POETRY AND POET-CHI:
A WRITING RETREAT TO RE-VITALIZE YOUR LIFE
at The Kirkridge Retreat Center in the Poconos, Pennsylvania
with Sherry Reiter
Friday, August 17- Sunday August 19th, 2012
In this writing get-away, spirituality is grounded to the concrete world of earth (stability), air (breath), fire (passion) and water (movement and emotion) in a beautiful setting called The Kirkridge Retreat Center in the Poconos, Pennsylvania, only one and a half hours from Manhattan.
In ancient Asian medicine, it is believed that there is a circulating life energy (chi) inherent in all things. When the flow of energy is disturbed, the life flow is interrupted and healing is necessary. In Jin-shin-jyutsu, for example, when tender pressure points are gently held, the life pulse returns. So it is with poetry and writing. When we apply our attention– through words and silence—to tender points in the psyche, the flow of energy that has been blocked emotionally returns and we are able to move past obstructions and “stuck” points of energy. Through story, writing and poetry, we study the places where “lock-downs” occur and work to release stuck energy and move forward.
The backdrop is a magical “back-to nature” setting far from the madding crowd and close to the Appalachian trails and a beautiful labyrinth for meditation. Simple dorm-style accommodations. Chef-prepared breakfasts and dinners, with special accommodations for vegans, diabetics, and any special needs.
What are the nine breaths of life? What are the 7 emotional keys that unlock the doors of emotional energy? What six principles of paradox and opposition promote growth and healing, and help us to move ahead in alignment with our own values and goals?
Please note: Although we will have opening and closing exercises to tune in to breath and the body, this retreat is about writing, and not tai-chi or chi-kong. It is about writing to gently energize and move past obstructions in our paths, tapping our creativity for re-generation and renewal.
EARLY BIRD RATE—REGISTER BY JUNE 1, 2012
Prior to JUNE 1: $490.00 * After JUNE 1: $530.00 * Limited places. Reserve now.
DATES/TIMES:
Starts approximately 3 p.m. on Friday, August 17th – Sunday, August 19, 5 p.m.
IN TRAINING?: Register for Super Summer Supervision Sunday –Monday for an additional $150 (saving you $350 compared to individual supervision!)
REGISTRATION: For registration form, please e-mail Sherry at sherryreiter@yahoo.com
QUESTIONS? E-Mail or call Sherry at 718-998-4572
Past Seminars:
CALLING WORD LOVERS AND HELPING PROFESSIONALS
TO A RETREAT & TRAINING THAT WILL SPARK YOUR SOULEUREKA!
GET THEE TO THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS
for POETRY THERAPY TRAININGCOME GATHER AROUND THE CAMPFIRE!
We found the perfect place for our retreat—right outside of Asheville, North Carolina. Discover how literature is a catalyst to self-discovery and creative delight. Let the wisdom of poetry and healing story renew the expressive voice that lives within you. At the same time, learn about this dynamic tool called poetry therapy that is invaluable in the fields of education, therapy, and rehabilitation and can be used with many different populations. No need to be a professional writer-- just a person who likes writing, reading and sharing.
Two seminars will be offered in August: POETRY THERAPY I: TOWARDS SELF-KNOWLEDGE and POETRY THERAPY II: MINING FOR GOLD for those who have taken Poetry Therapy I, and for master practitioners wanting to hone their skills as poetry therapy and writing facilitators. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, just outside of Asheville, on 1200 acres, this magical woodland is surrounded by mountains, streams, wildflowers, and hiking trails. Note: Although Poetry Therapy I and II are usually offered separately, persons who wish to register for both will be able to do so and spend 8 days in this gorgeous setting. Adventurers who are not faint-hearted will want to have time for additional activities –perhaps white water rafting, horseback riding, wall-climbing, or arts and crafts. Bring your partner, adult child or friend. Both private and shared rooms are available.
