mitochondria and discuss methods to implement lifestyle changes to optimize mitochondrial health.

Anatomy of a Healing Journey

90 minute weekly sessions for 4 weeks

What is healing? How do I know if I'm making the right decisions for myself on this journey? Dr. Alexandra answers these questions and takes you through 4 core tools that are essential in successfully navigating your healing journey.

session 1:
The concept of a healing journey is introduced. Healing is not about becoming cured or fixed, but about evolution, growth, and transformation Tools are introduced that will be expanded on in future sessions.

Session 2:
Review of the concept of healing as a journey and delved into the details of the first 2 tools including embodiment and intuition. We discussed how regulating the nervous system and allowing oneself to be mindful and present with the body is essential for clear thinking and connectedness to self. We delved further into the concept of 'intuition' or inner wisdom. Empowering the listener to consider slowing down to listen within to guide their choices on their healing journey.

Session 3:
Discuss the tools of self compassion and health boundaries by reviewing research and ideas from experts in both these fields. Both tools are necessary to navigate one's life experience with autonomy .

Session 4:
Sum Up, Questions and Shares.

Having graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Masters of Occupational Therapy, and the University of Windsor with Honours in Psychology (focusing on neuroscience), Zara is now committed to patient centred and evidence-based care that is holistic and filled with compassion.

She is focused on building strong relationships with her clients; making sure each person knows they are going to receive the best possible care. For her, nothing is more fulfilling than to aide in someone’s recovery journey and witness them develop the skills needed to live their lives more autonomously. Zara has worked with a variety of ages and populations and has developed a strong skill set in traumatic brain injuries, mental health, chronic fatigue, long COVID and chronic pain.

When she is not practicing Occupational Therapy, Zara can be found adventuring through the mountains, playing music, trying out a new cookie recipe, meditating, crafting and volunteering.

Zara will be offering the following groups:

1. Rewiring the Nervous System (6 sessions)

2. Managing Chronic Pain (6 sessions)

3. Mind Body Connection (6 sessions)

Zara Dureno, BA Psych (MOT Occupational Therapist)

www.upliftvirtualtherapy.com
Social media: @upliftvirtualtherapy

Rewiring the Nervous System

60 minute weekly sessions for 6 weeks

Facilitator: Zara Dureno, BA Psych (MOT Occupational Therapist)

Nervous system dysregulation can impact every aspect of our lives. It can be the underlying factor in many disorders: Chronic fatigue Syndrome, Anxiety, PTSD, Chronic pain and much more.

Embark on a transformative journey with this dynamic course that delves deep into the intricate pathways of nervous system regulation. Discover cutting-edge insights and practical strategies to optimize neuroplasticity, empowering you to navigate and influence the complexities of the nervous system. Through a blend of theory and hands-on applications, this course will equip you with the skills to enhance your relationship to your nervous system and master the art of neuro modulation. Join us and unlock the potential to reshape neural pathways for better health and well-being.

The course will consist of lecturing and time to share your story and ask questions.

Managing Chronic Pain

60 minute weekly sessions for 6 weeks

Facilitator: Zara Dureno, BA Psych (MOT Occupational Therapist)

Chronic pain impacts millions of people world wide. In this 6 week pain course, we will learn what pain is, what it means and how to work with it. You will gain an understanding of the science behind pain, learn how to safely move with pain and be given researched techniques to learn to manage it. As someone who has recovered from chronic pain myself and as a practitioner, I am very passionate about this information as it has helped me immensely and has helped a lot of my clients. In the course, there will be 30-40 minutes of lecture time and 20-30 minutes of questions and sharing time. In this way, you can create community with other people who are also in pain and gain a network of support.

Mind Body Connection

60 minute weekly sessions for 6 weeks

Facilitator: Zara Dureno, BA Psych (MOT Occupational Therapist)

In this 6 week course we will explore the profound connection between your mind and body. You will gain valuable insights in working with your mind and body to reduce symptoms and participate more in your life. This course combines mindfulness practices, somatic techniques, and cognitive strategies to empower you in achieving balance, resilience, and overall well-being. Join us in a journey of restoring health.

