Residential Retreat Schedule For Trainees

Time tested, evidence-based
support program for mind, body, and spirit

BEAT THE ODDS®

URBAN RETREAT

JOIN US FOR A UNIQUE HEALING EXPERIENCE!
BEAT THE ODDS® PROGRAM IN JUST TWO WEEKENDS!

“Surviving Cancer One Healthy Thought at a Time!”

About the Beat the Odds and Boost the Odds Programs

The Beat the Odds® program is a comprehensive cancer survivorship program for patients and their primary support people that utilizes cognitive-behavioral self-help therapy.

The approach is comprehensive because it directly addresses all spheres of human existence: emotional, cognitive, behavioral, social, and spiritual/existential.

Therapeutic interventions are based on modern learning theory and utilize evidence-based techniques but are also enlightened by the ancient teachings and wisdom of many traditions. All interventions form a cohesive, internally consistent program.

Graduates of the Beat the Odds program can participate in Boost the Odds – From Cancer Survivor to Life Thriver, a psycho-oncology intervention for comprehensive lifestyle modification which focuses on reducing modifiable cancer risk factors in cancer survivors.

Both programs have been adopted for other chronic and life-threatening illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, cardiovascular illnesses, diabetes mellitus and its complications, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, lupus, and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

The programs are also well suited for general health promotion, stress reduction, and disease prevention.

Strengthen vitality, joy and healthy hope.
Reduce stress and negative emotions.
Increase your capacity for relaxation and mindfulness.
Foster more trust and wisdom.
Convert fear into a peace of mind.
Effectively manage symptoms such as fatigue, pain, nausea, etc.
Bring balance in all aspects of your life, including nutrition, exercise, play, and purpose.
Improve communication skills and build a quality support system.
Improve communication skills and build a quality support system.

This program can also help you address religious, spiritual, existential, or deeply philosophical dimensions of your life. However, our approach is non-denominational. We draw from many religious, spiritual and philosophical traditions BUT PREACH NONE.

Sunday

3:00 pm – 5:45 pm: Registration of patients and support persons
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Session for Trainees only
6:00 pm – 6:45 pm: Dinner
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Introduction, Orientation, Program overview. Joy of Vital Activities, Decision and Expectations. Introduction to Belief Work.
8:30 pm – 9:00 pm: Session for Trainees only – review of practical applications of presented concepts

Monday

8:00 am – 8:45 am: Breakfast
9:00 am – 11:45 am: Increasing joy & vitality, dealing with stress & fatigue (continued from 1st session)
Understanding and Resolving Emotional Pain (Belief Work in the group setting)
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Time for individual/family sessions and homework
2:30 pm – 5:45 pm: Imagery in Healing: Transforming Fear into Peace of Mind
6:00 pm – 6:45 pm: Dinner
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Integrative Medicine: Vital Energy Work – Qigong (or “Shake Your Cancer Off” –
Physical Activity for Healing)
8:30 pm – 9:00 pm: Session for Trainees only – review of practical applications of presented concepts

Tuesday

8:00 am – 8:45 am: Breakfast
9:00 am – 11:45 am: Healthy Hope vs. False Hopelessness.
Addressing the Spiritual/Existential Dimension of Life.
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Time for individual/family sessions and homework
1:45 pm – 2:15 pm: Session for Trainees only – Feedforward: Practice in presenting the basic concepts.
2:30 pm – 5:45 pm: Meaning of Illness, Patterns of Stress, Benefits of Illness (homework due)
6:00 pm – 6:45 pm: Dinner
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Integrative Medicine: Deep Muscle Relaxation and Imagery
8:30 pm – 9:00 pm: Session for Trainees only – review of practical applications of presented concepts

Wednesday

8:00 am – 8:45 am: Breakfast
9:00 am – 11:45 am: Integrating Life and Death, Resolving Fear of Death to Increase Energy for Life
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch
1:45 pm – 2:15 pm: Session for Trainees only – Feedforward: Practice in presenting the basic concepts
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Time for individual/family sessions and homework
2:30 pm – 5:45 pm: Resolving Common Difficult Emotions (fear, worry, anger, resentment, guilt, etc)
Emotional Re-Learning, Unconditional Self-Acceptance (USA)
Mind-Body Symptom Management (pain, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath)
6:00 pm – 6:30 pm: Dinner
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Integrative Medicine: Creative Expression and Play Drumming Circle.

Beat the Odds Alumni Gathering

9:00 pm – 9:30 pm: Session for Trainees only – review of practical applications of presented concepts

Thursday

8:00 am – 8:45 am: Breakfast
9:00 am – 11:45 am: Resolving Interpersonal Stress: Communication and Support (homework due)
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch
1:45 pm – 2:15 pm: Session for Trainees only – Feedforward: Practice in presenting the basic concepts
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Time for individual/family sessions and homework
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Health Plan: (nutrition, play, exercise, creative thinking, purpose, social support)
4:45 pm – 5:45 pm The Science of Laughter and Play in Healing
Integrative Medicine: Laugh Your Cancer Off
6:00 pm – 6:45 pm: Dinner
8:30 pm – 9:00 pm: Session for Trainees only – review of practical applications of presented concepts

Friday

8:00 am – 8:45 am: Breakfast
9:00 am – 11:45 am: The Science of Beating the Odds, Integrating BTO with daily life
11:45 am – 12:00 pm: Conclusion of the retreat
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch (optional)

Professional Training

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