MINDFULNESS BASED RADICAL SELF CARE™

AN EIGHT WEEK PROGRAM

Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer and other serious diseases knows what a devastating and life altering experience this is. I think that the shock of it actually defies description. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Friday, April 13, 2007, I likened the experience to being slapped in the the face with a wet fish. (That would be a Twilight Zone moment!). My best friend, who was also battling breast cancer said, ‘It is the loneliest journey”, and indeed it is. No one but you knows the range of emotions that you are coping with. At times our friends and family get tired of hearing about our difficulties. They feel helpless in the face of our distress, and long for life to return to normal. (As do you, of course). You now have a new normal that may include invasive treatments, chemicals with terrible side effects, and ongoing difficulty in managing your life in the face of fighting for your life.

Presenting a structured, experiential eight week program that includes psycho-education and mindful meditation practices. The practice of mindful meditation allows us to pay close attention to the present moment, noting thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations with an attitude of curiosity and non-judgement. This non-reactive stance creates the possibility of working more wisely with feelings of sadness, fear, worry, self-judgement, and perfectionism.

The main “work” of the program is done at home between classes, using guided meditations and other experiential exercises designed to foster a stance of friendly interest and non-judgment to one’s moment by moment experiences. In class, participants will have an opportunity to talk about their experiences with the home practices, the obstacles that inevitably arise, and how to deal with those obstacles in a kind and skillful way.

Each class is organized around a specific theme that is explored through both mindfulness practice and group enquiry. Those specific themes are:

Letting Go of the Person You Used To Be

Learning to be Kind To Yourself.

Listening to Your Body - Includes Mindful Eating Exercises

Dealing with Difficult Emotions

Dealing with Difficult Thoughts

Caring For Ourselves Mentally, Emotionally, Physically, and Spiritually

Setting Healthy Boundaries

Customizing a Practice of Self-Compassion and Making the Practice Your Your Own

Attendance: Due to the unique structure of the program, one week builds on the other. While we know that things happen, it is vital, as best you can, to attend ALL sessions in order to receive the full benefit of the program. A lot of the positive effects of the class happen through the support and community with your fellow classmates

I want to make sure that this program will meet with your current needs.

A 15 minute, no charge, “meet and greet” with Susan is required prior to beginning the Program. This can be done on the phone or in person at Common Ground.

Please call Susan for more information and to register for the program: 714-313-5198.

Where: Program Address: Common Ground 550 B. N. Golden Circle Drive, Santa Ana, Ca. 92705

When: The Mindfulness Based Radical Self Care™ program begins at with a no charge introduction on Tuesday, May 12th from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. The 8 week program begins on Tuesday May 19th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm and will meet thereafter each Tuesday from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm and conclude on Tuesday July 7. (We will skip the day of June 23, as I will be attending a training).

Cost: The program, including all in-class handouts is $400.00.

Cancellations: We will refund the full fee minus a $30 administration fee if the cancellation is made at least seven days before the first class.

Once the class has begun, we will issue a refund for:

• 75% of the fee if notice is given after the first class
• 50% of the fee if notice is given after the second class

No refunds will be issued after the third class.

Materials: All handout will be distributed in class. A recommended reading list will be available at the introduction on Tuesday May 12.

Susan Faurot MSC, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. (CA Lic. # LMFT20800) She ran a successful private practice in Orange county for 21 years and has been working in a department of psychiatry at Kaiser-Permanente for the last 8 years. Susan has extensive experience in working with individuals and couples. She works with people who suffer from anxiety, depression, grief, medical illness, bipolar disorder and trauma. Susan has led groups for people with depression and bipolar disorder, and those dealing with issues of codependency. She is accustomed to using an integrative, mind-body approach to therapy. Susan also leads Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Anxiety and Depression programs and Mindfulness and Self Compassion programs.

e-mail: consciouspath@sbcglobal.net web: www.consciouspathinc.com

714-313-5198