Speakers

Grieving In Plain Sight…

You may feel uneasy with the term “in plain sight” but that is what we are doing each time we leave our home. I have had people say it makes them think they will be hanging out all that raw emotion in public… you already do, even when you think you are hiding it. I became so used to “hiding my pain” that it became the new me each time I ventured out, but it was not the “real” me…Sandy

We at GRIEVING IN PLAIN SIGHT look at grief differently, and we believe there are many faces of grief. When going out in public, we put on our MASK and create the face we need to get through the day. As we move through our grief, we get very good at this. It is what allows us to respond to Hi, how are you today? With Good & you?  What are you doing? Grieving In Plain Sight, because the truth can be too ugly to share.

So here we are Grieving In Plain Sight. Grief is normal, but it is an Emotional Rollercoaster.

When you worry about your day with the questions in your heart and in your mind as to “How do I get through today? What will trigger my emotions? How do I sleep alone? How do I drive by the hospital where she died or go to past where the funeral was held? How can I possibly go shopping? How do I go to functions without them? How do I live?” You keep yourself in a never ending circle of pain. We are here to help you get past that.

Get to know the Speakers, you can click on their pictures to be redirected to the individual websites. It is an impressive group of positive thinking, loving souls, who have worked through their own grief, and desire to help others become empowered to heal.

Real Life Experience & Loving Wisdom

Candess Campbell, PHD

Candess M. Campbell, PhD - Author/LMHT/Hypnotherapist/Chemical Dependency Professional/Workshop Facilitator

Presenting Workshops: #102 – Forgiveness & Letting Go, #402 – Connecting with Loved Ones on the Other Side

Candess specializes in assisting others to gain their own personal power and to live a life of abundance, happiness and joy. She has a Doctorate in Clinical Hypnotherapy from American Pacific University, a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Gonzaga University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a minor in Religious Studies from Gonzaga University from Gonzaga University. She has a large following in the US, Japan and other countries. Over 1500 subscribers receive her monthly e-newsletter, All Healing Is Self-healing.

Colonel Gregory P Cook

Colonel Greg Cook, USAF (Ret)

Co Presenting Workshop: #502 - Battlefield Grief for Soldiers & Families

Greg Cook is a former U.S. Air Force Colonel and an expert on U.S. military operations, Department of Defense decision making processes and leadership. He provides a unique, insider’s perspective on serving in the U.S. military and working in one of the most mysterious and awe-inspiring buildings in the world – the Pentagon. During his 25-year military career, Greg flew global airlift and air refueling operational missions, commanded Air Force operational units at the squadron and group level, and completed three top-level Pentagon staff assignments in the building’s infamous E-Ring. He attended the nation’s most prestigious military schools

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Dr Jayne Helle

Dr Jayne Helle - Motivational Speaker/Counselor & Creator of Hypnosis Cd’s & MP3′s.

Presenting Workshop: #303 - Returning to Work & Managing Stress  *Healing Garden Staff*

DR Helle has been providing self-transformation services to people of Spokane, WA in the Inland Empire for over a decade. She is the owner of Introspect and Inlitenmnet, which produces motivational CDs and MP3 download audio selections. After receiving her bachelor of science degree at Santa Ana California, she received her Doctor of Philosophy degree from the American Institute of Hypnotherapy. Dr. Helle also has a scholarly background in philosophy, behavioral motivation, neurolinguistic programming, human consciousness, art, sociology and psychology. Dr. Helle is also a clinical practitioner of spiritual “Healing Energy” that works with the body’s aura to cleanse and balance. She works with corporate groups and personal clients to assist them in achieving their goals. Jane has assisted the courts with jury selection and handwriting analysis and has served as Vice President of the Washington State Hypnosis Association.

