| Art Therapy |
Art Therapy provides an opportunity to receive support from other cancer patients through a creative, but non-verbal, shared experience. Using techniques such as painting or sculpting to raise and address cancer-related issues, a professional leader will guide you through topics such as the loss of health, the disruption that cancer can cause to one's life, the impact of cancer on the family, and the emotions associated with the diagnosis of cancer and its treatment.
Class format: Registered Available to: Patients only Duration: 6 weeks Requirements: n/a |
| Body-Mind Meditation |
This introductory program will teach you accessible, proven ways to reduce stress, improve coping skills and regain control over your emotions and thoughts. If you want to try meditation for the first time or are not feeling well enough to commit to regular practice, Body-Mind Meditation is for you!
Class format: Registered Available to: Patients and Caregivers Duration: 8 weeks |
| “Brain Fog”- Cognitive Enhancement Strategies |
The goal of this program is to improve cognitive improvements often associated with cancer treatment, such as memory loss, difficulty finding words, decreased attention and concentration, difficulty with multi-tasking and changes in motor function and coordination. Developed by neuropsychologist Dr. Heather Palmer of Maximum Capacity, the “Brain Fog” program is an educational and experiential program that introduces participants to cognitive enhancement strategies that can be adapted to individual style and integrated into daily life.
Class format: Registered Available to: Patients and Caregivers Duration: 8 weeks Requirements: Completion of treatment |
| Breast Cancer Support Group | Women who are newly diagnosed or in treatment have the opportunity to meet with other breast cancer patients. The meetings are professionally facilitated and have support and information sharing components.
Class Format: Registered Available To: Newly diagnosed or in treatment Duration: 8 weeks |
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Cancer Exercise
Supported in part by:
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This research-based exercise program will allow you to benefit from exercise while undergoing treatment, and following, to aid in recovery. Your experience will include a personal assessment, individual exercise plan, group exercise sessions, and oversight for your transition to exercise at home.
Class format: Registered Available to: Patients Duration: 10 weeks, 2 times per week Requirements: Completed Wellspring Dr’s consent form |
| Children’s and Parents’ Support Group |
This program is comprised of two separate sessions – one for children who have a parent with cancer and the other for the parents. It addresses the well-being of children, communication strategies to help them cope and understand the changes in the family, broader family issues and special needs around care of children. The children’s program is co-led by two experienced professionals who will help your children express their feelings and experiences with other children in a safe environment, discuss the “facts” of cancer, and gain comfort from knowing that there are other kids in a similar situation. You will meet with other parents and discuss the varied needs and issues that you and others face, and learn coping strategies developed specifically for children. Class format: Registered- separate but concurrent programs Available to: Patients and their children Duration: 7 weeks Requirements: Children aged 5-12 |
| Discussion Series |
Each month Wellspring invites experts from throughout the cancer and health care system to speak on a variety of topics relating to cancer, cancer treatment, nutrition, health, wellness, and much more. You will benefit from the information provided at each session, as well as the opportunity to network with others who have similar informational needs, concerns and questions. For a list of upcoming sessions, click here.
Class format: Registered Available to: Everyone Duration: Varied depending on topic Requirements: n/a |
| Drumming |
Drumming and rhythm exercises will allow you to express emotions, manage stress, achieve a sense of internal balance and communicate non-verbally. No prior drumming experience is necessary.
Class format: Registered Available to: Patients and Caregivers Duration: 6 week |
| Energy-Based Services |
Reiki and Therapeutic Touch are designed to help restore your body’s natural and healthy flow of energy while providing a relaxing experience and improving your sense well-being. These services are intended to complement your participation in other Wellspring programs.
Class format: By appointment Available to: Patients and Caregivers Duration: A maximum of three individual appointments per person Requirements: n/a |
| Experienced Tai Chi |
If you are experienced in Tai Chi and have completed the twelve week program, Experienced Tai Chi will allow you to practice weekly to enhance your skills.
Class format: Registered Available to: Patients and Caregivers Duration: 12 weeks Requirements: Completion of Wellspring Tai Chi Program |
| Gentle Yoga |
Gentle Yoga can help you to exercise control over your physical and emotional well-being through body awareness techniques, stretching and movement exercises. Program leaders will teach you gentle, slow-paced movements, adapted to your own personal physical abilities at any stage of treatment. You can also achieve enhanced physical strength and flexibility as well as improving connection between your mind and body. Class format: Drop-in Date: Friday’s 1-2:30pm Available to: Patients, Caregivers |
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The Healing Journey Supported in part by:
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Through the five levels of The Healing Journey program you will be introduced to a variety of support and coping strategies as well as spirituality in the context of cancer. You will sample techniques proven effective in improving one’s ability to cope and move forward through education and instruction as well as small group discussion about personal circumstances and needs. The Healing Journey is a multi-level support and coping program developed by Dr. Alastair Cunningham of the Princess Margaret Hospital. Class format: Registered, Wellspring Chinguacousy currently offers Level 1 through 3. Levels 4 & 5 are available at other Wellsprings in the GTA Available to: Patients and Caregivers Duration: Level 1: Coping with Cancer Stress (4 weeks) *Level 4: Becoming Authentic (8 weeks) *Level 5: A holistic focus on themes from all four previous levels of program, offering spiritual exploration and opportunities to practice spiritual coping skills. (8 weeks) *Not currently offered at Wellspring Chinguacousy Requirements: It is recommended to progress in order through levels 1 through 5. |
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Knitting for Wellness |
Whether you are new to knitting and/or crocheting, or have been crafting scarves and mittens for years, all are welcome to join as we knit for wellness. This group provides an opportunity for cancer patients and their family members to meet and find support through sharing stories in a relaxed, informal environment, while acquiring or improving their knitting and/or crocheting skills. Class format: Drop-in Date: Friday’s, 1-3pm Available to: Patients, Caregivers Requirements: n/a |
| Lending Library |
Wellspring Chinguacousy, together with the Brampton Public Library, has developed an extensive lending library of books, tapes and DVD's on a wide variety of titles pertaining to cancer. Members are welcome to browse and read at the centre, or sign the materials out, and new resources will be arriving regularly as they are available.
