Calming an Anxious Mind (CAM)
A 2-day non-residential retreat supporting women to understand and work with anxiety, overwhelm and nervous-system responses
Calming an Anxious Mind (CAM) is an adjunct therapeutic retreat designed to complement one-on-one therapy for women accessing ACC Sensitive Claims support.
CAM offers an opportunity to explore anxiety and overwhelm through a combination of nervous-system psychoeducation, somatic practices, creative exploration and reflection, while walking alongside participants’ existing one-on-one therapy.
The retreat is facilitated in a supportive, trauma-sensitive environment where participants are invited to explore at their own pace, with choice and personal agency at the centre of the experience.
The aim of CAM
Anxiety and overwhelm can affect how we experience our thoughts, emotions, bodies, relationships and everyday lives.
CAM aims to support participants to:
develop a greater understanding of anxiety and overwhelm
recognise how stress and threat responses can show up in the body
explore practical ways of responding to anxious or overwhelmed states
develop greater awareness of personal needs and resources
explore body-based practices that support self-awareness and regulation
reconnect with creativity, curiosity and choice
build a personal toolkit of practices that can be taken into everyday life.
CAM is not about eliminating anxiety or asking participants to simply “calm down”. Instead, it provides opportunities to understand what is happening and explore different ways of relating to our internal experiences.
What to expect
CAM takes place over two days in a small, supportive group environment.
Across the retreat, participants will be invited to explore a range of practices including:
Nervous-system Psychoeducation
Accessible information about anxiety, overwhelm and nervous-system responses, and how these can influence the way we experience our bodies, emotions, thoughts and behaviour.
Trauma-Sensitive Somatic Practices
Gentle, body-based explorations that support participants to notice sensations, impulses, patterns and responses, and develop greater awareness of their internal experience.
Creative Exploration
Opportunities to use creative processes to reflect, express and explore experiences in ways that don’t rely solely on words.
Reflection, Integration & Connection
Experiential practices and guided reflection invite participants to explore what resonates with their own experience with opportunities to share, connect and learn from one another.
There is no expectation to participate in every activity. Participants are encouraged to listen to their own needs and make choices about what feels right for them.
Step 1 — Request a Purchase Order from ACC
Please contact the client’s Recovery Partner to request:
SCSGTT x1 – Triage
Required for all groups/retreats
CAM Auckland RetreatSCSGT x16 – CAM Auckland Retreat
Vendor ID: VAH127 – The Nelson Clinic
Facilitators:
Jade Ferriere – Trauma Sensitive Group Facilitator
ACC ID: PVTJF0124Sarah Edwards – ACC Registered Counsellor
ACC ID: PAS256
Please copy sarah.edwards@nelsonclinic.nz and groups@nelsonclinic.nz into your email to the Recovery Partner.
Step 2 — Registration with The Nelson Clinic
Once the Purchase Order has been approved, The Nelson Clinic will send a registration form to be completed.
Step 3 — Triage call
Once the Purchase Order and registration form have been received.
Sarah will contact the participant and their Lead Provider to assess needs, answer any questions and provide orientation to the retreat.
Your facilitators
Jade Ferrière
Sarah Edwards
Details
Term 4 2-day Retreat: 28 - 29 November 2026
Duration: Saturday 11.30am - 5.30pm and Sunday 10.30am - 4.30pm.
Where: Blockhouse Bay Boat Club, Auckland (Non-residential)
Contact:
For further information about CAM or the registration process, please contact Jade and Sarah.