Mitch Carmody

Mitch Carmody - Author/Writer/Artist/Public Speaker/Bereavement Facilitator

Opening Ceremony Keynote – Faces of Grief - Presenting Workshops:

#101 - Support for Grieving Men,  #203 - Whispers of Love,  #602 – What Grieving Men Want

Mitch’s main message is that we CAN survive and even thrive after a significant loss in our lives. Mitch Carmody is the author of “Letters To My Son, a journey through grief” which has been sold worldwide. Mitch is currently a staff writer with “Living with Loss Magazine” and has published many articles for a variety of national grief periodicals, newsletters, and internet sites as well as appearing in many radio and television interviews. He is an accomplished artist and creator of the innovative 20 Faces of Grief and the S.T.A.I.R.S model of grief staging. Mitch is also the prognosticator of Proactive Grieving, a paradigm shift in grief recovery. Mitch is a recognized keynote speaker and a highly regarded workshop presenter. In his keynote “The Faces of Grief” he breaks down current myths in the bereavement process, and embraces a unique, more humanistic approach in recovering from loss which he has coined as “Proactive Grieving turning loss to legacy”. Also a gifted portrait artist he has created powerful images in pencil that he uses in this workshop to illustrate the many emotions involved in grieving the loss of a loved one.

Presenting Workshops: #204 & #504 Healing Your Heart Through the *Sacred Art of Mastering Change*, Meditations with Candess Campbell

Katie Cavanaugh is known by many as the “Catalyst of Creativity.” Founder of Clear Path Success Coaching LLC, and the author of The Sacred Art of Mastering Change, Katie teaches and inspires conscious and heart-centered seekers to truly make a difference and to create their living legacy. If you’re tired of struggling with the pain of grief and loss, limiting beliefs, thoughts and behaviors that have kept you feeling stuck, now is an opportunity to transform that forever. If you are ready to live life more fully and reclaim your JOY, Katie will help you find your clear path to healing. The passion and focus of her life’s work is to teach, mentor, and coach heart-centered seekers to become INTREPID – courageous, bold and fearless as they create the life they have always envisioned.  As the Music Director for Redmond/Sisters Hospice CAMP SUNRISE, an annual summer camp for children who have experienced the loss of a loved one, Katie, for the past 8 years, has had the honor of using her music as a vessel to hold a sacred space for grieving children.  “Music opens up a portal of connection with these precious kids in a most meaningful way.” Katie muses. “Every year I go with an open heart to give and I come away with such a deep sense of awe of these resilient and remarkable children who teach us all so much.” Katie lives with her husband at HarmonyHouse, their retreat center and mini-ranch in Central Oregon.

Claire Chew-Gillenson, M.A.

Claire (Chew) Gillenson – M.A.Life Transitions Coach,/Certified Grief Recovery Specialist/Certified Grief Bereavement Facilitator/M.A. Spiritual Psychology/Reiki Level II Practitioner

Presenting Workshops: #302 - Support for Pregnancy Loss, Stillbirth, and SIDS, #403 & #604 Anticipatory Pet Loss/Pet Loss Coaching *Healing Garden Staff*

Cancer survivor, divorced, widowed, etc… Our “loss” story paints a picture of what has happened for each of us, what is important. Sometimes, a story can get stuck and we hide behind it. Other times, a story can change and renew us. It is my hope that by sharing my “story” and what I learned from it, I will inspire you to realize that you too can change your grief “story”. 23 years ago, I was diagnosed with stage 4 bone cancer. I beat the 80% odds to find myself without a roadmap of how to be cancer free and HAPPY. I spent the next few decades living a goal-oriented life. I made six-figures in corporate world, life looked great on paper, but inside, I felt EMPTY. A defining moment in my life came when my dog died unexpectedly. Sophie was more than a mere companion, she was my confidant, friend, family. Grieving deeply, I walked away from it all. My parents and friends thought I was CRAZY. Grieving, I created a company called Luxepets, to celebrate the bond between people and pets. Internally, I began on a spiritual quest, my version of grief/pray/love. A voice kept saying do your grieving, heal, teach. I answered the call, receiving training in several highly effective therapies including Reality Therapy, Gestalt, NLP, RET, Person Centered Therapy and Psychosynthesis. I completed a Masters Degree in S. Psychology (University of Santa Monica), certification from The Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement, certification for Group Bereavement Facilitation and Level II Reiki coursework. My personal loss experiences helps me connect with my clients on a deep authentic level. It does not define me. In letting go of my “loss” story, it has freed me to step up to my potential. My strength, expertise, empathy in helping my clients heal from their grief. Heal and integrate your grief. Live a life of happiness you deserve. Are you ready to say YES to keeping the good things in your life and letting go of the pain? You don’t have to go it alone. I will be your grief companion.

