The death of friends and family is a sad and inevitable part of life. No matter the circumstances, loss can be deeply impactful — emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially. Grief is not a linear process and it can show up in many forms; from sadness, anger, and yearning to numbness, confusion, or even guilt. For many people, the grieving process can feel overwhelming and isolating, especially when they are unsure of what to expect or how to navigate their feelings.
It has been said that “grief shared is halved” and, while sharing does not remove the pain, it can make it feel more manageable. This program offers a safe, supportive space to connect with peers who understand the experience of loss first-hand. Being with others who “get it” can help normalize grief, reduce feelings of loneliness, and provide comfort through shared understanding.
Participants at the Nature of Grief island retreat will be encouraged to move at their own pace, whether that means speaking openly, listening quietly, or simply being present. Each day will offer a variety of educational and reflective periods, group processing work, and activities to inspire the release of pain, the honouring of loved ones, and the expansion of one's capacity for living joyfully.
The Nature of Grief: Time Away from the Noise
Explore the ways a person interacts with grief through the context of Narrative Therapy. Participants will come to understand the deeper meanings of their grief and be invited to honour their loss through a creative project of their choice - to be shared with the group near the end of the 4-day experience.
Experience:
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Educational Seminars
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Group Therapeutic Exploration
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Reflective and Restorative Practices
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Creative Expression
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Ecotherapy
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Contextually-driven Cinematic Experiences
** Bring your instruments, art supplies, photographs, or any other creative tools to help express your grief and re-establish your place in a fundamentally changed world.
Meet the Team
Michael Kahn is a counsellor, educator and former attorney. He is a counsellor with the Lawyers Assistance Program of British Columbia where he sees individual clients and facilitates bereavement and loss groups. Michael also facilitates bereavement groups for Lumara Grief and Bereavement Care Society in Vancouver, BC and for many years co-led “Empty Arms”: groups for parents experiencing a pregnancy loss or newborn death for KinderMourn in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Michael wrote the chapter “Saying Goodbye: Loss and Bereavement” in Cinemeducation, Volume 2: Using Film and Other Visual Media in Graduate and Medical Education. He is also co-founder of ReelTime Creative Learning Experiences which provides continuing education programs on grief, ethics, well-being, and EDI, for lawyers, mental health professionals and others throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Sean Szutka, MPCC-Prov., has a wealth of knowledge gained through broad work experiences in the service, technology, arts, and finance sectors. These diverse experiences deeply influence his private counselling practice: A Bigger Picture Wellness. Sean’s therapeutic work focuses on grief & loss, relationships, identity, and life transitions. He co-facilitates a monthly Death Café in North Vancouver, an accessible space for community members to support each other in their stories of loss. Sean is also a certified Life Skills Coach, focusing on goal setting, creativity, and emotional self-regulation.
Goals and Objectives
"The Nature of Grief: Time Away from the Noise" has been specifically structured to achieve the following aims:
Goals
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Help participants feel seen, heard, and validated in their grieving experience.
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Introduce and share memories about their loved one in a warm and welcoming environment.
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Increase understanding of the grief process and what individuals may encounter along the way.
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Build coping strategies and emotional resilience during and after loss.
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Promote healing through connection, compassion, and community.
Objectives
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Provide a safe, respectful, and supportive environment without judgment, rushing, or pressure to perform.
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Normalize the wide range of emotions and reactions associated with loss.
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Reduce feelings of isolation by fostering peer connection and shared understanding.
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Encourage healthy expression of grief through discussion, reflection, and mutual support.
The Nature of Grief: Time Away from the Noise
Explore the ways a person interacts with grief through the context of Narrative Therapy. Participants will come to understand the deeper meanings of their grief and be invited to honour their loss through a creative project of their choice - to be shared with the group near the end of the 4-day experience.
