Grief - Coaching, Resources, and more...
Our Grief Support offerings include:
People often respond to the idea of a grief & creativity practice by saying: I'm not creative; I'm not an artist; or I don't use art therapy in my practice. While art may be part of creative living, that is not all there is to it. It takes a lot of creativity to go from the moment of trauma, to move your body across time & space, learning to live life again in the face of loss, death, grief. My practice aims to facilitate your choice to live a radically creative life. Be it, finding a reason to get out of bed OR discovering what you are meant to do; finding your own way thru loss OR supporting your work caregiving to others -- all of this is part of my grief & creativity practice with you.
Grief & Creativity Coaching
Testimonials "Kara's contributions to a book I'm editing (They Were Still Born: Personal Stories of Stillbirth, Fall 2010 release by Rowman & Littlefield) about the connection of grief and creativity are inspiring. Her exuberant art and clear writing style make her a powerful voice in the field of pregnancy/infant loss." “... I will use these tools forever..." |
No-Bullshit heART Coaching for learning to live life again after a major loss
When a major loss happen, the trauma can change the ways we think, see the world, prioritize what is meaningful to us. Maybe you feel you need more time, but the world seems impatient? Maybe you have a lot more grieving to do, but others are demanding you get to acceptance now? In the changes, maybe you feel the major loss was just the first, and now other losses keep coming and you don't know why? Has the loss changed what you feel called to do in this world? heART Coaching can help you re-create and learn new skills for thriving again after loss!
This No-Bullshit heART Coaching is *not* just about art-making (unless you happen to be interested in that as an outlet), but rather customized to address your specific needs and desires. After all, in the no-bullshit-speak of grief, it takes a lot of creativity to figure out why you should get out of bed the day after your child has died. THAT is not about art-making, but rather about heart-making!
To read more about what heART Coaching is and how it might apply to you, click here...
In the face of grief, we have a choice...
You are your own best advocate. Grief sucks. We might feel helpless, especially when others seem so lousy at supporting us. But others cannot even begin to help us until we learn to advocate for ourselves. When we learn to articulate our experiences and explore our needs, we learn to live again in the face of loss and mortality. This is not about "pulling yourself up by your boot straps" when you don't have straps. This is about choosing to explore creatively even when - especially when - things feel messy, lousy, lost, unknow-able. You will not have the answers. You do not need the answers ultimately. You need only say YES to the invitation to begin exploring grief & life in a radically creative way.
Below is a Top Ten list to get you started today. Follow the links, explore the ideas, see if working with Coach Kara and her creative materials seems like a right-fit for you.
- Try a process like Tapping to explore thoughts, self talk, overwhelming emotions. You can get a free PDF guide by clicking here. Or see this series of wonderful videos by clicking here.
- Working through a process like The Work can always help to shift perspective. You may not come out of it with *the* answer, but you'll find lots of openings for alternative options for your original thoughts. You can get free copy of The Work's worksheet by clicking here.
- Check out the Creative Prompts on the KOTA blog for ideas on expressing your story, gaining understanding of self-story, finding new perspectives. Or come explore grief & creativity with us online in one of our groups: Facebook or LinkedIn.
- Explore the articles in the Kota Press Loss Journal. You'll find resources to support grief experiences of parents, grandparents, siblings, caregivers learning to live life after the death of a child. Many of the ideas posted there can apply to loss process regardless of circumstance.
- Learn a new language. In the aftermath of grief, we often find language as we knew it is now inadequate for expressing our experiences. Check out the Dictionary of Loss at Kota Press for redefinitions. Consider how your language is redefined now and contact us to add your words/definitions to the Dictionary.
- Sometimes an inspirational video is just the thing I need. While these videos might help me smile or shift perspective, often they help me shed tears. When I'm most stuck, it's because I'm not letting the feeling flow. Watcing videos like these help my heart break open. Try watching Matt Dancing Around The World or Free Hugs.
- Try a scent. Vitamin C can help to lift the spirits, but I've also worked with an herbalist who suggested that even just sniffing the scent of lemons or oranges can help shift mood. For me personally, bergamot oranges are like gold! Not just the oranges, but the essence of them used in Earl Grey Teas, like the Triple Bergamot blent from Todd Holland or the oil of the fruit from Nature's Alchemy. Sometimes nothing soothes me as much as a hot bath with a few drops of Bergamot oil.