Mary Jane Cronin

Mary Jane Cronin - Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Author/Publisher

Presenting Workshops: #201 - Write It and Release It!, #404 - So you want to write a book?

Becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in 2002 following my own healing I found myself drawn to grief work. What I have found is that talking to other people about your loss helps. Holding your grief inside or thinking it will go away in time is not the answer. I created Wiggle Bug Publishing to support and inspire those who are suffering through life transitions including the loss of a loved one through death or divorce, or as evidence of our current times, the loss of a job or home. It is my hope that by sharing my personal story of surviving loss and learning to have a life of purpose and meaning I can help others. Experiencing the death of my father and son taught me to value the time we have with each other and to say “I love you” and “I’m sorry” more often. The end of a marriage after twenty years left me with four sons and no idea what to do. Journal writing on my computer at night while the boys slept gave me time to sort out my thoughts and develop a plan. Returning to school and majoring in counseling showed my sons that giving up is not an option when things get difficult. The transitions in my life have made me stronger and more self-confident. They have changed who I am and who I am meant to be. They have taught me about love and forgiveness. They have taught me about living life every day.

Terri Daniel

Terri Daniel – Writer/Editor/Journalist/Author/Event Organizer/Intuitive Spiritual Counselor

Presenting Workshops: #202 - There is No Death – Another Way to Look at Life, #503 - At Home in Heaven: A Journey From Fear to Forgiveness

Terri Daniel is an author, hospice worker and intuitive spiritual counselor who teaches meditation, intuition development and after-death communication as tools for navigating the death, dying and grieving process. Terri works with groups and individuals to help them see the connection between a death — either unexpected or anticipated — and the growth it provides for friends and family members who are profoundly changed by the experience. In this sense, any death, no matter how tragic, has a purpose, and the ability to see that purpose helps survivors feel less victimized and allows the grief process to be embraced with love and acceptance. Based on the understanding that we are more than just these physical bodies and our souls have a specific purpose that is fulfilled by our experiences on earth, the bereaved find comfort in realizing that a loved one’s death was not senseless or without meaning. Terri speaks from experience. In 2006, her teenage son died after an eight-year struggle with a degenerative disorder that transformed him from an active, healthy seven year-old into a wheelchair-bound teenager who’d lost the ability to speak, and required full-time care. Terri lovingly nurtured him through his illness and death, and soon after his death she began to receive telepathic messages from him. He began “speaking” to her on a regular basis, guiding her to publish his words in a book that would have a unique perspective, not just on the journey of the soul, but on the dynamics of personal relationships and the power of meditation and forgiveness to transform them. Danny’s messages, against a backdrop of Terri’s life as a caregiver, became the foundation for her book, which was published in 2008. As a result of these experiences, Terri now provides channeled grief guidance and afterlife awareness education to hospice professionals, the bereaved and anyone interested in after-death communication.

Joanne Funch

Joanne Funch - Author/Grief Coach/Speaker/Workshop Presenter

Presenting Workshops: #104 - Heartache to Healing 1 – For Newly Bereaved, #304 - Transforming Your Life Following The Death Of A Spouse. 

I founded Heartache To Healing to educate, comfort, inspire and provide hope to those who are grieving the death of a loved one. Death has forever changed who I am and who I am meant to be. Death has taught me about love and given me the wisdom to lend a hand of comfort to others. In 2005, I lost the two people closest to me, my mother, Dolly and, and less than a month later, my husband, Allan. Mom had been ill, but you never get over losing your Mom. Allan had fallen from a ladder suffering a head trauma and after a week in the ICU he died. My world was turned upside down with grief and despair, I felt like I couldn’t catch my breath for weeks. Thinking life couldn’t throw me anything more, it did. My sister in law was diagnosed with breast cancer a few short months after Allan’s death, a few months after that my Dad’s brother died and in December of the same year, Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Yes, 2005 is a year I am not likely to forget…but it has made me stronger. I remain a constant advocate for women’s personal and professional success, this brings me joy and purpose.

