A day dedicated to supporting and empowering carepartners through meaningful connections, shared experiences, and practical strategies for the caregiving journey.
Through engaging presentations and discussions, the workshop will explore emergency and contingency planning, communication, mental health, and emotional well-being.
Presentations
Preparing for the Unexpected: Building Emergency and Contingency Plans
Caregivers like you spend an average of 11–30 hours each week providing care for family members, partners, and friends. The physical and emotional support you give is vital to the health and wellbeing of those you care for. But what happens when you need support? With caregiver burnout at an all-time high and life as unpredictable as ever, it can be very helpful to have a plan in place and people you trust to help. Taking time to build a plan and sharing it with those who matter can offer peace of mind and reduce stress. In this presentation, you will learn about:
- The importance and value of planning
- A step-by-step guide to building your plan
- Communicating with those around you about your plan
- How to put your plan into action
Finding Calm: Understanding and Regulating Your Nervous System
In this experiential workshop, participants will learn how the nervous system responds to stress and how different nervous system states can influence emotions, behaviors, and overall well-being. We will explore body-based practices that can help regulate the nervous system and reduce symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, and overwhelm.
Drawing on principles of nervous system regulation, participants will gain practical tools to support emotional resilience, increase self-awareness, and foster a greater sense of calm and connection.
The presentation will conclude with a guided clinical hypnosis session focused on resourcing and anchoring, helping participants connect with internal strengths, cultivate feelings of safety and stability, and develop accessible tools they can return to in their daily lives.
Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of mind-body connections and practical techniques to support their mental and emotional well-being.
Register
Speakers
Emily Ayenew
EMILY AYENEW is the Regional Lead for Western Ontario with The Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO), where she builds community connections and helps caregivers access valuable programs, resources, and support.
With a background in care navigation, social services, research, and the socialization of older adults, Emily brings a strong understanding of the needs and experiences of caregivers. She is passionate about community engagement and connecting more caregivers across Ontario with the resources available to support them.
Jessica Cragg, MSW
JESSICA CRAGG, MSW, is a Certified Therapist and Hypnotherapist with more than 15 years of experience supporting individuals and families. Her ongoing professional development includes training in anxiety, depression, grief, attachment, and trauma, as well as approaches such as mindfulness, Ego State Therapy, somatic practices, Polyvagal Theory, and neurodivergent-affirming therapy. She is also a certified EMDR therapist.
Jessica is committed to continued learning and understanding the impacts of colonialism, prejudice, racism, and oppression. She strives to use her position and privilege to advocate for others and provide compassionate, inclusive support.
