Join us for an informative and engaging session designed to inform you about the valuable resources available through your Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This orientation will provide a comprehensive overview of EAP benefits, including confidential counselling services, financial advice, legal support, work-life balance resources and more. Learn how to best utilize these benefits to enhance your personal and professional well-being. Whether you’re new to the EAP or simply need a refresher on what’s available, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to support your health and happiness. Don’t miss this opportunity to revitalize your well-being and make the most of the support available to you!

Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) policies are becoming commonplace in the workplace. They strive to cultivate workplaces where employees are treated fairly and respectfully, regardless of an individual’s age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality and ability.

This session aims to move beyond diversity as a buzzword and meaningfully explore the value a truly diverse and inclusive organization can offer employees. Participants will learn concepts related to EDI, barriers to achieving EDI and strategies to promote EDI in the workplace.

Language and understanding around gender and sexuality are frequently changing and expanding. Whether your work involves interacting with clients, colleagues or community partners, being prepared to engage with people representing a variety of identity expressions is essential to promoting respect, equity and inclusion in the workplace. Through exploring a range of concepts and topics, including pronoun use, intersectionality and allyship, participants will gain valuable insights into addressing biases, promoting understanding and creating a workplace culture where all individuals feel valued and supported. This session is facilitated by a queer, nonbinary practitioner with a Master in Social Work degree.

In today's fast-paced world, stress and anxiety have become common challenges both at home and in the workplace. This one-hour session will explore practical strategies for recognizing, managing and reducing stress and anxiety in both personal and professional settings. We'll discuss the science behind stress, identify common triggers and introduce techniques such as mindfulness, time management and emotional resilience. By the end of this session, participants will gain valuable tools to maintain a healthy work-life balance and cultivate a calmer, more focused mindset.

By the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

• describe characteristics of healthy habits and unhealthy habits.
• identify healthy habits and unhealthy habits.
• describe the process of how unhealthy habits can become a problem.
• describe the stages of change and where we are at with being ready for change.
• identify evidence-based tasks that we may do to make a change.
• gain resources to help reduce the harm of unhealthy habits.

Everyone experiences stress at one time or another. It might be something as simple as a looming deadline or as emotional as the death of a loved one that triggers high stress levels. No matter the cause, many people who deal with a stressful situation will go through the stress-response cycle. While there is no one way to manage stress, completing this natural sequence of steps can help us cope with our situation healthily and prevent burnout. During this session, we will explore several research-based ways to help complete the stress cycle and manage our body’s response to a tense situation.

Self-awareness is crucial to learning to deal with stress, and to making any positive changes in our lives. During this seminar, participants will learn about the difference between mindfulness and meditation as well as how they relate to stress reduction. Participants will have an opportunity to try several practices for developing mindfulness, including meditation.

Evidence shows that gratitude has measurable benefits for just about every area of our lives. Gratitude appears to contribute substantially to people’s overall well-being. During this session, participants will learn:

• what gratitude is
• the science behind it
• the benefits of gratitude

Participants will also learn how to incorporate gratitude into their lives with exercises.

In this session, we will discuss the importance of sleep and how our body’s natural sleep-wake cycles work. We will also discuss tips for getting a better night’s sleep (or day’s sleep for nightshift workers), bedtime rituals that facilitate relaxation and how to improve our sleep environments. We will discuss not only how to fall asleep but how to get back to sleep if we awaken during the night.

This session will delve into various topics related to workplace well-being through the engaging format of the trivia game show: Jeopardy! Topics include stress management, communication, diversity and inclusion, preventing burnout, sleep management, mental health awareness and coping strategies. Each response is accompanied by valuable insights, ensuring participants not only have fun but also gain new tips and tools for managing stress effectively.

Never before have grandparents worked with others who are the same age as their own grandchildren. Baby Boomers, Gen-X, Millennials and now Gen-Z are all working together in collaborative practice environments. But what does that mean for those of us who work with colleagues from different generations? Do we need to adapt our own values and views? Do we need to adapt our communication techniques as a result of differences in generations?

This one-hour session will provide an overview of the multigenerational workplace and describe generational communication techniques to help participants reduce stress between generations. The session will also cover the impact of social media and workplace technology and how to adapt our own approach to those that we work with in our respective workplaces.

As workplaces become more aware of the importance of diversity and inclusion, it is vital to understand and embrace the unique strengths and challenges that come with different ways of thinking and functioning – also known as neurodiversity.

This session will explore the spectrum of neurodiversity and how embracing diverse cognitive styles can foster a more inclusive and innovative organizational culture. Attendees will gain practical strategies for creating supportive environments that promote the unique talents of neurodivergent individuals. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with tools to promote empathy, reduce stigma and implement inclusive practices that benefit both employees and the organization at large.

This workshop focuses on the difference between mental health and mental illness, as well as common symptoms and available resources. It also helps dispel some of the myths and stigma surrounding mental illness. Some questions and topics for discussion include:

• What is mental health? What is mental illness?
• What are some of the myths that surround mental illness? What are some of our own biases towards, and judgments about, people experiencing mental illness?
• Who is affected by mental illness?
• How prevalent are mental illnesses in Canada?
• What are some of the more common mental illnesses, and what are the symptoms?
• How can we help someone who is struggling with a mental illness? How can we support their loved ones?
• What are some resources we can provide to those who need help?

