Life Skills Program
We provide quality psychological and multi-disciplinary groups, classes and retreats in conjunction with area professionals.
Life-Skills Classes & Retreats ADULTS & TEENS RAISE YOUR SELF-ESTEEM with Donna Price, LPC – These 90 min. classes for adults explore factors that determine self-esteem, how to raise it, negative self-talk, creating an accurate self-image, and education vs. therapy. Fee: $35 CREATIVITY, EMOTION & INTUITION: A DAY OF DISCOVERY with Dr. Di Francesco. Explore, gain insight, express emotions, expand your senses and your creativity through visualization, journaling, sand tray, and art. For adults and older teens. Fee is $75, including art supplies. CHILDREN
SOCIAL SKILLS FOR GIRLS – For 7–12 year old girls to focus on awareness, perceptions, behavior, and relating to peers in more socially accepted ways. This six-wk, 1 hr per wk class will include fun activities, discussion and role-playing. Fee is $75. Call for dates and times. PARENTS
PARENTING PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AGES 0-5 This 2-hr. workshop will focus on the most common parenting dilemmas, including feeding/mealtime, bedtime, toilet training, as well as effective discipline strategies. It will also provide parents with information about developmentally appropriate activities and daycare/preschool choice/placement. Fee: $45 ISSUES IN SEPARATION, DIVORCE, AND CO-PARENTING with Kate Strand, Ph.D. – This 2-hr. workshop will focus on ways to support children and minimize negative effects as you navigate separation/divorce, and maintain your role as effective and supportive co-parents. Fee: $45 MIND - BODY - BRIDGES
Connect the Dots... MIND BODY STRATEGIES TO MANAGE STRESS
What is the mind/body connection and what role does it play in shaping our health? In this workshop, you learn simple techniques to improve your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Explore how ancient practices paired with modern-day knowledge help you master relaxation and the challenges of everyday life. This workshop features:
 IMAGERY: Heighten your senses & the pictures in your mind with Tony Di Francesco, Ph.D.
QIGONG:Awaken Internal Energy with Dr. Roz Skzrypek, D.C., L.Ac.
MEDITATION: Explore your sacred space with Monika Rice, M.S.
TAI CHI: The power of ease with Pat Christopherson, B.A., N.C.M.T.
Connect the dots...and DISCOVER!
For essential reptition and practice, retreats are offered several times a year. Fee: $95. One and two-day retreats will be offered in the fall/winter. THE ANATOMY OF STRESS with Kate Strand, Ph.D. and Tony Di Francescco, Ph.D. Explore the connections among the physiology of stress, our individual symptoms, the social nature of the brain, and our behavioral choices. Gain information and skills to improve daily living in the face of persistent stress. This workshop examines how beliefs, attitudes, images, breathing patterns, and physical states influence our perceptions. This practical and interactive retreat includes an opportunity for each participant to experience bio-feedback. Fee: $85. This workshop is a useful adjunct to the Mind-Body Strategies Workshop. FLEX YOUR MIND & YOUR BODY with Stephanie Fellenberg, Psy.D., Todd Wills, LPC, and Tony Di Francescco, Ph.D. For decades, research has shown that physical activity can lift our spirits and mood as well as channel our anxieties and fears. Through mini-lectures, group problem solving, positive attitudes, nutrition tips, walks around the pond, and simple toning movements with canned goods, learn how to better flex your mind and body for life. This is a four session commitment. Fee: $95. EMPOWERMENT: SELF DEFENSE TRAINING AND PEER SUPPORT Learn how to create and maintain boundaries. Four hours of verbal and physical self-defense training with Jule and Mark Fletcher at their academy followed by a support group session with Kate Strand, Ph.D. or Tony Di Francesco, Ph.D. Also, one follow-up group a week later. (Psychotherapy support groups may be covered by your insurance). BRAIN IMPACT AND YOUR CHOICES with Kate Strand, Ph.D. Includes (1) an overview of the brain, mood control, attention, planning, memory and emotional attachment, as well as (2) guidelines for life choices that will encourage effective brain functioning in relationships and work performance. Fee: $35. CHRONIC PAIN AND/OR FIBROMYALGIA with Kate Strand, Ph.D. and Dr. Chapman, D.C., a local chiropractor - meet quarterly for teaching, learning, and sharing. Fee: $20. Call for dates. OVERVIEW OF EMDR (EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING Effective treatment for PTSD, performance enhancement, grief trauma, and pain management iwth Kate Strand, Ph.D. This introductory workshop witll describe the process of EMDR and how it is used to integrate important experiences. Fee: $35. ANCIENT APPROACHES TO MODERN HEALTH A rare opportunity to join four holistic practitioners and learn different ways to increase mind-body awareness, relaxation, healing and health. For beginners as well as experienced.
SUBTLE ENERGY MEDITATION with Monika Rice, MS, holistic health coach. A multi-dimentional approach to quiet the mind and explore the subtle forces inside.
IMAGERY and BIO-FEEDBACK with Dr. Di Francesco, Clinical Psychologist with 25+ yrs. visualization experience. Practical exercises to heighten the senses and increase awareness. Four types of imagery presented - Insight, Relaxation, Mind-Body and Guided.
TAI CHI with Pat Christopherson, BA, NCMT of Able Hands. Sometimes called a “moving meditation,” it is a physical exercise that offers a gentle and unique path to healing and health.
QIGONG with Roz Skrzypek, D.C., L.Ac., Chiropractor and Acupuncturist of Able Hands. QiGong is a simple yet powerful system that uses breath and movement to circulate energy and improve health.Repetition and practice is essential so these retreats will be offered throughout the year (with some exciting changes) so they can be taken again. Two-day retreats provide more in-depth learning. $150. BACK BONES – THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION with Dr. Di Francesco and Dr. Ross Weinberg D.C., a local chiropractor. Medical and psychological aspects of proper body mechanics, how to strengthen muscles to better support joints, heal from injuries, cope with pain/discouragement and cultivate a decent sense of humor. Call for info. EMPOWERMENT: SELF DEFENSE TRAINING AND PEER SUPPORT - Learn how to create and maintain boundaries. Four hours of verbal and physical self-defense training with Julie and Mark Fletcher at their academy followed by a support group session with Dr. Strand and/or Dr. Di Francesco. Also, one follow-up group a week later. Fee is $125. (Psychotherapy support groups may be covered by your insurance). CHRONIC PAIN AND/OR FIBROMYALGIA with Dr. Strand and Dr. Chapman, D.C., a local chiropractor – meet monthly for teaching, learning and sharing. Fee is $30. BRAIN IMPACT AND YOUR CHOICES with Dr. Strand. Includes (1) an overview of the brain, mood control, attention, planning, memory and emotional attachment, as well as (2) guidelines for life choices that will encourage effective brain functioning in relationships and work performance. Fee is $35. OVERVIEW OF EMDR (EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING): Effective treatment for PTSD, performance enhancement, grief, trauma, and pain management, with Dr. Strand. This introductory workshop will describe the process of EMDR and how it is used to integrate important experiences. Fee is $35 | 
