Grief and Transition

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Jan 30, 2027 – Jan 31, 2027

Compassionate Bodywork for Death, Dying & Grief: Durham NC

Hold your spot with $100 deposit

Be a part of the renewed movement to help others make their final transition with ease, deep meaning and less fear.

  • North Carolina: Durham
  • 9:00am-6:00pm
  • 16 NCBTMB CE hours
  • Cathy Brooksie Edwards, MA, LCMHC, LMBT
  • $325 early registration price before 12/16, regular price $375

A renewed movement

This two-day course provides an opportunity to explore the themes of grief and death while learning practical, hands-on healing techniques designed to support individuals nearing the end of life. Whether you are called to become a Death Doula or simply want to feel more confident supporting loved ones through life’s final transition, this course offers both practical skills and deep personal exploration. With a growing movement focused on embracing natural death, this course emphasizes helping people transition peacefully, with greater meaning and reduced fear. We will examine our personal emotional responses, beliefs, and approaches when working with those who are dying, while also enhancing our self-care practices and establishing healthy boundaries. The course is interactive, featuring a mix of small and large group discussions, sacred music, case studies, experiential exercises, skill-building, and hands-on practice. Time will be devoted to creating a safe, nurturing environment for exploring this sensitive and profound process.

Instructor, Cathy Brooksie Edwards, MA, LCMHC, LMBT (pictured right)

brooksie on fence
woman practicing somatic movement in her health studio, awareness through movement, embodiment and feldenkrais method

What you’ll experience

• Cultivate the presence and mindful communication skills that help create a safe, compassionate space.
• Deepen your understanding of the dying process, grief, and the unique roles of those who offer care and support at the end of life.
• Explore what compassionate bodywork means while gently examining your own beliefs, experiences, and emotional responses to death and dying.
• Learn how to build trust and create a nurturing container
• Discover nourishing self-care practices that allow you to remain grounded.
• Gain practical guidance for offering hands-on care in treatment rooms, homes, hospice, and clinical settings with confidence, sensitivity, and respect.
• Practice supportive positioning, gentle touch, and energy holds that bring comfort, ease, and dignity.
• Become familiar with the equipment, supplies, treatment room set-up, and complementary tools, including essential oil, that can enhance comfort and care.
• Learn body mechanics, draping, bolstering, and positioning techniques that support both your client’s comfort and your own well-being.
• Integrate everything through hands-on practice, case discussions, and guided experiences as you develop compassionate treatment approaches that honor each person’s unique journey.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Cathy Brooksie Edwards, MA, LCMHC, LMBT is a licensed clinical counselor with over 25 years of experience. She earned her Master’s in Community Counseling and an undergraduate degree in Music Performance from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1996. After relocating to North Carolina, Brooksie obtained her diploma in massage and bodywork therapy from The Body Therapy Institute.

After becoming a Hospice Volunteer, Brooksie graduated from Ram Dass’s Doorway Into Light – International Death Doula Training in 2018 and is a certified Death Doula. This training enabled her to support individuals, families, and communities during illness, diagnoses and beyond. Additionally, she is a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher, integrating movement and music into the grief process. She started the non-profit Heart2Heart in NorthCarolina, to support those navigating end of life, death and the path of grief and renewal.

Brooksie offers a variety of modalities, such as hands-on healing, energy work, body talk practices, gentle guidance, and music. These healing practices assist individuals, families, and communities through times of loss, grief, transition, and fear.  She believes that deep stillness, unconditional love, non-judgment, and kindness create a sacred space for healing. Her integrative intuitive style and up close experience with death brings a richness to her workshops that you will not want to miss.

This course is designed for the massage therapist, hospice worker, death doula, mental health professional, nurse, physician, yoga teacher or anyone interested in supporting those at end of life. This is a highly experiential training with sessions to explore your own journey around death, dying and grief.

Yes. Compassionate Bodywork for Death, Dying and Grief is NCBMTB Approved and massage therapists receive 16 CE hours. You will receive a certificate of completion electronically to submit to your state licensing board or for recertification with the NCBTMB.

Shared Vision Retreat, a quiet oasis and non-residential retreat just a few miles away from downtown Durham. Formerly the Old Murphey School, there is an abundance of natural light and hardwood floors in the classroom space, creating a warm and welcoming learning environment. There are plenty of accommodations close by for every budget.

For those traveling by plane, the closest airport is Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).

We need one massage table for every two people attending. You will receive automatic confirmation email after registering with a list of what to bring. If you didn’t receive it, please check your spam box, be in touch with us and add the email [email protected] to your contacts to ensure deliverability.

Reach out to Sharon at [email protected] or call 919-907-0579. We look forward to hearing from you!

You can also visit our Policies & FAQs page for more information.

Location

Shared Visions Retreat Center

North Carolina: Durham

  • 3717 Murphy School Rd, Durham, NC 27705
  • Website

3558359022fe74f038f7

Sign Up Form

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Hold your spot with $100 deposit

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