Many work environments involve interacting with other humans, whether that entails providing services for the public or collaborating with colleagues and teams. Workplaces with more public interaction may experience higher instances of aggressive behaviour, inappropriate or offensive comments, and in some environments, individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis or are under the influence of substances. This session explores strategies for de-escalating challenging situations and supporting colleagues and clients during and after a situation occurs. Additionally, this session is tailored using scenarios from your specific work environment.

Stress is a common experience for all of us, and each of us reacts differently to it. Stress can help motivate us to achieve our goals and meet our challenges, particularly in the workplace. However, if we find ourselves unable to cope with stress or if we become overwhelmed by it, it can impact our mental and physical well-being. For this reason, it is important to understand and manage stress before it takes control of our lives. Through interactive discussion, this workshop will help participants gain a better understanding of their own stress experience and learn new ways of coping.

When a co-worker is affected by loss in their personal life, it can be difficult knowing how to approach them at work and offer support during this challenging period. It can be confusing for co-workers and managers to balance workplace expectations with the very real need for mourning. This workshop will explore:

• typical grief reactions.
• misconceptions of grief.
• strategies for supporting those who are grieving.
• strategies for the bereaved.

Participants will learn the difference between grief and mourning, factors influencing the grief process and how to create a workplace culture of compassion.

This workshop explains psychological safety through group discussion. Some of the questions and topics for discussion include:

• What is psychological safety?
• How does psychological safety affect the mental health and productivity of workers?
• What are some strategies that could be used in the workplace to create (and maintain) a psychologically safe space?
• What can you do if your workplace is psychologically unsafe or if you feel unsafe at work?

When we think about bullying, our thoughts often go back to our experiences in the schoolyard. Unfortunately, bullying behaviour often continues into adulthood, and many of these interactions play out in the workplace – albeit in more subtle ways. In this workshop, participants will explore:

• how to recognize workplace harassment and bullying.
• definitions of workplace harassment and violence.
• dynamics of victim-perpetrator interactions.
• characteristics and response patterns of the victimized person.
• characteristics and response patterns of the perpetrator.

An exploration of psychological effects will include:

• physical and emotional symptoms.
• maladaptive coping responses.
• disruptions in work and relationships.

Participants will gain an understanding of the dynamics of victim/perpetrator interactions and gain strategies to deal with bullying and harassment.

This seminar can be helpful for employees who are primarily working with clients/customers either over the phone or in person. At times, people get frustrated and overwhelmed with big emotions and reactions. The goal of this training is to provide employees with practical tools for mindful communication. Participants will learn how to respond in a helpful way, how to take care of themselves after a stressful situation and identify available resources.

In this session, we are looking ‘beyond burnout’ and exploring the warning signs of PTSD, compassion fatigue, secondary trauma and vicarious trauma responses that may come due to the nature of our work within healthcare settings. We will also review strategies to work towards developing resiliency and coping skills while looking at resources for ongoing growth and preventative measures.

Improved productivity, reduced absenteeism and increased morale – these are just some of the benefits of a healthy team. In this session, we’ll define what a healthy team is, how to create a healthy team and the difference it makes when engaged employees create one together. We’ll explore practical strategies that participants can use to transform their team’s working environment and tools to keep that team thriving.

Communication is an essential skill in every aspect of our daily work. This one-hour session is designed to provide the basics in selecting and using communication skills that allow participants to communicate with co-workers in ways that enable confidence and provide a sense of trust in the workplace. This session will also cover concepts such as Emotional Intelligence (EI), basic conflict resolution skills and common communication pitfalls in the workplace.

Effective communication is an important part of day-to-day efficiency. This three-hour session is designed to be interactive while giving participants tools to effectively use communication in the workplace and deal with conflict and interpersonal communication issues.

After this session, participants will be able to:

• understand self-awareness and the importance of self-awareness in the workplace.
• understand conflict and how it contributes to communication breakdowns in the workplace.
• develop skills related to verbal and non-verbal communication techniques.
• develop a process for selecting effective communication techniques.
• understand the importance of Emotional Intelligence (EI).
• relate to and discuss common communication problems in the workplace.
• use techniques to resolve interpersonal problems within the workplace to help achieve organizational and individual goals.

Discover the essential skills that empower individuals to navigate the complexities of the professional world with grace and effectiveness. Emotional intelligence is not just an important factor but the cornerstone of personal and professional success, influencing how we perceive and manage emotions – both our own and those of others.

This workshop is designed for professionals committed to enhancing their emotional intelligence for personal growth and professional advancement. Join us on this journey of self-discovery and skill refinement to unlock the full potential of your emotional intelligence and thrive in both your personal and professional spheres.

Many people feel stressed about their financial situation and don’t know how to create a plan or approach buying a house or saving for retirement. This session explores these topics, along with some of the terminology commonly used in the financial sector. Participants will be given tools for assessing their financial situation and how to start developing a plan for their future goals.

