Photo credit: Pavel Fiala
Upcoming events
MHWFA hosts monthly guest speakers, all mental health counsellors with backgrounds or experience in remote area skills. These online live events are an awesome way to network with others in the industry as well as access and learn directly from a variety of experts in the mental health field.
Views expressed are the guest speaker's own and may or may not reflect the views of MHWFA.
Kennedy Lewis, M.A., C.C.C.
TBA - September 2022
Pacific Time
What do we mean by "self-care", anyway? How understanding the nervous system from a somatic perspective can enhance our resilienceKennedy is a clinical counsellor who runs a program called "Extraordinary Workers", providing counselling and workshops to frontline workers who encounter trauma in the field.
She invites us to: "Have a discussion with a trauma counsellor about what the **** self care actually is, and how we can hack the nervous system to emotionally regulate. I will be talking about the physiological mechanisms that make up the stress response, to increase your knowledge of your own nervous system, to make the most out of your self care practices in the field. We will also address common barriers to self care and how to navigate through them." Register using the form below. Cost: This is a free event! |
Date TBA, September -- Kennedy Lewis -- registration form
Past Events
Introduction to MHWFA
Wednesday, June 1st, 2022
5:30-7pm pacific
Join us for a lively FREE introduction to the MHWFA program! What does the MHWFA program cover? How does our brain work in situations of stress and trauma? What mental health first aid scenarios can arise in the field, and how does our response in rural areas differ from in an urban context? Most importantly, what are some simple interventions you can start using immediately to support clients, friends, or even yourself with mental well-being in the wilderness?
Register using the form below.
Cost: FREE!
Register using the form below.
Cost: FREE!
June 1 Intro to MHWFA -- registration form
Kate Pinsonneault, M.A., R.C.C.
Tuesday, May 17 2022
5:30-7pm Pacific
Managing Dual Relationships
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May 17 Kate Pinsonneault -- registration form
Tara Souch, M.A., R.C.C., C.C.C.
Thursday, April 21 2022
5:30-7pm Pacific
Accessing Nature as a Healing PartnerTara is a veteran wilderness guide and clinical counsellor working out of Ucluelet, B.C., and specializing in grief, loss, and nature-based therapy. This workshop is an opportunity to explore ways we can incorporate nature-based healing practices into any outdoor activity. Accessing nature as a healing partner allows for creative, spontaneous and unique self-generated insights and thus deepens the conversations around the healing journey. Nature, whether it be in a vast wilderness or a city park, is accessible to every person, and building nature-connection remains available to us as a resource throughout the lifespan. This workshop will share specific exercises and activities that can be used with clients and for ourselves personally or professionally.
Register using the form below. Cost: This is a free event. |
April 21 Tara Souch -- registration form
Jeremy Addleman, M.A., C.C.C.
Wednesday, March 30 2022
5:30-7pm Pacific
Resilience & Recovery: The power of nature to aid in healing trauma from a somatic psychotherapy perspectiveJeremy is a trauma therapist at Point the Way Counselling in Victoria, B.C., specializing in somatic psychotherapy, looking at trauma and healing through the body and nervous system. "In this workshop I provide information on how to use principles of somatic psychotherapy, in combination with the natural world, to build resilience and aid trauma recovery while out on the land. Together, we will examine brief ideas of the nervous system and how using mindfulness and somatic psychotherapy concepts and practices in nature can help when dealing with stress and trauma in other situations in life, as well as in the field."
Register using the form below. Cost: This is a free event! |
Mental Health & Resilience After the Marshall Fire
Sunday, March 6th, 2022
4pm-6pm Mountain Time (3pm-5pm pacific)
Click image to view event recording & resources -- for those affected by the Colorado Marshall Fire.
Joelle Prevost, M.C.P., R.C.C.
sunday, february 13th, 2022
1pm-2:30pm pacific
Joelle is a clinical counsellor and author. She works in private practice online in British Columbia, specializing in communication, trauma, and anxiety. In November 2021 she published the book, The Conversation Guide.
Join Joelle February 13th (in honour of Valentine's Day and Family Day) for an interactive presentation about boundaries - what they are, why we need them, how to have conversations about them, and why we avoid these conversations! We will also discuss difficult conversations in general, how to structure them, and why it's important to have them. |
Why are people often naturally drawn to outdoor activities like skateboarding, surfing, treeplanting, and paddling, that offer rhythmic movement and relationship-building in nature?
Sarah Hagar, M.Ed. is a former veteran treeplanter and Registered Clinical Counsellor with a keen interest in healing and preventing trauma for children, youth and families. With training in neuroscience and the belief that we are drawn to what heals us, Sarah will offer a conversation that explores why we function the way we do, the neurobiology of natural healing activities outdoors, and will empower you towards doing more of what makes you feel whole.
Join us November 3rd, 2021 to hear Sarah speak about nature as a healing place and lifestyle as the therapy.
Sarah Hagar, M.Ed. is a former veteran treeplanter and Registered Clinical Counsellor with a keen interest in healing and preventing trauma for children, youth and families. With training in neuroscience and the belief that we are drawn to what heals us, Sarah will offer a conversation that explores why we function the way we do, the neurobiology of natural healing activities outdoors, and will empower you towards doing more of what makes you feel whole.
Join us November 3rd, 2021 to hear Sarah speak about nature as a healing place and lifestyle as the therapy.
Michael McCarthy, a Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ and Hesquiaht First Nations member, is a clinical counsellor and regional coordinator at Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC). An accomplished public speaker, Michael thrives in the intersection of western psychotherapy and traditional cultural healing teachings -- "What my Granny taught me". As an NTC coordinator, Michael has frequently guided Daye Cooper Hagel and other mental health clinicians in weaving traditional and western mental health teachings -- "walking in two worlds". In this spirit and time of Truth and Reconciliation, what does each mode of healing have to offer the other?
Read more and view Michael's full talk in honour of Orange Shirt Day on our Blog page.
Read more and view Michael's full talk in honour of Orange Shirt Day on our Blog page.