Fall 2024 Newsletter
FREE Events & Collaborations, Fall Hours and more…
Section 1: Upcoming FREE Events & NEW Offerings
**FREE Nature Informed Workshop, October 14th, Indigenous People’s Day at Little Bennett Regional Park, Hyattstown Mill Area in Clarksburg, Maryland**
Join Marie, Certified Nature Informed Therapist & Registered DNR Volunteer on a walk & talk adventure to (Re)Connect with Mother Nature.
Topic: The Wisdom of Trees
This event incorporates forestry knowledge, social - emotional learning concepts and nature metaphors to highlight the important relationship between Mother-Nature and Human-Nature. Participants attending can expect to…
🌿 Learn a brief history of Indigenous People’s Day
🌿 Hear a land acknowledgment
🌿 Learn metaphors connecting humans & nature
🌿 Identify and use plant/animal identification apps
🌿 Reflect on life lessons learned from trees
🌿 Learn about “reciprocity”
🌿 Engage in reciprocal practices
🌿 Gather with like minded members of your community
At minimum, participants may learn something new, meet someone new or reap the benefit of lowered blood pressure by simply being in nature.
There is a lot to learn from our original Mother, Mother Nature and I can’t wait to see you there!
Registration is optional for this FREE event but would help me prepare my materials. To register, click HERE.
To learn more about the (Re)Connect series and see pictures of previous events, go HERE.
Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/5TtCCFagy
**Pushing Daisies is back this FALL for FREE**
When my son Harvey died 9 years ago, finding other parents who KNEW what I was going through was LIFE CHANGING .
Not just because I wanted to connect with others who really UNDERSTOOD what I was going through, but because I had QUESTIONS about this journey.
Questions like, how do I "adult" when I'm crying or angry 24/7? How do I answer the question, "how many kids do you have?" I knew that when I was ready, I wanted to be the one to help other parents living through the nightmare of child loss.
Pushing Daisies is a grief support group for parents who have experienced the death of their child. The purpose of the group is to help parents navigate a world that continues in spite of the death of your child. My child too, Harvey.
Dates for Fall 2024 Pushing Daisies Groups (Telehealth):
Monday, September 9th at 5PM
Monday, October 7th at 5pm
Monday, November 4th: NO MEETING
Monday, November 11th at 5pm
Monday, December 2nd at 5pm
I’m honored and excited to announce that Pushing Daisies IS NOW offered AT NO COST to participants.
Additionally, an in-person offering is available through my collaboration with Hospice of the Chesapeake (see below).
Save and share the flyer (or web link) with friends, family and neighbors who may be on this very specific grief journey. Grief is harder, it's harder alone.
**Collaborations with Hospice of the Chesapeake: Groups and Workshops
This fall I'm thrilled to partner with Hospice of the Chesapeake to bring back a special IN-PERSON grief support that is close to my heart--a support group called Parenting While Grieving.
Mondays 530pm-7pm on September 23, October 21, November 18 & December 16
You see, I attended this very same group when I was fresh in my grief after my son, Harvey, died. It inspired me to start my own group, Pushing Daisies. It's been nearly nine years and I still recall the healing support found in a group of parents who GET IT.
Monthly I facilitate the FREE Parenting While Grieving group and on October 19th I am hosting a Parenting While Grieving Workshop ($10 fee).
Participants at both events will have opportunities to provide and receive support in the company of others who understand the unique challenges of parenting while grieving.
Join me and change the trajectory of your grief.
It's so hard, and it's harder alone.
Email your interest to GriefInfo@hospicechesapeake.org. **FREE Concurrent children’s event available for ages 6-18yrs. Inquire to register.
To learn more about my collaborations with hospice, go HERE. https://www.genuineconnectionspsychotherapy.com/hospice
Join the Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/t96Ceahv23FaLcHJ/
**Grief Consultation with Marie**
Grief is hard, it’s even harder if a provider doesn’t feel competent supporting you while you are on a grief journey. This offering is for professionals and providers who are looking to improve their understanding of death, dying, grief, bereavement, hospice and more…save and share the attached flyer or see my website for more information.
Grief Consultation with Marie is what you are looking for if you:
Feel “stuck” as a professional supporting a grieving client
Don’t know how to support children grievers
Notice your own activation and need support keeping it “in check”
Aren’t sure where the line is between being professional, ethical & HUMAN
Want to learn about NEW grief theory (the 5 stages have been updated)
Want to discuss case specific challenges
Are curious about integrating post-traumatic growth focused interventions
Are interested in weaving nature into your grief interventions
Grief Consultation is beneficial for professionals working with clients that:
Are preparing for the anticipated death of a loved one (anticipatory grief)
Are in denial of the impending death of their special person (or themselves)
Meet criteria for Prolonged Grief Disorder
Ask “what is wrong with me?”
Experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder related to a death/grief
Are struggling with integrating the loss into their lives
Want a “different” approach to processing their grief (ie, Nature, brainspotting…)
Section 2: Reflections & Celebrations
**Camp Nabi 2024 was ✨awe✨ inspiring**
I was honored to serve as Group Co-Facilitator for Littles aged 9/10 along with longtime Hospice of the Chesapeake volunteer, John N.
This summer I launched a social media campaign to spread the word about the unique and wonderful Camp Nabi 2024: A Grief Camp for Kids.
