| Imagery Workshops and Programs
There are programs throughout the United States that offer opportunities for you to learn how to use imagery and meditation for yourself and/or how to teach others to use these increasingly important techniques.
The Academy for Guided Imagery
The Academy for Guided Imagery is a program co-founded by Martin Rossman, M.D, Dipl. Ac. (NCCA), a physician and acupuncturist known for his pioneering work with guided imagery in the healing arts, and David Bresler, Ph.D., LAc, a health psychologist and board-certified acupuncturist who formerly served as the founder and director of the UCLA Pain Control Unit. Together with other professionals, they offer one of the most complete training programs in the use of interactive guided imagery (sm) for health professionals. Visit their site to learn more about the program.
Professionals Trained by Exceptional Cancer Patients, Inc. (ECaP)
The ECaP clinical program, a nonprofit organization founded by Bernie Siegel, MD, in New Haven, Connecticut, provides an environment of "carefrontation" for people and their loved ones who face cancer, AIDS and other catastrophic or chronic illness. Like the Academy for Guided Imagery practitioners who have gone through their training program charge for their services and you will need to ask about their range of fees. You can learn more about the practitioners and support groups by visiting their web site or writing them at Exceptional Cancer Patients, Inc. (ECaP), 300 Plaza Middlesex, Middletown, CT 06457, Phone: (860) 343-5950, Fax: (860) 343-5956 fax.
Commonweal Program
The Commonweal Program in Bolinas, California, is dedicated to helping people seeking physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing in the face of cancer. The program includes yoga, group support, relaxation, meditation, imagery, massage and exploration of options in established and complementary cancer therapies. Michael Lerner, Ph.D., president of Commonweal, says that, "Our goal is to help individuals find their own personal pathways to healing in an effort to optimize their chances of recovery."
Patients who seem to do best with the program are those who have an interest in making a sustained personal effort to engage with their illness and have the maturity to work well in a small, eight-person workshop setting. All participants must be under the care of an oncologist or other conventional physician, be able to care for themselves in a rural environment and well enough to benefit from the program. The all-inclusive fee for the week-long program is $1,480 for the week. Unfortunately, the program is so popular that there is a six- to eight-month waiting list.
Other sources recommended by Commonweal:
Harmony Hill Cancer Retreats
E. 7362 Hwy. 106
Union, WA 98592
360- 898-2363
Hawaii Cancer Help Retreats
O Ka Mana Ka Ho'ola
P.O. Box 1236
Kamuela, HI 96743
808-885-0995 or 808-885-7547
Smith Farm Center for the Healing Arts
Smith Farm Cancer Help Program
1501 32nd Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20007
202-338-2330
Contact: Shanti Norris
Ting-Sha Institute
Cancer Help Retreats
Box 226
Pt. Reyes, CA 94956
415-663-1190
Contact: Virginia Veach
Wellspring Cancer Help Program
Box 70
Lyme, NH 03768
603-795-2144
Contact: Deb Steele
The Simonton Cancer Center
Similar to the Commonweal program is one at the Simonton Cancer Center, near Santa Barbara, CA. This is also based on the principle that beliefs, attitudes and emotions play a major role in determining the quality of our lives and health. Guided imagery, meditation and emotional support are used to energize the powers of healing within each person and boost the traditional benefits of medicine.
The six-day live-in program is designed to facilitate and enhance the medical treatment patients are already receiving and to build a positive, enthusiastic attitude toward that treatment. Because emotional support is vital to this process, married patients must be accompanied by their spouse and they request that single patients bring their most significant other.
If you are unable to afford the cost of a session, which is $3,500 and includes meals and lodging, you may still purchase books, tapes and videos produced by Dr. Simonton and others by visiting the Simonton Cancer Center web site. You can also write them P.O. Box 890, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, (800) 459-3424, (310) 457-3811, Fax: (310) 457-0421, E-mail: simonton@lainet.com.
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