Summer 2008 | Vol. 8, No.

Windhorse neWs
F o r t h e c o m m u n i t y a n d F r i e n d s o F w i n d h o r s e a s s o c i at e s

Mindfulness Everywhere You Look

By Mary Tibbetts-Cape, LICSW & Jeff Bliss, CSW

The practice of mindfulness by clinicians in their relationships with clients has been a fundamental aspect of the Windhorse approach since its beginnings, some 27 years ago. Staff members here at Windhorse Associates are expected to have an ongoing contemplative practice and a half-hour sitting meditation practice is offered to staff four days a week in the Windhorse offices.
Suddenly, in the world around us, the appreciation of mindfulness practice and its application to therapeutic relationships and mental health recovery is exploding across the social landscape. The surge of interest is so dominant that some fear it is on the cusp of becoming a fad in modern society. Workshops, trainings, and lectures about mindfulness are appearing across the country. The New York Times recently reported that the National Institute of Health is financing more than 50 studies testing mindfulness techniques, up from 3 in (the year) 2000.
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From Victoria Yoshen and Sara Watters, Interim Co-Executive Directors

as many of you know Michael Herrick has moved to London, England to be with a partner he has wanted to share his life with for some time now. We are missing him dearly and value the many benefits of his leadership; the emergence of the natural teams approach, a fiscally sound foundation for our future sustainability, and his solid, equanimous presence. We know that we will remain closely connected, especially if it involves launching the Windhorse approach in England someday. We remember Michael arriving at Windhorse seven years ago and witnessed his growing curve supported
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Mindfulness Everywhere You Look continued from pg. 1

In the Windhorse community we practice mindfulness as a way of relaxing the body and mind, increasing mental focus, practicing acceptance of ourselves and others, and perhaps most important, just learning to be present. We are pleased to see the practice of mindfulness enter the public dialogue and are finding we have much to offer the world in considering carefully how best to apply this skill to supporting an individual who is living with an extreme state of mind. In the coming months we will be looking closely at ways we can promote the careful application of mindfulness practices not only for clinical practitioners, but also for loved ones, clients, and volunteers who might be providing support to those who are working to heal themselves and recreate their lives. Here are ways that we are involved in that pursuit: On May 16th and 17th, 2008, Windhorse staff members Nick Luchetti, Renee Mendez, and Mary Tibbetts-Cape attended a conference entitled Fostering Connections, Building Relationships hosted by the Cambridge Health Alliance Physicians Organization under the auspices of the Harvard Medical School Department of Continuing Education. Most of the presenters and organizers were on the faculty of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy, also based in Boston. The general theme of the weekend was mindfulness in the interpersonal realm related to topics such as social change, transference and counter-transference in clinical work, and interpersonal neurobiology. Of particular interest to Windhorse is the work of Daniel Siegel, MD, author of The Mindful Brain on the neurobiology of attunement, using mindfulness, to self and other. Much of his lecture articulated, and bears out in scientific terms, the wisdom of the Windhorse work. Another presenter, William Slaughter, MD, lectured on the applications of mindfulness to extreme states. A Naropa graduate, William cited the writings of Ed Podvoll, Jeff Fortuna, Don Haiman and David Stark in his bibliography. He spoke briefly of our Windhorse work, households as environmental mindfulness and the Maitri program at Naropa. We found it interesting to talk with William following his presentation and found we had much in common. The weekend conference was an opportunity to further build our relationship with The Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. They are offering, for the first time beginning this fall in Boston, a certificate program in Meditation and Psychotherapy. Nick Luchetti will be teaching in the program and presenting the Windhorse work to therapists taking the course. We anticipate fostering an on-going collaboration with the Institute. In another recent development (in this rapidly developing field) Mary Tibbetts-Cape will be attending a conference at Karme-Choling on Applied Mindfulness, being held for the purpose of creating dialogue between individuals working in the areas of education, health care and business who are interesting in taking mindfulness into these non-traditional fields. And Sara Watters, currently serving as Clinical Director and the Interim Co-Executive Director, has recently traveled to Mississippi and presented at an Interfaith Conference on Mental Health for communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi. There she presented a workshop on the 10 skills of Basic Attendance.