Hotel style air-conditioned rooms are clean and simple (no televisions). Each room has a private bathroom. Prices include breakfast and lunch. Dinner will be on your own. There are many restaurants in town, and we are also only minutes away from Asheville, a cultural arts center and place of happenings. Since several participants from the region will have cars, teaming up with a driver will be coordinated and will not pose any difficulty. Want to know more about the lodging? Go to The YMCA Blue Ridge Mountain Assembly website: www.blueridgeassembly.org
Available programs:
POETRY THERAPY I: TOWARDS SELF-KNOWLEDGE
Wednesday, August 10 - Saturday, August 13, 2011POETRY THERAPY II: MINING FOR GOLD
Saturday, August 13 - Thursday, August 18, 2011POETRY THERAPY I and II: FULL PROGRAM
Wednesday, August 10 - Thursday, August 18, 2011
This is an 8 day long bonanza of poetry therapy training conveniently offered chronologically for long distance learners. It will serve persons who desire professional training in the use of spoken and written word for growth and healing.INDIVIDUAL MODULES FOR REGIONAL LEARNERS
Can't get away for the seminar but want to attend specific events? This option gives you the opportunity to select specific workshops. Choose "Download Detailed Program Information" below and scroll down to page five to learn more.
DOWNLOAD DETAILED INFORMATION ON ALL PROGRAMS (PDF)
Please scroll down for the program of your choice
Please plan to join us! Reserve now with a deposit on the package of your choice and pay 75% by May 1, 2011 to receive the early bird discount. For more information contact Dr. Sherry Reiter, 1904 East 1st St., Brooklyn, NY 11223. Questions? e-mail: sherryreiter@yahoo.com or call 718-998-4572.
POETRY THERAPY: TOWARD SELF KNOWLEDGE PART I
3-Day Training Seminar for Helping Professionals
with Sherry Reiter, PhD, PTR/MS
Dates to be announcedThis intensive provides a solid foundation in bibliotherapy theory and experiential process. In addition, you'll walk away with an anthology of some of the most powerful poems or "poetry prescriptions" that you can get "over the counter"!
- Do you want to have a full understanding of how poetry therapy works?
- Do you want to experience the range of special techniques that are currently used in the field today?
Poetry Therapy: Towards Self-Knowledge I is a three-day intensive seminar for helping professionals facilitated by Sherry Reiter. It is largely experiential with some lecture and discussion about the work as we are doing it. In poetry therapy, the written word is honored as a way to attain greater knowledge of self and others. Writing taps the creative self, waking us to new consciousness, new information and new possibilities for healing and "wholing." Participants will learn the basic steps for facilitating a poetry therapy group. We will also note why particular poems are especially successful with particular populations. Participants will experience different models and techniques of poetry therapy. The seminar will cover:
1) the history of poetry therapy;The best way to understand poetry therapy is to experience it in a safe, comfortable atmosphere. Although this seminar is educational in nature, much of our time is spent doing actual, not simulated poetry therapy. The importance of working in a group process is stressed. "Equal talking time" is recommended so that each person gets a chance to speak. While you will be writing and discovering your own feelings through writing, you will also be learning about others' feelings in the group.
2) the four basic ways that poetry therapy is practiced today;
3) basic theories about why/how poetry therapy works.
4) psychological mechanisms - egs.: resistance, projection, transference, etc.
This intensive seminar has been taught at the New School for Social Research and at Hofstra University for the past twenty years. Now it is offered to professionals who wish to enhance their clinical skills with this dynamic tool.
COST: $360.00
DATES and LOCATION: To be announced
TO REGISTER: Contact Sherry Reiter at The Creative "Righting" Center: Phone 718/998-4572 or E-mail sherryreiter@yahoo.com
The Creative "Righting" Center, directed by Sherry Reiter, PhD, welcomes persons from all walks of life who wish to use the written and spoken word for healing and personal growth. Sherry is a Certified Social Worker, a Mentor/Supervisor (NAPT approved), and an RDT/BCT(Board Certified Trainer) in Drama Therapy. These seminar hours are equivalent to 18 hours toward certification/registration in poetry therapy and may also be used to meet alternative training requirements of drama therapy.
POETRY THERAPY: TOWARD SELF KNOWLEDGE PART II
Towards Understanding Self and Others:
Working With Special Populations
Every helping professional knows that our clients come to us with a multitude of special situations and disorders. Reading, writing, and poetry provide a non-judgmental, gentle approach that is dynamic and engaging for individuals and groups. This is an advanced experiential 4-day seminar demonstrating poetry therapy techniques and literature that can be applied to persons who are challenged by:
- depression
- anxiety disorders
- addiction
- trauma
- physical and emotional disorders
- major transitional passages (egs. bereavement, separation, unemployment, etc.)
- developmental crises (egs. adolescence, middle age, aging)
DATES AND LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED.
INFORMATION: If you are interested in this seminar, please contact Dr. Reiter at sherryreiter@yahoo.com.