My campaign highlighted my experience as a Big Buddy during Camp Nabi 2023 and also shared HOC events and resources for families and children. Turns out several volunteers and campers saw my campaign and participated this year. They are **hooked** and plan to return for future camp shenanigans.
Revisit my entire day-by-day social media campaign, HERE.
Read my Camp Nabi 2023 Reflections all in one place, HERE.
**I helped raise over $240,000 for The Chesapeake Kids Program**
This past June, I attended my first “Fashion for a Cause” fundraiser as the guest speaker.
I’m proud to say that my speech ended with a standing ovation AND tears throughout the room. I did not intend for either, but Harvey’s journey and our story have a history of affecting people in this way.
Christine Wilson, Director of Philanthropy at HOC said, I “had the room completely enthralled and quiet, which is quite amazing!” Some say it’s my delivery, but I think it's the story. Probably both.
Dozens of attendees approached me afterward, thanking me for telling our story and I found myself thanking them for hearing it. Afterall, they had to be there for this cause in order to hear it.
With my support and by sharing our story the event raised $240,000, “a record for the event” according to Wilson.
Read my full speech HERE.
Learn more about our journey and how to support The Chesapeake Kids Program HERE.
Section 3: Did you know…?
**Mondays this Fall: Nature-Informed In-Person Sessions & Networking in Nature with Marie**
This fall you will find me in parks around the state to support YOU with Mother Nature as the co-therapist.
Monday mornings are reserved for Nature-Informed In-Person sessions and Networking in Nature Frolleague Adventures. If you are interested in holding your session in-person or connecting with me as a professional, reach out!
Read more about what a frolleague adventure is like with me, HERE.
Schedule a Frolleague Adventure, HERE.
**I’m training for Trails of Healing: Intensive Nature-Informed Grief Therapy Training**
I’m excited to announce that I’m leveling up my Nature-Informed Therapy and Grief training with a backpacking intensive!
I’ll be hiking with the Center for Nature Informed Therapy for a week in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia.
Read more about this advanced opportunity and cheer me on!
**Hospice isn’t just for terminally ill old people…**
As the parent of a chronically ill and medically fragile child, it was SCARY when the hospital team at Johns Hopkins Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Baltimore started mentioning, “quality of life,” “we’ve done all we can do” and “hospice” during our last staycation in the summer of 2015.
My family and I were DISTRAUGHT at the idea that we were “giving up” on our four year old warrior, Harvey, by signing up for the program that meant death was imminent–-hospice. Pediatric hospice.
Learn more about Marie’s experience with Pediatric Hospice.
**(Re)Connection Sessions are an easy way to schedule a NO FEE call with Marie.**
A (Re)Connection Session is a NO FEE service I'm providing to my clients. These sessions are 20-30min VOICE calls that can be used in a variety of ways. This is different from a therapy session because we are discussing admin issues or doing other updates, not processing or going deep emotionally.
Some of the topics discussed in (Re)Connection Sessions are:
questions you may have regarding policy updates for 2024
questions about your good faith estimate, which reflects my new fee starting Feb. 1
Feedback from you about treatment/services. You can provide feedback ahead of our call by completing this form.
treatment plan check-ins and amendments
any updates you'd like to provide on personal, social & academic realms of the client
anything else going on in Ava's life you want me to know about.
You can schedule your (Re)Connection Session through the client portal (link in signature). I look forward to talking with you soon.
Section 4: Fall Schedule & Closings
**Fall Hours ARE BACK!**
Fall hours returned Monday, August 19th, just in time for the return to school.
After school sessions, which are limited, are prioritized to school age clients. Efforts are made to accomodate activities, sports etc...Evening appointments are accommodated when holidays and vacations shorten the school week substainly.
Fall business hours are as follows and are subject to change:
Mondays:
9-1pm for In-Person, Nature-Informed Sessions near YOU
1pm-3pm, Not available (School Pick-up)
3pm & 4pm virtual sessions for SCHOOL AGE clients
5pm Pushing Daisies: FREE Grief Support Group (see below)
Tuesdays:
9am-1pm, virtual sessions
1pm-3pm, Not available (School Pick-up)
Hospice of the Chesapeake, Children's Programs Volunteer 5-8pm
If you are interested in working with me for grief support through hospice, let me know and I'll share what events I'm supporting and registration information. Events and programs are FREE or low fee ($10).
Thursdays
9am-1pm, virtual sessions
1pm-3pm, Not available (School Pick-up)
3pm & 4pm virtual sessions for SCHOOL AGE clients
Wednesdays & Fridays:
Administrative days
Provider calls
**Falls Closings & Vacation**
If your regularly scheduled appointment falls on one of the below dates, your appointment has already been or will be canceled. Depending on your session frequency, you may wish to reschedule. You may do so via the client portal or respond to this email to let me know you want to reschedule.
As a reminder, I will not be responding to email/text communication when I am out of office. If clinically indicated, a sub-therapist will be available to you for consultation in the event of a mental health emergency.
Monday, September 2nd
Thursday, September 12th & Friday, September 13th
Monday, September 30th: All-Day Training
Monday, October 14th: no individual sessions, Nature-Event
Monday, November 4th through Friday, November 8th
Wednesday, November 27th through Friday, November 29th
Friday, December 20th through Friday, January 3rd (PGCPS Schools Closed).