From Victoria Yoshen and Sara Watters, Interim Co-Executive Directors continued from pg. 1

by the structures and beliefs of this workplace. Often we focus on the different healing we offer the world, but part of the unique experience here is that we offer it to ourselves and make the choice to step up and receive it. Michael embodied that learning. We wish him well and appreciate his many years of dedication to this approach. We are prepared and delighted to carry the leadership mantle during this transition to a new Executive Director. The work here continues every day and we are ready to guide it. From the conversation on a walk that might bring insight, to a council meeting that seems very quiet and sedate yet turns out to have profound effects in the subsequent weeks, to a food offering at a potluck that starts a whole new culinary exploration for someone; these moments balance the more intensive trainings, daily practices and challenging work not by being less important, but by their equal importance. This is the work of community and connection. This September we are celebrating our fifteenth year as an alternative in Northampton. There is a sense of self-sufficiency and stability that was not here even a few years ago. We are now completing the purchase of our offices here, we have a vibrant alumni group that engages with us in various ways, the Board is using the governing structures put in place over the years to good benefit, and there is a blossoming of knowledge and desire to find ways for this approach to enter the world. This feels like a time of natural expansion and sharing. The search for a permanent Executive Director comes at a good time in the organizations development, and the Boards interest in finding someone who has not necessarily come through the founding lineage, seems possible given the diversity and strength of the current staff.

As we reach out we find there exists an awareness of the value of contemplative practices and connection that allows for conversations at higher levels of exchange and possibilities. For example Sara is traveling to coastal Mississippi to present the skills of Basic Attendance to a gathering of Interfaith workers searching for new alternatives to helping the underserved in that devastated region. We are hoping to build on this expanding awareness by finding financial support to expand our peer program or help develop workable training and supervision systems for natural teams to succeed in communities all across the country. There are many reasons to be proud of the growth and stability of this organization. We look forward to helping you stay connected to our community and the work we are doing and we appreciate your support every day.

from l to r: Mary Tibbetts-Cape, Michael Herrick, Sara Watters (not shown: Victoria Yoshen)

Community news
z Because of the generous donations at the end of 2007 we are able to help several individuals this year whom would otherwise not have been able to afford the caring one on one support we provide. To help us realize more opportunities to support individuals with financial aid please consider making a donation to Windhorse. If you prefer you could direct your gift to support the Peer Counselor Training Program or our ongoing Evaluation Project. z Look at our new website at the same address,

Choosing a Pet
A cat A rat A bat And a hat Which shall I choose? Well I know that! Ill choose the cat. A rat will just sit there Telling tall tales. A bat is for baseball And baseball just fails. A hat is quite useful To keep your head warm, But hats have no feelings . And wont hide in a storm As to my choice A cat it shall be. But I wont stop at one cat Id rather have three! Jasper Fradkin (community me mber)

www.windhorseassociates.org. It has an improved layout and we think it will better inform interested parties about our approach and our community. Several new features will soon be added.
z Eric Friedland-Kays and Elise White recently traveled to Toronto, Canada to present at the INTAR (International Network Toward Alternatives and Recovery) conference with past employee Anne Marie DiGiacomo and Windhorse community member Norma Friedman. z During this past year Kermit Cole completed the nine-

month Certification in Trauma Studies program at Bessel van der Kolks Trauma Institute in Boston. He is actively engaged in applying these skills to his work with current clients.
z Mary Cape and Nick Luchetti, senior clinicians, have

taken over the Education and Training projects here at Windhorse. They are bringing great ideas and talent to the development of that area. Nick will be teaching a certificate program in Meditation and Psychotherapy this fall in Boston.
z Try to imagine the differences in an office space filled

with the aromas emitted by a bread machine and a slow cooker. Kermit Cole has brought those wonderful scents and machines to us here. Clients who stop in for lunch, staff, and visitors all seem to thrive on the bounty.

