Elevate: Veterans-Only
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Chief Medical Officer, Dimensions
Dr. D.J. Cook is Chairperson and Head of Neurosurgery at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Cook practises cerebrovascular and skull base neurosurgery at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. His research program is focused on brain network dynamics in health, disease and recovery.
Clinical Director, Dimensions Algonquin Highlands
A registered psychotherapist and integrative mental health provider with over 20 years of experience, Donald leads Retreat programming at Dimensions Algonquin Highlands. His clinical work focuses on healing through somatic and trauma therapies that are evidence-based and supported by neuroscience research. To guide Dimensions guests in the process of preparing and integrating their ceremonial experiences, he integrates relational somatic psychotherapy, sensorimotor psychotherapy, EMDR, Acceptance and commitment therapy, and internal family systems therapy with complementary wellness practices. He has received training and certification in psychedelic guiding, psychedelic assisted psychotherapy, Somatic Psychedelic Psychotherapy, and ethical right relationship in psychedelic therapy.
Over the course of his career he has worked entirely with people looking to improve their mental health. He has extensive experience in working with PTSD, depression, anxiety, trauma, complex family dynamics, grief and relationship challenges. Donald was a key member of the clinical team at Helix Healthcare Group, a treatment facility for mental health and addiction. For over two decades Donald has based his own private practice in Toronto. He believes in the importance of reciprocity and worked to remove the barriers of access by providing free mental health services to marginalized individuals at his private practice.
Registered Psychotherapist
Helena’s key belief for optimal mental health and emotional well-being is “the body wants to feel good and the mind wants to know.” In addition to running her private practice, Helena is a clinical supervisor and teaches at the Transformational Arts College. She specializes in trauma and complex post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and grief. Her clinical work focuses on neuroscientific evidence-based treatments utilizing neuro-experiential and somatic therapies as well as transpersonal psychotherapy.
Registered Psychotherapist
Gina studied transpersonal psychotherapy at the Transformational Arts College of Spiritual and Holistic Training and is a registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She is trained in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, structural dissociation, sensorimotor psychotherapy, relational somatic psychotherapy, deep brain reorienting and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Gina co-founded the Healing Therapy Alliance in Toronto.
Registered Psychotherapist
Natasha Senra-Pereira MSW, RSW, RP is a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist supporting clients in both hospital settings and private practice for the last 18 years. She has advanced trainings in numerous modalities (IFS, EMDR, Somatic-relational) and experience in various forms of meditation. Her work is guided by the newest research as well as her own personal healing experiences – which is detailed in the best-selling book, “Talk Therapy Isn’t Enough”. Over the last several years, her teaching and focus have been the intersectionality of grounded spirituality, and mental health.
Dimensions’ evidence-based programs for Veterans-only draw on timeless wisdom of traditional healing practices combined with neuroscience to inspire an evolution of mind, body, and spirit.
A Dimensions Retreat is a place to reconnect with yourself and heal from within. Facilitated by evidence-based therapies. Dimensions offers a holistic approach to resilience and self-growth all taking place amongst the lush Ontario woodlands of the Algonquin Highlands.
ELEVATE FOR VETERANS-ONLY
Your path to healing actually begins well before you arrive at your retreat.
Our team at Dimensions will get you prepared in the time leading up to your journey. They will be there with you on the ground, during the retreat and will continue to help through the integration process following your time at Dimensions Algonquin Highlands.
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Guided collaborative therapy which will allow Dimensions to tailor an experience specific to your individual needs and intentions.
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Preparation begins two weeks prior to your arrival. In order to optimize your time throughout this process, Dimensions offers self-directed access to meditations, breathwork and other exercises to help you build the skills needed to get the most out of your journey.
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It is time to connect with others. This retreat begins with a variety of mindfulness-based practices that will allow you to reflect inwards and access hard to reach parts of yourself in a serene and supportive setting. You will also be encouraged to connect outwards with nature and other community members throughout your journey.
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In the weeks following your retreat, the goal is to help support sustainable self-growth and extend the benefits long after your stay. Through the help of your community, and our teams, you will be armed with lifestyle habits to extend the benefits long into the future.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Programmed activities, throughout the 10 day retreat, are dependent on treatment schedules
and individual needs:
These therapeutic methods may be used in combination during a retreat both in individual and group settings so as a result, the number of hours provided will vary based on the individual and indication.
Dimensions Algonquin Highlands
is located at:
1218 Canopy Lane,
Maple Lake,
Stanhope Township,
Ontario.
Getting there
45° 06′ 22.48″ N, 78° 39′ 29.55″ W
Dimensions Algonquin Highlands can be reached from Toronto by car, helicopter or private air. Driving from Toronto via Highway 400 North with a connection to Highway 11N and then a right turn to 118 West brings guests to our door in approximately three hours. From Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport or Toronto Pearson International Airport, flight time to the nearby Stanhope Municipal Airport (CND4) is one hour. The Retreat spans nearly 16 hectares of woodlands, and is located in Stanhope Township along the shores of Maple Lake, at 1218 Canopy Lane. This forest access road leads south from the Township’s Airport Road, just 6 kilometres from the nearest community of Carnarvon and 20 kilometres from the larger town of Minden, Ontario.
“Northern Ontario's picturesque landscape, with its lakeside setting, robust hills, and expansive forest trails, provides an unparalleled environment for recovery and healing. Studies indicate that spending time in nature significantly aids in the treatment of mental health conditions including PTSD, Depression, and Anxiety. By reducing stress levels, increasing mood, and improving sleep, nature can significantly contribute to mental well-being.”
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Reset in comfort from any one of our 17 private cabins. Our serene accommodations and thoughtful amenities allow for complete relaxation.
Dotting the edge of a forest or overlooking the water, our cabin suites each have a footprint of about 450 square feet. The cabins feel modern and forward-thinking while remaining rooted in their context and a sense of wholesomeness. Each interior is simple, luxurious and light-filled, with a window seat and private deck that encourage you to immerse yourself in nature, quiet your mind and rest your body.
Cabins
Tucked under the boughs of majestic poplar, maple and oak trees, our 12 forest view cabins feel like hidden havens. Their traditional forms echo local architectural vernacular but are rendered absolutely modern through their cedar cladding, porches and minimalist detailing. Skylights and large picture windows fill each cabin with natural light and open them to late-night stargazing. At once minimal and sumptuous, our forest view cabins bring contemporary comfort to the doorstep of nature.
Cabins
Watch the sun rise and set from our four south-facing lake view cabins nestled along the shoreline of Maple Lake. Designed to sit discreetly within the landscape, each cedar-clad cabin has a gently sloped roof that rises to allow for sweeping views through a large lake-facing window. Quietly beautiful interiors keep your focus on yourself and your surroundings.
planning your ELEVATE Veterans-Only Retreat