Compassion Fatigue Solutions

To book Françoise: If you are planning a winter/spring event for your team, to avoid disappointment it is preferable to book at least 4 months ahead as I tend to get very busy in the spring (March in particular as it is year end for most agencies.) If you are last minute, do still email me as I may have a slot for you. I am mostly available on Mondays and Fridays. Email me: whp at cogeco.ca for speaker's kit with rates and details and to set up a time to talk about your agency's needs.

If you are further afield and hope to reduce costs, check when I might already be in your community and consider scheduling your event close to dates when I am already in town.

*Maximum 20 participants*

Some past participants of our one day Compassion Fatigue workshop (Walking the Walk -WtheW) expressed an interest in receiving help in designing a workshop to bring back to their communities and developing skills and knowledge base to deliver compassion fatigue workshops themselves. This train the trainer workshop offers tools, handouts, strategies, training material and marketing strategies to adapt WtheW to your community's specific needs (and to your own presentation style). Click here for more info or email whp at cogeco.ca

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For an extensive list of upcoming workshops in Canada and some US events, visit www.cavershambooksellers.com "North America's Largest Mental Health Bookstore"

I would highly recommend:

-Natalie Zlodre's Certificate in Trauma Counselling for Front-Line Workers: www.hincksdellcrest.org/gai-trauma

-Any presentation by John Briere (Trauma Specialist)

-Scott Miller ("therapist, lecturer and trainer on client-directed, outcome-informed clinical work and other time-sensitive therapeutic approaches") www.talkingcure.com

-Martin Antony, Anxiety specialist: www.martinantony.com

-Les Greenberg, Emotion-Focused Therapy: www.emotionfocusedtherapy.org

-I am currently reading (slowly, to savour it) Anne Michael's new book "The Winter Vault". Exquisite writing.

-I have been reading more about the raw food movement and some of the health benefits of eating raw, at least some of the time. I can't say my family has embarked on the flax and hemp seed bandwagon but I have seen dramatic improvements in the low blood sugar problems I used to have. I mostly have encountered rather puzzled looks when discussing this way of eating but the proof is in the (raw) pudding, isn't it?

-Ridiculous little things that made me laugh today: sitting having breakfast at the rather posh Royal York Hotel in Toronto, a business man in a sharp suit who could very well have stepped out of an episode of "Mad Men" sits down next to me and devours a heaping bowl of fruit loops. Maybe it's just me, but that completely cracks me up.

Walking against the current at Union Station (on my way to catch a morning train to Kingston) as thousands of people are coming off the commuter trains to get to work. People are very polite, so you don't get shoved or anything, but you do get some strange stares (as in "Hey, you're going the wrong way!"). Made me feel like a non conformist for two seconds.

-This summer, I really enjoyed reading "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: a Year of Eating Locally" by Barbara Kingsolver. An inspiring book that encourages us to buy our food more locally and explains why organic farming is far better for the planet regardless of whether or not it is better nutritionally.

-Recently read "Three Cups of Tea" a story of an American who raised funds to build over fifty schools in north Pakistan. A moving, inspiring book.

-Re-read the beautiful and mouthwatering cookbooks and travelogues by Naomi Duguid and Jeffrey Alford: Hot Sour Salty and Sweet, Seductions of Rice and Flatbreads & Flavors. Even if you never cook a single recipe from these books, they are travel diaries and fascinating accounts by a couple who loves and deeply respects people from all parts of Asia and the foods that come from the various regions of this part of the world.

-Recently read "How the Brain Changes Itself" a new book on the plasticity of the brain. This is a well written and easy to read book even for non neurological folks.

-"Sweetness in the Belly" by Camilla Gibb. A riveting account of a woman's journey in war-torn Ethiopia. Presents the muslim faith as a religion of beauty and dignity. Very touching.

-Paper airplanes: Have a look at this graphic designer mom who researched paper airplanes and wrote this funny amusing blog complete with instructions: www.easy-paper-airplanes.com
Take a few minutes out of your busy day and make a paper airplane!

-Visit wwwbensloetjes.com, admire Ben's beautiful artwork and read about his journey. I would like to send Anita, Ben's mom, my warmest regards and most profound respect.

-Take a look at A Photo a Day from Planet Earth "Where there will be a picture posted daily taken somewhere on this Planet. " planetearthdailyphoto.blogspot.com

-Visit www.quiltsofgeesbend.com and read about these amazing Alabama women who have worked as a collective for years, quilting incredible works of art in spite of years of adversity and illiteracy. If you ever have a chance to catch the PBS special on this collective, I highly recommend you take a few minutes out of your day and watch it.

-Did you know that duct tape is a foolproof way to prevent blisters on your heels during a long hike? This was tested by an intrepid hiker in Gros Mornes Provincial Park, NFLD on a week-long trek. Go duct-tape!