Our signature program. Developed by Dr. Alastair Cunningham, a senior scientist and psychologist at the Ontario Cancer Centre, The Healing Journey can help you develop a calmer, more positive frame of mind while coping with cancer. The Healing Journey is a program that guides individuals through a step-by-step process to gain skills in coping, relaxation and self-directed healing. The program understands "healing" as "a progressive process which depends on a gradual increase in understanding and connection with all parts of ourselves".

The Healing Journey Level 1: Coping with Stress teaches basic coping skills: deep relaxation, stress control, positive mental imagery, and lifestyle management.  The group is informal and friendly.  For more information, current research, testimonials, videos and to download information about the program visit http://www.healingjourney.org.uk/  6-week program, held at HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre.

This is level two of HopeSpring's signature program, The Healing Journey.  This program will expand upon the teaching of coping skills, and incorporate deep relaxation, stress control, positive mental imagery and visualization, and healthy communication. Group members will delve into practicing new, advanced coping skills.  To explore Dr. Alastair Cunningham's research and download materials used in the program visit http://www.healingjourney.ca/  All participants in Level 1 or Level 2 receive a workbook and CD that will help them use the skills learned in the program on their own. 8-week program, held at HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre.

This program provides an overview of what robs us of energizing sleep and presents strategies to decrease insomnia through effective sleep behaviours, setting realistic goals, relaxing the body, and resting a busy brain. The program will present strategies to decrease insomnia through effective sleep behaviours, relaxing the body in bed, and most importantly - strategies to settle a busy brain. These are skills which develop and strengthen with practice; hence a multi-session training program is more effective than a single presentation.

Over this 5-week program, participants will learn sleep-strengthening behaviours and techniques that prepare the mind and body for a restful night. Participants will be able to recognize their personal energy gains and drains, perform relaxation and mental calming techniques that prepare mind/body for sleep to come, and monitor their progress with a sleep diary.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn and practice both in class and at home the essential techniques explored in the selected book.

Meditation is a time tested technique for relaxing and reducing stress in the body and calming the mind. In this program, we explore many different meditation practices; for example, focusing attention on the breath, visualization, mantra, thought awareness and others. We often combine meditation with some form of journaling.

Regular practice of meditation can bring positive changes in behaviour, state of mind and attitude. It develops tranquility and inner peace. It awakens an ability to calmly with problems and difficulties while dealing with worries and anxieties.

PowerFood is a hands-on nutrition and cooking program for people with cancer and caregivers, family members and friends. Research has shown that nutrition seems to be one of the key factors in the development of cancer.

The program will focus on problems that occur with eating while in chemotherapy, such as loss of appetite, digestion problems, nausea, and vomiting. Nutritious meals and snacks will help individuals endure through these times by being prepared. The program will also explore food as a resource for nourishing the soul.

The PowerFood program will focus on creating rich and fulfilling diet with vegetables, sprouts, nuts, seeds, whole grain, and small amounts of dairy and organic meats. The program is designed to increase immune function in the body and to eliminate toxic by-products from cooking.