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In a contemplative setting we will create a space to reflect on the nature of the empathic connection, to introduce the exciting concept of "Exquisite Empathy" (Harrison and Westwood, 2009), and to learn the skills that enable us to bring this practice into our lives and work.
This will be a time of deep renewal for all who are caregivers, whether professional or lay, and for those involved in social and environmental activism; indeed, for all who are working to alleviate the suffering of others and of the world, and so are at risk of "Burnout" and "Compassion Fatigue."
A prerequisite for the practice of Exquisite Empathy is self-awareness. The retreat is an opportunity to experience and to learn a number practices that lead to increased self-awareness and allow us to practice a form of engaged empathy that is mutually healing and replenishing. These include Mindfulness Meditation, Dreamwork and Reflective Journaling. The self-knowledge and self-awareness that come through these practices facilitate self-care and enable a more sensitively attuned and heartfelt connection with others. Mindfulness meditation helps to quiet the mind, open the heart and experience the ground of being. This is a discipline of the spriit.
12 CE’s for MFT and LCSW
Retreat Leaders:
Michael Kearney, MD, FRCPI has 30 years experience as a physician in end-of-life care. He trained and worked at St Christopher's Hospice in London and Our Lady's Hospice in Dublin. He is Medical Director of Palliative Care Service at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Associate Medical Director at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care. His particular interest is in psychological and existential aspects of end-of-life care and the therapeutic use of oneself in clinical practice. He has published two books which explore these issues.
Radhule Weininger, MD. PhD, trained as a physician in West Germany and practices as a clinical psychologist in Santa Barbara. She began her studies of Buddhist mindfulness meditation in Sri Lanka in 1981 and continues to study with Jack Kornfield using mindfulness meditation both as a personal practice and as a tool for healing. She has been exploring how dream-work and mindfulness meditation can work in complementary ways in the therapeutic process. She offers ongoing weekly meditation and dream groups.
Radhule and Michael with Richard Harrison and others, published an article in the JAMA March, 2009 on burnout, compassion fatigue, self care and the practice of "Exquisite Empathy."
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