Kin Halsey

Kim Halsey – MA, SPHR, Author, Speaker, and Addiction Recovery Expert. Creator of when combat comes home.

Co Presenting Workshop: Battlefield Grief – When Combat Comes Home (for families of military)

I am a survivor of life with combat marines-first my own father, then married for 22 years to a veteran who became 100% disable with PTSD. It is impossible to ignore the impact this has on family life -now and for future generations. I am here to help women face their fears and give voice to their truth. It is never too late to have a happy ending.

 

Sunny Dawn Johnston

Sunny Dawn Johnston - Psychic Medium/Spiritual Teacher

Saturday Evening Keynote with Kris Voelker: A Souls Transition - A Journey through the Circle of Life and Death

Presenting Workshop: #205 - You Can Heal Your Life – With Kris Voelker, *Healing Garden Staff* *Teen Haven Staff*

Sunny Dawn Johnston is a gentle, loving and supportive psychic medium and spiritual teacher. She has helped thousands of people across the country find their personal spiritual connection, recognize and “own” their natural spiritual gifts, and listen to their inner truth. What makes Sunny unique is her ability to transform her own inspirational life story into practical tools and knowledge. She teaches thru her experience and truly does walk her talk. In December 2003, Sunny founded Sunlight Alliance LLC, a spiritual teaching and healing center in Glendale, Arizona. She followed her guidance and created a place where people could go for support, empowerment, direction and most of all, unconditional love. Sunlight Alliance LLC offers classes on a variety of spiritual subjects such as: communicating with your angels, reiki, mediumship, intuitive development, death and dying and many more. These are offered at the Healing Center as well as thru online streaming. So if you don’t live in Arizona, you can still connect with Sunny from the comfort of your own home. Sunny also facilitates healing retreats in Sedona, Arizona as well as throughout the United States and recently in foreign countries. Sunny has been featured on many local and national television and radio shows including Coast to Coast with George Noory and Good Morning Arizona. She has hosted an international radio show as well as two internet radio shows. When Sunny is not traveling or teaching, you can find her in the recording studio working on her 11th CD and writing her soon-to-be released book. Sunny is actively involved in the spiritual community and frequently conducts informational outreach work. Her workshops and seminars are highly attended. She also volunteers her time as a psychic investigator for the international organization FIND ME. This is a not-for-profit organization of Psychic, Investigative, and Canine Search & Rescue (SAR) volunteers working together to provide leads to law enforcement and families of missing persons and homicide. Sunny co-authored the first book, Find Me and it is available on her website.

DR Phillip Faler, ND, BS

DR Phillip Faler, ND,BS

Presenting Workshop:

#501 - Physical Symptoms of Emotional Stress – Grief Reactions

DR Phillip Faler, BS, ND graduated from East Stroudsburg University of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, with his BS in Biology in 2000. DR Faler went on to graduate with a doctoral degree from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona. He then spent 2 years studying under several physicians to gain experience and perspective on clinical practice and the needs of patients. He is a licensed primary care physician in the state of Washington and is in private practice in Spokane.

Mary Anne Ruddis

Mary Anne Ruddis - Executive Director - American Childhood Cancer Organization Inland Northwest

Presenting Sunday Keynote: What can one person do?

American Childhood Cancer Organization Inland Northwest’s unique mission is to help each family cope with life during childhood cancer treatments and rebuild their lives after cancer from the experienced perspective of those who have been there before. Your donations will enhance the lives of children with cancer and their families. You will be providing emotional and practical support, education, patient advocacy, and the assurance that no child or family will have to fight cancer alone. We serve all children diagnosed with cancer in the Inland Northwest including Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, and Western Montana. Each affiliate is responsible for all funds raised to support their local community.

Grieving In Plain Sight is donating a portion out of each registration fee to ACCO, and will have a donation jar at the retreat for those who want to give more so that kids and families struggling with cancer are supported.

Leslie Woodfill

Leslie Woodfill - Regional Co-Director of Make-A-Wish

Presenting Sunday Keynote: What can one person do?

Since 1986, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Alaska & Washington has granted spectacular wishes to more than 4,500 local children battling life-threatening medical conditions. With 200 children currently awaiting their wishes, the race is on to raise funds and make these dreams become reality! Please support my fundraising efforts and help the Make-A-Wish Foundation provide gifts of hope, strength and joy to children in need!

