Wellness Programs

 

Wellness Programs

 

Dementia Friends
Thursday, December 5, 2024, 12 – 1 pm (new date)
Presented by Karin Von Kay, Dementia Friends Champion

Join us for this informational session to gain more understanding about effective techniques and approaches when interacting with loved ones with dementia. As a Dementia Friends Champion, Karin is committed to helping change the way people think, act, and talk about dementia, and to assist caregivers and healthcare professionals in our community to have the tools and resources they need to improve the quality of the lives of whom they care for as well as their own.

Dementia Friends workshop Zoom registration link

 

Art and Stress Reduction Paint Party – now full, registration is closed
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 3 – 5 pm
Led by Heather Rist, LPC, EAW Counselor

Whew, what a season! Fall semester and the elections are coming to an end soon… time for a wellness break!

Come paint-by-number your stress away. Connect with colleagues and yourself by tapping into creative flow and give yourself a couple of hours to just breathe, relax, and enjoy.  All are welcome and all supplies will be provided.

 

Grief During the Holidays by Zoom
Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 12 – 1 pm
Led by Shawnee McDowell, LCSW, EAW Counselor

Wondering how you will survive the upcoming winter holidays? Are you dreading these times, knowing that so many things have changed? This workshop is for people grieving the loss of a loved one/s. We will talk about how to deal with the many emotions you might face during the holidays, helpful tips for surviving social events, and discovering hope for your future.

Grief During the Holidays Zoom registration link

 

NAU Employee Cancer Support Group by Zoom
The first Monday of each month, October 2024 – April 2025, 3:30 – 5 pm

When the “C” word enters your life, everything turns upside down. Thrown head-first into medical jargon, tests, procedures, all while your head shocked and fuzzy from this life altering word. Of course, I’m talking about cancer. Studies indicate that cancer rates are on the rise globally and it’s being diagnosed in younger people. Luckily, our treatments are better, and people are living longer, cancer-free lives after medical intervention. The impacts of cancer are life-long, even when in healthy survivorship anxiety lingers on the backburner.

Since coming to NAU in 2019, I (Heather Rist) have not only counseled more people impacted by cancer than ever before in my career, I have also experienced cancer myself. I am facilitating this group with the intention of gaining mutual support, developing coping skills, and cultivating post-traumatic growth and resilience. We don’t always get to choose our hardships; we can only choose how we walk through them and how we allow ourselves to be changed by them.

If you are interested in attending this group, please reach out to Heather Rist at Heather.Rist@nau.edu for a screening and more information.

 

Weekly Online Groups

 

Stress Management Group by Zoom
Fridays, October 11 – December 13, 2024, 8:30 – 9 am
Led by Cyndy Soto-Lopez, PhD, EAW Psychologist

Everybody experiences stress which, if unmanaged, can lead to many negative physical and mental health outcomes. In this open, drop-in group each week we will discuss specific stress-management strategies with the goal of finding practical applications to try to manage our stress.

Stress Management Group Zoom registration link

 

The Next Normal: TED series by Zoom
Tuesdays, September 10 – November 12, 2024, 8:30 – 9 am
Led by Heather Rist, LPC, EAW Counselor

Each week we will view a 10 – 15-minute TED talk on a topic important to building healthy workplace cultures presented by a current thought leader. The TED talk will be followed by questions and a facilitated discussion designed to get you thinking about how you can apply what you’ve just learned into your daily life, contributing to our NAU community and culture of relentless welcoming. Topics will include: allyship, women in leadership, boundary setting, difficult conversations, and many more.

The Next Normal Group Zoom registration link

 

Midweek Morning Meditation by Zoom
Wednesday mornings, September 18 – November 20, 2024, 8:30 – 9 am
Led by Mike Bouck, LCSW, EAW Counselor and Trainer

Meditation comes with many benefits, but it’s not always easy to get started. There’s no “right way” to meditate, and the goal is to focus our attention, intentionally, in the moment, with a friendly attitude toward ourselves. It is very common to encounter challenges while meditating, such as restlessness, a wandering mind, uncomfortable physical sensations, falling asleep, or simply feeling like we’re not doing it right.

While these experiences are common, we may judge ourselves (‘I’m not good at meditation’) or the practice (‘meditation doesn’t work for me’). Meditation may not be right for everyone, but many of us could benefit from increased mindfulness in our daily lives.

This semester we’ll focus on the basics of meditation, common challenges we might encounter and how to address them so we may experience the benefits of meditation and mindfulness. Please sign on a few minutes early to get settled. Drop in as you are able; attend any or all meetings.

Morning Meditation Group Zoom registration link

 

Atomic Habits Book Shop by Zoom
Part 1: Met Thursdays, September 12 – October 3, 2024, 8:30 – 9 am
Part 2: Thursdays, November 7 – December 5, 2024, 8:30 – 9 am
Led by Heather Nash, PhD, EAW Psychologist and Director

This group is based upon the bestselling guide Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, by James Clear (https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits)

During Part 1, we will be moving through the steps of habit change, addressing specific aspects of building good habits and breaking bad habits each week. During Part 2, we will each be taking on at least one habit we’d like acquire or break, applying the steps, and troubleshooting, as well as discussing maintenance strategies and values.

Atomic Habits Book Shop Zoom registration link

 

Trauma Informed Care Programs

Foundations of Trauma-Informed Care Course

The modules in this Canvas course are: Understanding Trauma, the Importance of Regulation, and the 6 Principles of TIC. This content provides foundational information to begin understanding and implementing trauma-informed philosophy and care.

Foundations of Trauma-Informed Care Course Canvas link

Ongoing coaching, consulting, and higher-level trainings, such as the Trauma-Informed Learning Community meetings listed below, are recommended as trauma-informed care is a continuous improvement process.

Trauma-Informed Learning Communities (TILC) by Zoom

TILCs are open, drop-in discussions of trauma-informed principles and their application to real-life, present-day scenarios.

Ideally, attendees will have completed the Foundations of Trauma-Informed Care modules listed above which provides shared language and foundational understanding to enhance participation in TILCs.

Staff TILC meetings:

Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Zoom registration link

 

Faculty TILC meetings:

Thursday, November 21, 2024, 4 – 5 pm
Zoom registration link

Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Zoom registration link

 

If you have questions, please email Heather.Rist@nau.edu.

 

Northern Arizona University is committed to providing universal access to our programs and services. Please contact EAW at 928-523-1552 to request disability related accommodations. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for accessibility needs.