Compassionate Bodywork for Death & Dying

lina trochez ktpkyus3qjs unsplash
Aug 15, 2025 – Aug 16, 2025

Compassionate Bodywork for Death, Dying & Grief: Virginia Beach, VA

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.

  • Virginia Beach
  • 9:00am-6:00pm
  • 16 NCBTMB CE hours
  • Cathy Brooksie Edwards, MA, LCMHC, LMBT
  • $325 early registration (regular price $375 before 7/1)

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. 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, live 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)

20190820 180024 ins chat brooksie 2
woman practicing somatic movement in her health studio, awareness through movement, embodiment and feldenkrais method

A highly experiential training

• Learn standard procedures, precautions, and guidelines for hands-on healing in various settings (office, clinical, home).
• Practice positioning, techniques, and energy holds to safely meet the needs of the dying person.
• Develop mindful communication skills to create a safe, supportive environment for end-of-life clients and families.
• Understand the roles of professionals in end-of-life care and the stages of the dying and grief process.
• Define compassionate bodywork and explore personal emotional responses, beliefs, and concepts.
• Build trust and create a safe container through effective communication.
• Explore self-care practices for mind, body, and spirit well-being.
• Identify healing techniques, equipment, and supplies for different settings, including treatment room set-up and essential oils.
• Practice proper positioning, draping, bolstering, and body mechanics for effective treatment.
• Develop treatment plans and practice hands-on techniques and communication skills.

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 Doorway Into LightInternational Death Doula Training in 2018. 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 training 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.

Unity of Tidewater is a wonderful oasis centrally located in Virginia Beach, conveniently located off of 64 with easy access to Norfolk, Hampton and Virginia Beach. For those traveling to the training, there are an abundance of hotel and AirBnb accommodations close by.

We need one massage table for every two people attending. You will receive a welcome email after registering with a list of what to bring. This email arrives within 24-48 hours of your registration. If you didn’t receive it, please check your spam box 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

Unity of Tidewater

Virginia Beach

  • 5580 Shell Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
  • Website

stacked rocks

Sign Up Form

Register Now

Hold your spot with $100 deposit

Related Workshops & Retreats

Compassionate Bodywork for Death & Dying

  • lina trochez ktpkyus3qjs unsplash