Comments from Attendees
From people who have attended our conferences.
October 2011 – The Boston Conference
As a mental health professional in the field for almost 40 years, I’ve attended literally hundreds of conferences but have never been as absorbed and delighted with the topics and quality of presentations. I left feeling inspired. Roberta Taylor, RNCS, M.Ed
September 2011 Regarding the August 2011 Santa Fe Conference
“When I completed the evaluation information in Santa Fe I know that I didn’t fully realize the value of the week I spent at the conference in August. At that time I was evaluating the conference, as I would do when evaluating students presenting papers at the end of a semester. With that filter I found some presentations in need of more careful attention to the outlined objectives and think these shortcomings overshadowed the positive aspects. However I now think that approach was not entirely fair. Over the first few weeks following the conference, as I reviewed my materials and notes, I found that I brought home far more than I realized. I found so much information to incorporate into my university lecture material as well as into my planning for changes in clinical practice. I am grateful for the opportunity to be inspired by such a variety of individuals who shared expertise, experience and personal insights. I want to thank you for your continuing work that makes these conferences a great resource for growth as a person and as a professional.”
Dorella Bond, PhD. Ann Arbor, MI
March 2011 Just wanted to thank you for what turned out to be the most positive workshop experience I’ve had as either participant or leader. The conference seems to attract a group of very dedicated professionals, seeking to become better at helping people, at least from the sample I got to know in the workshop.
David Bookbinder, LMCH
April 2010 How very much we enjoyed our time with you in Italy! You went above and beyond in every aspect of the trip. Your work behind the scenes smoothed the way for us in every possible way. Your attention to detail made it the trip of a lifetime, and gave us more than we could possibly have hoped for or imagined. I can’t thank you enough for your selfless devotion and efforts on our behalf, to provide us with the best experience possible. It was a gift for our minds, bodies, and souls.
With great admiration and gratitude,
Nancy Vincent Zinke
AUGUST 2009 “Though I had heard that it’s wonderful, the conference truly exceeded my expectations. I learned so much and also was impressed by both the organization and the feeling of hospitality.” Rosemary Daniell
“I want to say a million thanks for such a GREAT conference. I had a terrific week in Santa Fe. Frankly, I was totally blown away. When have I ever attended a professional conference where a presenter receives two standing ovations? And EVERY presenter deserved a standing ovation.”
Nancy Wiener
“Thank you! It was a pleasure to experience a very different venue. I value the diversity and positive energy and especially the attention to creativity.”
Leslie Hirschaut, M.D.
“Absolutely transformational..a week that went way beyond my expectations.”
Deborah Wild
“This was the best conference I’ve ever attended.”
Barbara Roodhuyzen
“What has this conference given to me over the years? It has changed my life.
I have learned that music is an experience, not a performance. I returned home and learned to play a Bach piece. It took a year as I have a piano and can read music, but have never had music lessons. My playing, I believe adds beauty to the universe. I don’t know how I came to believe that…. but the conferences have opened something in me that has continued to grow and flourish.
I now draw as a way of expressing myself – a new vocabulary for me.
This has been a path for deeper healing of my life. It has taught me to live my life as an experience and not as a performance. This has enabled me to guide others to do the same.
I invite others to do as I have learned – to live more fully and authentically, integrating all I have been with all I might become and celebrate the possibilities of that journey.
I hope you experience the fullness of my gratitude for how your conferences have enriched my soul and freed my spirit.”
Gail Mayer MSW
“In a country that pushes alcohol, guns and synthetic drugs this format offers alternatives to promote life and health.”
Doris Marie Garber LCSW
“I have become more in tune with my self and have become a better clinician because of what I learned at these conferences”
David Sachs, LCSW
“I have been to many other clinical conferences through the years, but this one is in a class by itself in terms of relevance, realism and compassion.”
“One of the most interesting and stimulating conferences I have attended in over 40 years! Overall the quality of presentations was outstanding.
“The authenticity and ability of the presenters to reach”my depth” was so helpful.”
“Every year is better and better!”
“I am grateful for what I have gained—valuable for me to be here.”
“It has given me personal insight.”
“This will have a great impact on my work with hospice and palliative care.”
“The conference gave me permission to practice in different ways and to explore new approaches and integrate new material into my practice”
Sue Lewis, LCSW
“THANK YOU! you are realizing your goals.”
“The conference was very well done and organized.”
“I am very happy and satisfied – thank you!”
“Absolutely rejuvenating, stimulating and interesting.”
“Great exposure into diversifed and approaches.”
“I am truly overwhelmed at the joy and insight I have garnered.”
“The conference is stimulating and not boring. It redirects me.”
Virgnia Blatchley, Ph.D.
“This is a wonderful thing you do! Do more of them!”
Mary Ellen Culver, Ph.D.
“They keep getting better!”
“My attendance at the conference helped me to tap into my “inner self” and to encourage creativity in others as well.”
“I appreciate and love the wide range off speakers that you invite.”
“The conference opens my mind and my heart.”
Catherine Meeks, ATR
“My first time at a C& M Conf. it was a wonderful and rewarding experiece in many ways. I will plan on making it a yearly experience. I look forward to the
next one.”
“The conference opened my eyes to different models to use for therapeutic intervention.”
BRIGADOON © by Jeanne S. Meisler, M.D. August 28, 2007
It’s almost magical
Once a year, for a week,
A thousand people come together,
In a magical place,
To listen to scholarly papers
On creativity and madness
The topics range from
Leonard Bernstein
To Sylvia Plath;
From Johnny Cash
To Woody Allen.
And a thousand people
Who, all year long,
Work to help struggling souls
Come to grips with inner demons
And make peace with themselves,
Assemble, listen and discuss
Consciousness and the unconscious,
What makes creativity flourish
And what stymies it.
The thousand bring their stories,
Life experiences,
Professional vignettes,
And, in a magical place,
In the American Southwest,
Extraordinary encounters take place,
Ideas are shared,
Souls bared.
Much is learned,
Much thought is engendered,
And beauty, natural and man-made,
Surrounds us.
Then it’s over
For another year.
Only eleven months
Until we can return again
To this (continuing education)
Brigadoon