The Creative "Righting" Center, directed by Sherry Reiter, PhD, welcomes persons from all walks of life who wish to use the written and spoken word for healing and personal growth. Sherry is a Certified Social Worker, a Mentor/Supervisor (NAPT approved), and an RDT/BCT(Board Certified Trainer) in Drama Therapy. These seminar hours are equivalent to 26 hours toward certification/registration in poetry therapy and may also be used to meet alternative training requirements of drama therapy. The breakdown of hours is approximately as follows: 18 peer group hours, 5 didactic hours, 3 hours of group supervision. THE CREATIVE THERAPIST: HEALING THERAPIES IN THE EXPRESSIVE ARTS
Poetry, Story, Drama, Sandtray and Play Therapies
All in One Vacation Workshop
with Sherry Reiter, PhD, PTR/MS and Sue Carroll Duffy, Psy.D., RTP-S
August 10-14, 2009Learn: Designed for the helping professional, this series of workshops will encourage self-exploration and personal renewal as you learn creative expressive therapies to use with your hard to reach clients. CEU hours are available for those seeking Registration as a Poetry Therapist, Drama Therapist and Play Therapist as well as most helping professionals.
Relax: The sessions end by 3 PM to provide time for reflection, relaxation and exploration along the beautiful and remote Maine coastline. Go whale watching, take a ferry to a Canadian Island and bike out to a lighthouse to watch sea life, sail to Canada for European dining, kayak on a lake or Passamaquoddy Bay, hike miles of remote trails along the coast, visit West Quoddy Head Light House, enjoy a sunset sail, visit artist studios. By The Sea Seminars will assist you to find accommodations at Bed and Breakfasts in the area.
Workshop Choices (workshops limited to 20 participants)
- Monday thru Wednesday: Poetry Therapy with Sherry Reiter, Ph.D. (15 CEUs) Cost: $375.00
- Thursday: Drama Therapy with Sherry Reiter, Ph.D. (5 CEUs) Cost: $125.00
- Friday: Moving Stories: An Integration of Story, Sandtray and Play Therapy with Sue Carroll Duffy, Psy.D. RPT-S (5 CEUs) Cost $125.00
COST: Choose individual workshops (see prices above) OR
come for the whole week and save $130.00
DATES: August 10-14, 2009
LOCATION: In the beautiful and rural coastal town of Eastport, Maine
MORE INFORMATION: Download an event flyer for complete details
TO REGISTER: Contact By the Sea Seminars at 207-853-2774, by email at bythesea@roadrunner.com, or on the web at http://www.bytheseaseminars.com
Calling all lovers of the spoken and written word to a celebration of word, song, and spirit.
THE CAPE COD WRITING RETREAT
with Sherry Reiter and Ann Forcier
August 25-29, 2008
Join Sherry Reiter and Ann Forcier, both writers who are trained in the use of writing for personal growth and transformation. Daily poet-walks to sites of exquisite beauty. Write and share your spontaneous creations. In a special event, guest musician Laura Cayer will transform your poetry to music on the spot!
Don't miss this amazing journey that will rejuvenate you and kindle your creative imagination.
Cliffs that rise a thousand feet without a break,
Lakes that stretch a hundred miles without a wave,
Sand that are white through all the year, without a stain,
Pine-tree woods, winter and summer, ever green,
Streams that forever flow and flow without a pause,
Trees that for twenty thousand years your vows have kept,
You have suddenly healed the pain of a traveler’s heart.
Chang Fang Shen (4th century)Sherry Reiter, PhD, PTR/MS is Director of The Creative "Righting" Center in New York City. Ann Forcier, LMHC, PTR, is a writer and counselor in Orange, Massachusetts. For more info, call Sherry at 718-998-4572 or e-mail her: sherryreiter@yahoo.com
COST:
Seminar, shared room and board:
Early Bird Rate, before June 1: $665.00
Registration after June 1: $695.00
Seminar, private room and board:
Early Bird Rate, before June 1: $820.00
Registration after June 1: $850.00
DATES: Monday, August 25 - Friday, August 29, 2008
LOCATION: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
The Creative "Righting" Center, directed by Sherry Reiter, PhD, welcomes persons from all walks of life who wish to use the written and spoken word for healing and personal growth. Sherry is a Certified Social Worker, a Mentor/Supervisor (NAPT approved), and an RDT/BCT(Board Certified Trainer) in Drama Therapy. These seminar hours may be used to meet Alternative Training requirements as delineated by NADT, or 27 hours toward NAPT certification/registration.
