Healing Resources for Helpers

As helpers it takes incredible focus and energy to truly show up for those who need our care and guidance. The compassion and sensitivity that we embody can create a susceptibility to vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, burn out, and moral injury. Building awareness of the need for balance or caring safely as a helper takes experience, mentorship, and a self-compassionate approach to, at times managing the unmanageable, especially in times of cut-backs, employer demands, and escalating trauma.

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Self-compassion involves acting the same way towards yourself when you are having a difficult time, fail, or notice something you don’t like about yourself. Instead of just ignoring your pain with a “stiff upper lip” mentality, you stop to tell yourself “this is really difficult right now,” how can I comfort and care for myself in this moment? Instead of mercilessly judging and criticizing yourself for various inadequacies or shortcomings, self-compassion means you are kind and understanding when confronted with personal failings – after all, who ever said you were supposed to be perfect?

This is the human condition, a reality shared by all of us. The more you open your heart to this reality instead of constantly fighting against it, the more you will be able to feel compassion for yourself and all your fellow humans in the experience of life.

- Dr. Kristen Neff

Our Approach

The Golden Flower approach to supporting our fellow helpers offers a combination of evidence-based psychotherapy, as well as a personalized holistic treatment plan.

Community Partners

Depending on assessed needs and expressed goals, recommended modalities can include Traditional Chinese Medicine and other integrative health approaches such as naturopathic care

Support for the Front Line

Fear and sensitivity to judgment can be a barrier to getting the right kind of help at the right time. We have been supporting first responders, nurses, social workers, teachers, and other folks on the front-lines for years.

Personal Experience & Growth

We have personally experienced burn-out and vicarious trauma and have learned how to expand the team to amplify the healing impact of integrative care. For example, we are learning how somatic healing and yin yoga can have an incredible impact on calming one's traumatized nervous system.

Our approach focuses an accurate assessment of compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and burn-out to create a baseline and guidance for treatment
proquol.org

Compassion satisfaction is simply about the pleasure you derive from being able to do your work well. Compassion fatigue often enters when we lose hope of progress and lack needed supports to care safely and function at a humane pace. Dr. Gabor Maté teaches us how the root is often self-compassion fatigue
drgabormate.com

You are a precious resource that requires replenishment, self-compassion, and protection.

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Upcoming Event!

In honour and appreciation for National Social Work Month:
Yin Yoga for Healing for child protection social workers

This 2 hour Yin Yoga for Healing Workshop is curated specifically for child protection social workers. I have supported youth and families in Nova Scotia as a contracted support worker and therapist since the 90’s. I am attuned to your needs and encourage those interested to email me directly to share their thoughts to ensure the best experience possible.

The goal is for participants to secure time for a deeply relaxing and enjoyable experience that speaks to the weary parts of the mind, body, and soul. Guided meditations, simple somatic healing techniques, and Yin Yoga poses (asanas) are all designed to download a sense of calm and competence in a exceptionally private studio.

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The guiding mantra is

I am a precious resource.

Location:

4694 Trunk 7, Porters Lake with good parking.
It is right across the street from the Porters Lake Community Center with even more parking

Much gratitude to Maria Payne, RMT with
KinFolk Haven Wellness Centre

Registration & Fees:

Cost is $100 (negotiable sliding scale) and includes a detailed personalized workbook and refreshments at break. Please note this activity can be applied towards NSCSW professional development hours for vicarious trauma and self-care

Due to limited studio space for 14 students we are opening this healing offering up to
HRM Department of Opportunities and Social Development Employees (DOSP).

Please do not delay in emailing Christina Wilson at balanceforliving@live.com to express interest and get important information such as the simplicity of payment, yoga items to bring, and if you have allergies or sensitivities to foods or mild aromatherapy. We encourage extremely comfortable clothing. Folks on medical leave are encouraged to attend as this workshop is all about safety, trust, connecting with yourself, and very gently connecting with others.

Two-business days/48 hours notice cancellation is required