Grieving In Plain Sight is donating a portion out of each registration fee to MAW, and will have a donation jar at the retreat for those who want to give more so that wishes come true. Did you fly in? You can donate those air miles you will never collect for wishes! Details on the MAW website.

Rev. Patty Furino

Interfaith Minister Patty Furino - Interfaith Minister/Red Cross Disaster Volunteer

Opening & Closing Prayers, Cruise Sunset Ceremony, Butterfly Release Ceremony  

Presenting Workshops: #401 - Walking with Gods Love, #601 - Taking God Out of the Box *Healing Garden Staff*

When asked to write a bio, I always struggle with listing all the experiences I have been through. My life’s journey has placed me in various situations. I want you, the conference participant, to understand my prospective to life, and how I process my experiences. If your intuition draws you into my workshops, than it is meant to be. If not, than the inspiration for your growth will come from someone else. Most importantly, by attending this gathering, you have chosen to embrace the process. In my experience, the true essence of God, our Creator, can be found anytime I experience unconditional love. I try my best to walk with an awareness that allows me to uncover a peaceful prospective. Through your own prospective, you should find and create your path. I believe that once you embrace the journey to seek peace, your path can unfold in miraculous ways. I was ordained an Interfaith Minister at the New Seminary in 1998 at St. John the Divine Cathedral in New York City. The two years of intensive study helped me realize so much more about the human experience. I was shown ways to embrace all faiths. The founder, Rabbi Joseph Gelberman wanted us to “learn other religions in addition to our own, not instead of.” We were inspired to find religion as a way to experience love. My Seminary experience was not just about learning new religions. It showed me ways to explore my spirit. I came to recognize and acknowledge the special connection I have with God, the Creator, the unknown Great Mystery. Most importantly, I learned about the validity of each persons’ experiences and emotions. I try my best to help empower others through their most challenging times. Everyone is faced with challenges in their life. We have the choice to walk through them open to growth. We can search for the love, and eventually, find a sense of peace. That peace can show up in the most surprising ways. I try to nurture others with empathy and compassion.

Kris Voelker

Kris Voelker - Soul Musician/Workshop Facilitator

Opening Ceremony Performing Event Theme Song “Grief Beach”, Cruise Ship Music Performance, Butterfly Release, Saturday Evening Keynote with Sunny Dawn Johnston: A Souls Transition - A Journey through the Circle of Life and Death

Presenting Workshop: #205 - You Can Heal Your Life – With Sunny Dawn Johnston

Kris is a soul musician whose music opens the Spirit to new awareness’s. She believes there is a great need for music that supports higher consciousness and personal empowerment. Kris’ music creates a space that allows you to open up to your greatest potential and to dream the dreams of your inner self. It is filled with hope and inspiration and her lyrics and melodies linger with you long after the performance has ended. Kris uses her inspirational lyrics and melodies to guide you to a place within that allows you to see the truth of who you are. Her music lifts your soul and heals your mind as your body receives the validation of the healing through goose bumps, tears and an open heart. Kris also performs as a guest musician at many Unity/New Thought churches throughout the United States. Kris is looking forward to taking her music on the road and creating a space where listeners are invited to dream their dreams. Her inspirational lyrics and melodies are the voice of her heart and when you listen to her sing, your chakras open wide and her voice carries you to a place where anything is possible.

Candace A. May

Candace A. May, M.Ed. - Teacher/Business Builder/Parent of a Childhood Cancer Survivor

Presenting Workshop: Memory Books

After teaching in public and higher education, Candace applied her skills to creating a worldwide company, Heritage Makers Inc (www.storybookingheritage.com), that assists individuals create hardbound storybooks filled with personal photos.  It all began in 1996 when she wrote the first storybook about her hero, her grandfather, an ordinary little grandpa.  But, the extra-ordinary was about to happen, an international  company evolved with her mother Sharon Gibb Murdoch, and today the idea of storybooking (unique to Heritage Makers) is the memory-making movement of this century. Candace lives in Spokane, WA and is the mother of four children ages 13 to 2 years.  Her passion for storybooking expanded into non-profit and other heroes when her son was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer some five years ago.  She put her life on hold for some three years, spending one full year in the Seattle Children’s Hospital with her son, who today is a survivor. Her personal time is spent creating Heritage Makers’s projects for those she loves, running, and church/community service.