Class format: Drop-in Available to: Everyone Duration: Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm Requirements: n/a |
| Lymphoma Support Group | Individuals diagnosed with Lymphoma have an opportunity to meet with other lymphoma patients.
Class Format: Registered Available To: Patients diagnosed with Lymphoma Duration: 8 weeks |
| Money Matters |
If you have concerns about how you will support yourself financially if you are too sick to work, are looking for options for drug coverage, have questions about returning to work, or have any other questions and concerns about the financial realities of your situation, our Money Matters case managers will help you understand, and navigate through the maze of government income and support programs. Assistance with completing necessary government forms is also offered, as you are provided with information on various income and benefits programs, such as Employment Insurance Benefits, Canada Pension Plan, Ontario Disability Support Program, and employer-based short-term and long-term disability pensions. Class format: By appointment Available to: Patients and Caregivers Duration: n/a Requirements: n/a |
| Music Therapy |
Many issues common to cancer, such as family disruption, loss of health, fear, and coping with treatment, are often difficult to express verbally. Music Therapy will allow you to address these and other issues in a non-verbal and non-threatening way. No prior music training or experience is necessary to benefit from this gentle and creative program.
Class format: Registered Available to: Patients and Caregivers Duration: 8 weeks Requirements: n/a |
| Peer Support |
Peer Support volunteers are cancer survivors and caregivers of cancer patients who are specially trained to provide emotional and coping support to others who are in a similar situation. By speaking privately with a peer volunteer, you may gain a sense of comfort and reassurance, as well as practical suggestions on ways to cope with the diagnosis and treatment. Peer Support volunteers can also help guide you in selecting programs at Wellspring to meet your needs, and will assist you with program enrollment.
Class format: in person or by telephone Available to: Patients and Caregivers *also available in Punjabi & Hindi on request Duration: as necessary between Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm & Saturday 9am - 12noon |
| Qi Gong |
You can improve your emotional, spiritual and physical wellness through this traditional Chinese system of health preservation. It includes movement, meditation and breathing in combination to help you achieve an improved sense of well-being.
Class format: Registered Available to: Patients and Caregivers Duration: 6 or 8 weeks Requirements: n/a |
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Relaxation and Visualization |
Relaxation and Visualization techniques can improve your well-being, manage stress and help you cope with difficult situations. A professional leader will guide you through a relaxation and visualization exercise and provide instruction on the use of these techniques.
Class format: Drop-in Date: Friday’s 10:30-12pm Available to: Patients, Caregivers Requirements: n/a |
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Restorative Yoga |
Restorative Yoga can help you to exercise control over your physical and emotional well-being through body awareness techniques, stretching and movement exercises. Using props to support the body and deepen the benefits of the poses, this soothing and nurturing practice can help you to benefit from the effects of conscious relaxation. Class format: Registered Available to: Patients, Caregivers Duration: 4 weeks Requirements: n/a |
| Return To Work | The Return to Work program is an educational and support program that addresses the concerns of individuals considering returning to work. Some of the topics that will be covered include managing the feelings about returning to work, managing health and personal information at work and information on government benefits and the legal rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees.
Class Format: Registered Available To: Cancer Patients who intend to return to work Duration: 8 week program in addition to 2 pre-sessions |
| South Asian Women’s Support Group | This support group will provide an opportunity for individuals who speak Punjabi to meet with others going through a cancer experience. The meetings have support and information sharing components. This group is professionally facilitated by a Punjabi speaking social worker.
Class Format: Registered Available To: Punjabi speaking Women who have a diagnosis of any type Duration: 8 weeks |
| Tai Chi |
As you learn about this traditional Chinese system of health preservation, you will combine movement and meditation to promote emotional, spiritual and physical well-being.
Class format: Registered Available to: Patients and Caregivers Duration: 12 weeks Requirements: n/a |
| Writing for the Health of It |
Telling and writing stories is a way of making sense of our lives and the way we experience our world. In this program, you will take part in various creative writing activities with the ultimate goal of writing your life story. You will move progressively towards recovering and exerting some measure of control over your life, reclaiming your story and your voice. No previous experience in writing is necessary.
Class format: Registered Available to: Patients and Caregivers Duration: 8 weeks Requirements: n/a |
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Yoga |
Yoga can help you to exercise control over your physical and emotional well-being through body awareness techniques, stretching and movement exercises. You can also achieve enhanced physical strength and flexibility as well as improving connection between your mind and body.
Class format: Registered or Drop-in Date: Available to: Patients, Caregivers Duration for Registered: 8 weeks, please call the centre for more details |