Experience:
-
Educational Seminars
-
Group Therapeutic Exploration
-
Reflective and Restorative Practices
-
Creative Expression
-
Ecotherapy
-
Contextually-driven Cinematic Experiences
** Bring your instruments, art supplies, photographs, or any other creative tools to help express your grief and re-establish your place in a fundamentally changed world.
Retreat Benefits
Each of the therapeutic aspects built into the retreat has a number of benefits inherent in them. When utilized in collaboration with each other, the effects are exponentially potent.
Psychoeducation
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A deeper understanding of the grief process and what individuals may encounter along the way.
Group Work
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A safe, supportive, and respectful environment with trained and experienced facilitators.
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Shared understanding and validation of your emotions and reactions with fellow participants who “get it.”
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Reduced feelings of isolation.
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Healing is nurtured through compassion and connection.
Reflection and Integration
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Creative Project: A tangible representation of your grief journey that honours your loved one.
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Cinema Therapy: Watch movies to help you access and understand layers of grief beyond conscious awareness.
Ecotherapy
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Bringing your grief to nature can give you solace.
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Studies have shown that viewing blue space (places with water) can lower psychological distress.
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Studies show that being in nature can reduce rumination and increase positive reflective thoughts.
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The evidence for nature’s mental health benefits is so strong that the Canadian Medical Association has endorsed prescribing nature to some patients (PaRx).
Retreat Daily Schedule
7:00 - 8:30
Yoga and Reflection
8:30 - 10:00
Breakfast
10:00 - 12:00
Presentation
12:00 - 1:30
Lunch
1:30 - 3:30
Community Circle
3:30 - 5:00
Reflection and Rest
5:00 - 6:30
Dinner
6:30 - 9:30
Activity and Discussion
The Nature of Grief: Time Away from the Noise
Explore the ways a person interacts with grief through the context of Narrative Therapy. Participants will come to understand the deeper meanings of their grief and be invited to honour their loss through a creative project of their choice - to be shared with the group near the end of the 4-day experience.
Experience:
-
Educational Seminars
-
Group Therapeutic Exploration
-
Reflective and Restorative Practices
-
Creative Expression
-
Ecotherapy
-
Contextually-driven Cinematic Experiences
** Bring your instruments, art supplies, photographs, or any other creative tools to help express your grief and re-establish your place in a fundamentally changed world.
About Mayne Island Resort
The Mayne Island Resort is situated at one of the most beautiful resort locations in the Gulf Islands: the eastern shore of Mayne Island. Relax, unwind, reconnect, take a walk along the beach and out to the point through a seaside grove of giant wind twisted arbutus. To top it off, all of their cottages, villas and inn rooms have waterfront views of the Straight of Georgia.
The Mayne Island Resort is nestled at the far edge of a cliff-side meadow and is surrounded by stands of mature fir, pine, and arbutus trees. This provides a spectacular view of Bennett Bay and the National Heritage Park of Campbell Point and beyond.
Resort Amenities
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Dining: The Arbutus Grill and The Nook Café
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Pool, Hot-tub, and Steam Room
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Many units include private, fully equipped kitchenettes
** Please connect directly with Mayne Island Resort to book your accommodations. **
Yoga
Each full day of the retreat, a 1-hour yoga class will be offered to all participants.
Massage
During each "Reflection" time, we invite you to soothe your nervous system with a massage. Please note that this service is not provided by the retreat organizers; the cost of these treatments will be borne by the individual participant.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Nature of Grief: Time Away from the Noise
Explore the ways a person interacts with grief through the context of Narrative Therapy. Participants will come to understand the deeper meanings of their grief and be invited to honour their loss through a creative project of their choice - to be shared with the group near the end of the 4-day experience.
Experience:
-
Educational Seminars
-
Group Therapeutic Exploration
-
Reflective and Restorative Practices
-
Creative Expression
-
Ecotherapy
-
Contextually-driven Cinematic Experiences
** Bring your instruments, art supplies, photographs, or any other creative tools to help express your grief and re-establish your place in a fundamentally changed world.