4 Night Copper Beech Retreat

Cultivating Compassion in a World on Fire: An Intensive Residential Retreat for Mental Health Professionals and Caregivers

with Bill Morgan PsyD and Susan Morgan MSN, RN, CS

October 6-10

Copper Beech Institute

West Hartford, CT

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

PRE-REQUISITE: This retreat is designed specifically for therapists and caregivers who have previously worked with Bill and Susan. If you have not yet experienced their teaching and would like to attend, please email Bill at wdmorgan33@gmail.com before registering.

COVID: Vaccination required. Home test within 24 hours prior to arrival. Spacing and masks indoors. 

RETREAT DESCRIPTION: 

Seismic shifts catalyzed by a pandemic, racial violence, and the environmental crisis have changed the world. The sands underneath our feet are shifting. There is no going back; there is no stable normal; we must keep finding our way forward.

How can meditation practice be relevant during a time of unprecedented global upheaval? Right now, directed mindfulness practices, specifically compassion practices for the self, others and the world, can afford us the stability and heartfulness necessary to hold and navigate these challenging times.

These practices can be a source of grounding and nourishment for the heart that is tired, frightened, angry, depressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or grieving.

Our teaching is experience-near, focusing on mindfulness practices that are personally and interpersonally relevant, particularly in the delivery of accurate empathy and therapeutic presence.

We’ll discuss how to practice these practices ourselves to be more present and responsive in our personal lives and clinical work, as well as, how to share them with our clients in their efforts to creatively work with the distress of living in these volatile conditions.

Our time will be divided between daily mindfulness meditation instructions followed by guided meditations, with periods of sitting, standing and walking meditation each day; small group discussions and Q&A.

In order to facilitate a deeper contemplative experience, silence will be encouraged when we are not in the meditation hall together.

Let’s gather together and support one another as a community of kalyana mitta, spiritual friends.

 

CONTINUING EDUCATION: 

12 CEs available for those attending this program at no additional fee. (Scroll down for CE details below)

• To obtain CEs participants must attend all sessions
• CONTACT for CE related questions: Rene Fay, rene.fay@gmail.com

COST:

• The registration fee for the entire course is $530 which is includes private room with shared hall bath, all meals and access to the lovely facility and grounds.
• Teachings are offered on a dana basis (Bill and Susan will discuss more at the retreat).
• The meals are lovingly prepared comfort foods to feed the body and spirit, while satisfying the palate. This includes vegetarian and vegan selections at every meal, and gluten free options as often as possible.
• The first installment of $300 holds your space; the second installment of $230 is due by September 1st. After September 1st, you must pay in full.
• Scholarship information below.

For questions about the registration process, contact Bill and Susan's Dharma Assistant, Janine: BillandSusanMindfulness@gmail.com 

Scholarship assistance is available for this retreat. To apply, please send both Bill & Susan, wdmorgan33@gmail.com and stmorgan11@gmail.com, the following information:

Name:

Postal Address:

Email:

Name of Retreat & Dates:

Help us to understand your need for a scholarship at this time?

The DEADLINE for applying is two months prior to the start of the retreat.

CANCELLATION POLICY: 

• Your fee will be refunded, minus $75, if we are notified before August 1, 2022.
• Your fee will be refunded, minus $150, if we are notified between August 1st and September 1st.
• After September 1st, $250 will be refunded.

Cancellation situations arising around COVID will be handled on a case by case basis.

SCHEDULE OVERVIEW (Eastern Time): 

• Plan to arrive Thursday between 3:00 and 5:00 pm.
• Dinner will be served at 6:00 pm on Thursday.
• The retreat ends with lunch at 12 noon on Monday.
• Please try to stay for lunch on Monday!

CONTACT for CE related questions: Rene Fay, rene.fay@gmail.com

CE Learning objectives: 

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the three core components of mindfulness practice.
2. Identify the evolutionary roots and mechanisms of compassion toward self and other.
3. Demonstrate an experiential understanding of mindfulness and compassion interventions through personal practice.
4. Specify how a therapist can best choose which mindfulness exercises are most appropriate for different arousal states.
5. Describe how to use mindful movement to release anxiety-related tension.
6. Identify how mindfulness and compassion practices can enhance emotional regulation.
7. Discuss ways to assist clients to integrate mindfulness practice in their lives, especially during uncertain times.
8. Describe the use of mindfulness and compassion practices to support parasympathetic activation and calm sympathetic activation.
9. Specify contraindications for various mindfulness and compassion practices.

Bill and Susan Morgan offer continuing education credit through their affiliation with the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy.

Psychologists: The Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 12 hours of credit.

Licensed Mental Health Counselors: The Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6048. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This program is approved for 12 clock hours. It is also applicable for MaMHCA/MMCEP hours for re-licensure, in accordance with 262 CMR.

Social Workers: Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted. Please contact Rene Fay <rene.fay@gmail.com> for the status of social work CE accreditation.

Nurses: This program carries 12 contact hours and meets the specifications of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (244 CMR 5.00).