CoMingS&goingS
Comings S  arahCarr has rejoined our staff as a team leader and as a substance abuse specialist. Her experience in the substance abuse field will further strengthen this work here. W  e are delighted to have EmilyPaul here as a development intern. She is a student at Smith College and has brought a focused enthusiasm to her work here. V  ictoriaYoshen, our veteran Administrative Director and Interim Co-Executive Director of a few years ago has returned to provide her steady guidance during this transition period of executive leadership. She will serve as Interim Co-Executive Director with Sara Watters. J  anetCremins has left her position as team nurse. Her work here with clients and on the Admissions team was considerable. We are keeping our fingers crossed in hopes of finding her back on our staff in the not too distant future. S  unshineFinneran has completed here year-long internship as a Masters candidate in the Smith College School of Social Work. She brought a clear mind and heart to her work here and we benefited from knowing and working with her. T  eam leader and stirring vocalist DonHaiman has moved to Boulder, Colorado where he will be working with Windhorse Community Services there. We miss his resonance around here, but know he needed to be in Boulder.

Goings W  e say goodbye and appreciate the exceptional care provided byKastleCombs, MilenaDabova, and Katie Parker as housemates. They are each moving on to new opportunities in their lives.

We wish them all well in their future endeavors!

Home is Where Our Hearts Are

Perhaps our biggest news in this our 15th year is that wehavejust completedthepurchaseofoursuiteofoffices; a commitment to our therapeutic approach and a tribute to the alumni, families, and staff members who have created and will continue to create the Windhorse community. This means we are building equity for our sustainable future. Everything around us, which feels a bit like home to staff and clients, will be ours for the foreseeable future. When we have time we are looking at how to best reshape the available space and make it even more comfortable and responsive to the needs of our community. Any support you provide to the Building Fund will help us with that effort.

Please consider a contribution to Windhorse Associates today in support of our scholarship fund.
WinDHorSE ASSoCiAtES, a non-profit therapeutic and educational organization, is pioneering a whole-person approach to recovery from psychiatric disorders. We offer comprehensive, individually designed therapeutic programs in the community. Care is based in the clients home or in a therapeutic household shared with a staff housemate in the Northampton area. Mindfulness, attention to the whole person, restoration of personal and social connections, and belief in recovery are basic principles under-lying our approach. Windhorse also offers education and training in recovery skills and consultation to individuals and families. For more information, to request a brochure describing our programs, or to make a referral or inquire about admission, contact Admissions by phone (ext. 113), mail, or e-mail.

413-586-0207 Toll Free: 877-844-8181

WinDHorSEStAFF
Jeff Bliss, CSW, development director Daniella Brahms, respite Mary Tibbetts-Cape, LICSW, senior clinician Kermit Cole, senior clinician Anne Collins, Fiscal Manager Gineen Cooper, respite Susan Dorfman, respite Eric Friedland-Kays, Admissions / senior clinician Brittanie Jemes respite Nick Luchetti, Housemate / iP Marilyn Marks, LICSW, senior clinician Belinda Marshall respite Renee Mendez,RN, senior clinician Opeyemi Parham, respite Suzanne Rataj, respite Ben Ross, team Leader Heidi Reichhold,LICSW, substance Abuse specialist Cailin Reiken, senior clinician Kate Richardson, Office Manager Sparky Shooting Star, spiritual counselor Ilina Singh, RN, nurse Steve Smith, team counselor

www.WindhorseAssociates.org

Lindsay St John, team counselor David Stark, Peer coordinator Cheryl Stevens, respite Jordan Stout, Housemate Gabrielle Vitiello, LICSW, senior clinician Sara Watters, LMHC, clinical director / interim co-executive director Stuart Wetherbe, Housemate Elise White, Peer counselor, Office Assistant Adam Woodward, Housemate Victoria Yoshen, interim co-executive director

BoArDoFDirECtorS
Dr. Bruce McCarter, President Reuven Goldstein, vice-President Ren Thberge, MPH, MSM, treasurer David Stark, clerk Sera Davidow Carol Douglas John Copen Peter Dulchinos PHotoCrEDitSStu Wetherbe, Ellen Paleologopoulos, and LAC Design

Windhorse Associates, Inc. 211 North Street, Suite 1 Northampton, MA 01060

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