- Make a conscious choice to explore the heART of Life & Death with our Home Workshop. Upon registration, you get full access to six weeks of material. Whether you register or not, you can access the free MP3 discussion with creative prompts for learning to redefine "normal" after a loss has changed your life.
- Access online support via the MISS Foundation Forums. You have to register to participate and then you'll gain access to group support for topics like: Parental Board, Family Members Board, Dad's Place, Grandparents' Support, Creation Station, Pediatric Hospice, Miscarriage Support, Infertility Struggles, Adoption Options, Permanent Infertility, Siblings Board, Subsequent Pregnancy Support, The Kindness Project, and more.
- Host a Retreat Day for you and a few friends. Here at Mother Henna we offer facilitation for personal rituals, integration, memorial, celebration. We specialize in offering retreat themes such as sibling reunions, team building, grief & healing with bereaved parents, care for the caregiver, self-care day for bridal parties, blessingway for mom and birthing team, small group Hero's Journey, and Girlfriend Days.
Retreat Days
Testimonials
"[Kara's] henna art IS such healing work!" ~henna art night participant
"Our one day retreat with Kara was just perfect... we wanted a way to celebrate motherhood and to remember our children who have died... [Kara] helped us discuss both love and grief... we all carried the magic of our henna designs into the following week of our everyday lives, too!"
~K.B., Washington, henna retreat participant
Our facilitated Retreat Days can include any of the following: Intuitive, improvised, henna design; Spot Reiki and/or Tapping; Tea, coffee, pot-luck & shared snacks for half day retreats, or catered lunch for full day retreats; Art-making; Grief & Creativity group; Non-denominational ritual; Guided visualization & meditation; Readings with 1,000 Faces deck.
Expression of Appreciation:
$350 for 3 hour/half day retreat (maximum 10 people, our or your Vashon location)
$650 for 7 hour/full day w/ catered meal (max. 10 people, our or your Vashon location)Contact Kara to arrange your facilitated Retreat Day: email or call 206-251-6706
Notes on Facilitated Retreat Days
* If we travel off Vashon for your retreat, travel fees may be additional.
* If you arrange/reserve location, you assume all responsibility for cost/liability insurance for that location.
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If your retreat is to include henna body art, please note the following: We only offer all-natural henna, NEVER black henna. Most photos show paste still on skin, but that is not black! Our henna paste is hand-mixed by us using the freshest ingredients possible, so we know exactly what it contains. All our henna pastes include an EO, usually lavender. If you are extra-sensitive to fragrances, please tell us that before your appointment. We will not henna children under age 10. Will will not henna anyone who has blood or liver complications. Pregnant moms must be FULL term if getting belly henna'd!
Henna in Private Sessions
Embrace the radical creativity of henna bodyART for ritual, healing, integration, celebration!
Expression of Appreciation:
$35 for half-hour
private session for one person, one artist
$70 for one-hour split between two people, one artist
See drop down menu for pregnant belly or bridal session reservation.
For groups, please see our Retreat information.
Schedule your private session today:
A private henna session with Mother Henna includes: an exploration of personal meaning; an intuitive, improvised, one-of-a-kind design; Reiki energyART; a spot of tea; aftercare instruction. Sessions take place at our Vashon Studio, Vashon Tea Shop, Cafe Luna, or other Vashon venue.
Henna Notes
* Pregnant moms must be FULL term!
* Most pregnant bellies take 2 hours session minimum.
* Bridal gloves/stockings take 3 hours session minimum.
*
We only offer all-natural henna, NEVER black henna. Most photos show paste still on skin, but that is not black!
* Our henna paste is hand-mixed by us using the freshest ingredients possible, so we know exactly what it contains. All our pastes include an EO, usually lavender. If you are extra-sensitive to fragrances, please tell us that before your appointment.
* We will not henna children under age 10.
* Will will not henna anyone who has blood or liver complications.
Henna on Instruments
Expression of Appreciation: $45 per 10 inch length or diameter
We offer custom henna for instruments. Henna stains best on unfinished wood and/or skin head. I'm glad to experiment with paper heads or other material, as long as you are equally willing to know it is an experiment! You'll need to plan for leaving your instrument with us for a couple of weeks. If you are shipping to us from a distance, you need to include return postage cost in the package when you send it.
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Grief Coaching & creative arts do not necessarily replace needs you may have for concurrent care.
Please take responsibility for your best possible self-care!