Healing with Expressive Arts Retreat w/ Dr. Madison Brightwell, PsyD, LMFT

Since the Pandemic, have you been feeling isolated? Missing opportunities for self-expression and connection? Have there been some big transitions you are wondering how to process? THIS RETREAT IS FOR YOU!

In this weekend retreat, you will be able to establish deep and meaningful connections with others and with yourself, that will further your healing and insight. Using fun and uplifting activities and exercises, we will help you to heal from the trauma of isolation, disconnection or alienation that may have prevented you from achieving your goals for the future, both for yourself and for your world.

Being able to be aware of and able to express the emotions you are feeling, can be key to establishing a therapeutic alliance with yourself, where you can allow yourself to be the person you’ve always wanted to be and believe yourself to be, the True You, the Inner You, and your Ideal Self.

We will use a variety of forms of artistic expression to help unlock your intuition and your innermost hopes and dreams, in a fun and inspiring way. Visual arts; drumming; singing; freeform dance; improv; psychodrama; creative writing - as well as yoga, massage and reiki - help us to uncover forgotten parts of ourselves and allow them to come out and play!

If you have been longing for more connection, more free spirited fun and play, more chance to express the totality of You - this retreat could be a life-changing experience you won’t want to miss.

Join us - in the beautiful background of Greatwoods Nature, with total immersion in nature, for an unforgettable weekend of harmony and play.

RELAX – REJUVENATE – PRACTICE SELF-CARE – CONNECT WITH LIKE-MINDED OTHERS – ENJOY STIMULATING THERAPEUTIC EXERCISES AND INSIGHTFUL GAMES AND ACTIVITIES.

PERSONAL BIO

Dr. Madison Brightwell, PsyD, LMFT has been a therapist since 2007 and has worked with many hundreds of people helping them with pain, addiction and trauma, as well as anxiety and relationship issues. Madison worked with Reconnect Center in Los Angeles - a trauma-specific center and IOP program - as well as at many rehabs for addicts. She moved to Asheville in 2019, having spent 21 years in California, after moving to the US from England in 1997.

In her early career, Madison was involved in the creative and expressive arts and the field of entertainment. She spent 20 years as a professional actress and singer in England; she also ran a successful swing dance club in Los Angeles, and she has written a total of five novels and four self-help books. Madison plays the guitar and harp, and has played the violin and bass guitar in the past; she loves to dabble in all types of creative projects including arts and crafts (knitting, quilling), gardening and cooking.

Madison lives in Weaverville with her husband Ray and cat, Smokey Joe. She works as an online psychotherapist for Spring Health, and occasionally performs in local theater productions.

PROFESSIONAL BIO

I always treat every client as a unique and special individual who I can empower to find their own inner guidance and healing ability. I love what I do and I feel this is my purpose in life. It is my belief that addictions, pain and trauma are closely linked and it is my mission to break the cycle of despair that keeps people trapped in pain, whether it is emotional or physical. I have a very creative approach to my work and enjoy using expressive arts to help people discover a new self-identity. My unique experience as a performing artist helps me to find creative ways to move people out of their negative patterns of behavior and transform their lives.

COVID-19: Although the pandemic appears to be lessening, we will still uphold safety measures at Greatwoods Nature. This retreat is open to adults who have been fully vaccinated, (if you are not vaccinated yet, or do not intend to be, please contact us to talk more about your options). During the retreat, most activities will be outdoors to allow for safe distancing, and when indoors, all participants must be masked.

Accommodations: Our campground is primitive and in the woods. We will have designated camping areas for you to choose from (first come first serve). You must provide your own tent, hammock, and/or other camping equipment. Campers will also have access to a toilet and running water. We have space for about 20 tents so if you are sharing a tent please let us know in the registration form. If you are willing to share with another participant please let us know in the comment section. You may also commute in and out if you live locally.

Retreat Conduct: Let us know about any dietary restrictions, we do not drink alcohol, ingest intoxicants or any recreational drugs. Firearms and other weapons are not permitted on the Greatwoods Nature property.

Schedule: The program begins Friday at 5 pm with dinner included (we ask that campers arrive at 4pm to set up their campsites prior to the start of the retreat , and closes Sunday at 12 pm with breakfast included. The schedule details will be released soon.

It’s important and beneficial to be present for the entire retreat, and not to have any work, family, or personal obligations.

Cost: Program costs are set at $450, with accommodations cost additional – depending on which option you choose (camping is $50, and commuting is free). We have limited space for a few Karmic volunteers as well. This gives you a discount on the cost of the retreat but comes with the responsibility to help out throughout the retreat as volunteer staff. If you are interested in this please contact us as this is first come first serve.

Please sign here the liability waiver before the event

FULL SCHEDULE-***Certain activities may change. This schedule is a sample*****

OCTOBER 22 - 24, 2021

FRIDAY

LARGE GROUP – INTRODUCTION, everybody introduce themselves, group hypnosis, to relax and focus, get in touch with our inner self. (Need music player and access to power.) 5pm to 6pm

Dinner at 6pm

Firepit: 7 to 8.30pm

DRUM CIRCLE for fun and connection

SATURDAY

BREAKFAST / GATHER – 8am to 9am

YOGA – 9am to 10am To relax and get in touch with our bodies

IMPROV EXERCISES AND GAMES, to build trust and rapport 10am – 11.15am

SHORT BREAK. 11.15am – 11.30am

PSYCHODRAMA, for recognizing & accessing emotions 11.30am - 12.45pm

SHORT BREAK. 12.45pm to 1pm.

LUNCH. 1pm – 2pm

AFTERNOON SMALL GROUPS: Do one of these two groups, in rotation, for half the people in the group –

Either, PAINTING - painting rocks, theme is “how the pandemic affected me positively”. To connect with our intuition.

OR CREATIVE WRITING, write a Haiku based on the theme of “how the pandemic affected me positively”. To articulate our thoughts 2pm to 3.15pm both groups

SHORT BREAK. 3.15pm to 3.30pm

Attend the other small group 3.30 – 4.45pm

FREEFORM DANCE, to allow energy to flow through our bodies 4.45 to 5pm

COMPLIMENTS CIRCLE, to reach deeper levels of empathy 5pm to 5.30pm

BREAK. 5.30pm to 6pm

DINNER. 6pm to 7pm

SINGING ROUNDS, around the firepit outside, for harmony, connection, expression - everybody share either a poem, a song, a piece of art, or their thoughts on “what today meant to me”. 7pm to 8pm.

SUNDAY

BREAKFAST / GATHER – 8am to 9am

YOGA – 9am to 10am

LAST LARGE GROUP 10am to 12 noon (with small break at 11am)

Goodbye ceremony and rituals - go around the circle and give each other a “gift” of a quality.

Take our plants and painted rocks Planting a flower, herb or vegetable, to symbolize growth and nurturing.

Guided imagery meditation

Event Venue

Greatwoods Nature, 8315 Hickory Drive, Charlotte, United States