Donna Madej

Donna Madej, MA, CM-Th, LPCC, NBCC

Performing at: Opening Ceremony, Cruise Ship Sunset Ceremony, Butterfly Release

As a music-thanatologist for Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, I have been privileged to gaze upon the most amazing love scenes. In the privacy of closed doors, in the absence of other sounds the music of the harp weaves it way into the room creating a sacred space for those who are sharing the last moments of life with those who have been journeying with them on this earth. The music transforms the hospital room into a place of solace where people who have had little time to prepare for the event of their loved one’s death can experience a moment without having to talk or make decisions or keep from crying. I am always amazed at what the music creates. Donna has performed over 2,300 music vigils. Her services are available for comfort care patients; those being transitioned from life support; patients who are anxious; have difficulty sleeping; who have been in the hospital for an extended time, or need spiritual and emotional solace.

Melinda Engle

Melinda Engle, MBA - Life Planner and Coach

Presenting Workshops: #603 - Empowering Young People to Reach Beyond the Grief, *Teen Haven Staff*

Melinda is a life coach with Your True North located in Deer Park, WA.  Her mission is to empower through life transitions, create and attain vision and goals, and customize a life plan to embrace it all.  Life planning is the unique and fulfilling process of mapping your dreams and goals for realization. In the coaching arena, Melinda has worked with survivors of domestic violence, sexual crimes against women, sales professionals, professionals, parents, and youth.  She uses her own experiences, compassion and knowledge to empower recovery and clarity in moving forward. Melinda has a MBA from Columbia College of Missouri and is a member of the International Coaching Federation.  She is actively seeking her professional coaching credential.

Susan Moyer

Susan C. Moyer - Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Washington, Idaho and WyomingAddictions specialist, with certifications/licenses in Washington and Wyoming

Presenting Closing Ceremony Drumming

Susan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Anthropology; she later earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work.Susan has worked in the addictions and mental health fields for 20+ years. Since moving to Spokane from Wyoming at the beginning of 2004, Susan has moved away from “traditional therapy” and is focusing her work solely on alternative modalities. Susan uses Eupsychia musical journeying, a process of transformational work, which she has been involved with since 1990. She resonates with its non-directive method and validation of all levels of healing as each person’s process unfolds. Often these sessions enrich one’s ongoing therapy by offering deeper insights and new connections about patterns in one’s life. Eupsychia musical journeying has the potential to create changes that are felt at a deeper level, supporting one’s rebirth into a new way of being.In 1994, she received her certification in the Eupsychia Process through Jacquelyn Small, MSSW and the Eupsychia Institute Staff. She offers Eupsychia musical journeying and SoulCollage® (an intuitive artistic expression) workshops as well as healing drumming sessions and drum circles. For healing drumming, Susan uses an open-sided hoop drum to drum around the body, focusing on areas the person has indicated are problematic. She uses intuition as her guide for how long to drum in each area and the intensity and rhythm of the drumming. Drumming may also be done to strengthen and balance the chakras (energy centers in the body). The person being drummed can do this with a drum of their choice, using intuition to guide them in how long, how loud and what rhythm to use for each chakra. In 2008 Susan opened the Inner Journeys Center for individual practices and workshops related to the meditative and healing arts.

Terry Loving

Terry Loving - Teacher/Inspirational Business Coach

Workshop Staff: Memory Book & #103 - Support For Grieving Children, *Healing Gardens Staff* *Tenn Haven Staff*

A spirit of light, you cannot be in her presence without feeling her love and passion. Terry’s teaching is gentle but effective whether teaching about social media, or living life with God present. A teacher at heart, Terry has been teaching on line for over 12 years. Previously a Middle School Science Teacher specializing in technology in the Renton and Federal Way School Districts, she now helps local small businesses find internet and social media marketing solutions that allow them to succeed on line. 

© Grieving In Plain Sight 2011