For many of us, our finances are always on our minds. We might wonder if we have enough money, if we are making the best decisions for our financial futures, if we are saving enough or if we are spending too much. In this session, we will discuss a budget as a financial road map, allowing us to see where we might be headed and plan. Participants will also receive information about:

• techniques for managing money.
• understanding credit, including when and how to use it.
• mastering cash flow and becoming empowered.

Participants will leave with tools to create a working budget and tips for managing personal and family finances. Participants will also receive tax tips and will have a chance to ask questions following the session.

Retirement planning often leads to many questions. Can I afford to retire? What will my pension provide? Will government sources help me? Have I saved and invested sufficiently? This seminar will address these and many other questions we may have as we prepare for the next stage of our lives. Topics will include:

• demystifying the financial planning process.
• performing a financial wellness checkup.
• understanding finances and taxes.
• exploring sources of retirement income.
• gaining knowledge on the amount of money needed to retire comfortably.

Participants will leave with the information and tools to effectively plan their retirement and future.

Dementia is an overall term for symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain. Currently, over 23,000 Manitobans have Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Information and support are valuable as dementia affects the health and daily life of individuals, families and communities. This seminar will discuss:

• common types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
• warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
• ways to reduce the risk of dementia.
• available health and community resources.

The brain is one of the most vital organs, and just like the rest of the body, it needs proper care. It is never too soon or too late to make changes to improve or maintain brain health! In this session, participants will learn about the risk factors of dementia and some practical actions they can take. By making healthy lifestyle choices, we may reduce our risk and improve our brains’ ability to sustain long-term health.

Fad diets are everywhere. The dieting industry makes billions of dollars because they are constantly searching for the next best diet. This cycle goes on and on, and we feed into it and pay for it! In this seminar, we’ll learn how to spot red flags when it comes to fad diets and look at making some healthy, sensible daily choices.

Healthy eating is about feeling great, having more energy, and being as healthy as possible. All can be achieved by learning some nutritional basics and incorporating them into a routine in a way that works. Choose the types of foods that improve health and limit those that raise the risk of illnesses. In this seminar, participants will:

• increase knowledge and understanding of Canada’s Food Guide – including food groups and serving sizes.
• discover choices within the Food Guide.
• learn how to eat healthily on the job.
• learn the balancing act: putting it all together.

Participants in this seminar will expand their range of healthy choices to include a wide variety of delicious foods and learn to use guidelines and tips for creating and maintaining a satisfying, healthy diet. This introductory seminar will provide basic information about nutrition.

With all the information available on eating well-balanced meals and snacks, we need to be able to make the right choice in the grocery aisle. When looking at a food label, it is important to know what the numbers and percentages mean. In this seminar, participants will analyze food label information. Participants will also:

• learn about the nutrition information found on food labels including nutrition facts, the ingredient list, nutrition claims and health claims.
• learn to identify amounts of nutrients, calories and serving sizes on food labels.
• learn to use the “five per cent to 20 per cent” daily value guide to get less of some nutrients and get enough of others.
• compare food labels to determine which foods contain higher or lower amounts of nutrients or calories.

Participants will understand how to make informed choices and become top detectives!

Many Canadians regularly take vitamins, minerals, herbal products, homeopathic medicines and more. These products have come to be known as natural health products or NHPs. There are several key facts one needs to consider before deciding whether to take a supplement. In this seminar, we will:

• review common supplements.
• discuss tips on how to make better dietary supplement choices, looking beyond marketing claims.
• learn to use food as the primary way to achieve nutrition and fitness goals.

Participants in this seminar will gain a better understanding of whether they need to take supplements. Information on side effects, guidelines for use and myths will also be reviewed.

Retreats combine a rich blend of ancient wisdom teachings with modern psychology and address a variety of relevant topics in an experiential, interactive dynamic.

Our day retreats are designed for small, intimate groups of 10 and take place at the Natural Destination, a Healing and Wellness Centre with a difference, honouring Mother Earth as a primary source of healing. Located an hour’s drive north of Winnipeg, the facility features a beautiful loft setting in a rustic 2,5000 square foot log home, as well as forested grounds of a sacred Sweat Lodge. Lunch and refreshments are provided. Retreats can be customized on request.

Retreats are available on a fee-for-service basis.

This retreat is for all frontline staff who experience stress, burnout and pain. Participants will receive compassionate support as they develop access to their own inner tools that facilitate awareness of where they carry negative emotions in their body and transform it into positive energy to renew their commitment to the services they provide and bring more balance to their personal lives.

This retreat will benefit anyone struggling with anxious and depressive moods and perceptions. It will be relevant and helpful to those who struggle with self-limiting beliefs, those who are resistant to change and healthy risk taking, and those who are unable to move forward due to their fear of uncertainty and vulnerability. The tools described are simple, effective and will increase self-awareness, self-compassion and self-confidence.

This retreat will be beneficial to anyone wishing to improve communication in their personal or professional lives. Whether one’s struggle is with passivity, aggression or passive aggression, this experience will utilize tools from non-violent communication to assist participants in being assertive and effective when in conflict or addressing unmet needs.