Meditation + Energy Balancing

Show Up and Receive

60 minute weekly sessions for 5 weeks

Facilitator: Denise Askin
www.deniseelysa.com
Instagram: @deniseelysa
Facebook: @deenergybalancing

Join us for a new group offering designed for you to simply show up and receive.

Each week Denise will hold the space for you to intentionally land back in your bodies and hearts and invite your nervous systems to begin to gently return to a space of safety. Recognizing that we live in a society that so often asks us to ignore the whispers of our bodies and the calls of our souls, it is practically an act of rebellion to take intentional time for ourselves. Learning to reconnect with our true selves and creating the safety and space for our bodies to speak to us while expanding our capacity to listen to what they need is an important step on our path to healing.

We will begin each session with a shorter meditation to land in the space, in our bodies and in our hearts and connect with the powerful energy of the sacred circle we create by intentionally gathering in community. Following this, Denise will offer a combination of guided meditation and energy balancing. She will work with the energy field of the group throughout each session, supporting your bodies in accessing their own ability to heal. Energy healing or balancing therapies can support deep relaxation, pain relief, sleep, the healing process, clearing energetic blockages and stored trauma, becoming more attuned to your own inner guidance, and more.

The 5th class will be for integration with the possibility of more time for questions.

This group is designed to be gentle and appropriate for all levels of experience.

About Denise:

I did not become passionate about this work by accident. Meditation, spiritual and energy healing practices have given me tools, recovery, and resiliency beyond what I thought possible. The foundation of my work stems from my certifications in Therapeutic Touch® Level 1, Therapeutic Touch® Level 2, Applications of the Inner Processes of Therapeutic Touch® (previously Level 3), Past Life Regression Practitioner Certification, and multiple smaller intuitive development courses. I am acknowledged by the Therapeutic Touch International Association as meeting all criteria for each of their courses and am an insured member in good standing with the BC Therapeutic Touch Network Society. I adhere to and maintain the standard of ethics required by each of my certifications.

I am passionate about supporting others in the energy work and embodiment practices that have done so much for me, along with recognizing and unlearning the several societal and self-limiting beliefs that contributed to us getting sick in the first place. Gently inviting our nervous systems into a space of safety while building resiliency and expanding our capacities for staying present with what is, is all a part of learning how to live well, while unwell.

I am deeply honored to be able to offer this work to serve others. To be trusted by my clients and guests to hold the space and to use my intuitive gifts and many lifetimes of experience, education and practice, to work with them in both group and 1:1 settings, is something that my heart holds with the utmost care and integrity.

Yoga as Meditation of the Body
With Breath as the Essence

60 minute weekly sessions for 10 weeks

Facilitator: Janice Clarfield
www.urbanyoga.ca

Beneficial for both new and experienced meditators and yogis. Suitable for all ages and bodies.
Modifications will be provided for practicing in bed/sofa if not comfortable on a chair or on a cushion on the floor.

Prerequisite: Open mind and open heart

Calm the nervous system, quiet the mind and open the heart.
Access being as balanced and peaceful as possible in any situation.
Enhance concentration and memory.

Over the 10 weeks we will cover the following:

• Creating a sacred space wherever one practices

• Conscious Relaxation, Calm Abiding

• While Body Natural Breathing

• Gentle postures to alleviate tension, promote comfort, nourish life force

• Breath practices to diminish anxiety, insomnia, nausea

• Guided Meditations:
  • Working with discomfort/pain
  • Big Sky Mind awareness
  • RAIN (Recognize / Allow&Accept / Investigate/Inquire / Non-identify)
  • Visualization of the energy body and blessing the energy centres
  • Cultivating self-compassion
  • Cultivating gratitude

I appreciate and look forward to working with you.

About Janice:

Janice Clarfield has been an international teacher of meditation and yoga for more than 30 years. The intention of the work is to deepen experience, understanding and enjoyment while integrating physical, mental, emotional, energetic and spiritual well-being. In this way, the practice becomes a creative and healing art. The approach is gentle, integrative and contemplative.