The mission of Family Forte is to build stronger family systems through education and compassionate listening, to improve interpersonal relationships, and to enhance mutual cooperation contributing to communal strength.
The group workshop is for adults who would like to learn what are the essentials of creating a harmonious family system and community. We will explore through the lens of the Redwood Family, roles of family members, respect, boundaries, provisions, and other topics that arise.
Upcoming opportunities for group session opportunities are
Thursday, June 11
Saturday, June 13
A minimum of four (4) participants is needed for the Circle to make. The maximum is twelve (12).
Facilitators:
Dr. Shazia Anwar: Listening to the Redwoods:
Shazia was born in Karachi, Pakistan. She was trained as an OB/GYN in Karachi. She has lived in Chicago for more than 20 years where she did Academic research in psychiatry. To incorporate the spiritual component in her work, she obtained a degree in Islamic Sciences, with special interest in Islamic Psychology and Counseling. Her husband is a Physician, they are blessed with three children and a grandchild.
Dr. Lil Smith: Compassionate Listening:
Lil was born in Nashville, TN and is the granddaughter of the first licensed psychiatrist in the state of TN. Frank Luton is her mentor in ministry as he knew deeply the interconnectedness of mental health and the family. As a co-founder of Retreat House, Lil’s passion is holding space for compassionate listening to self, others, and communities. Her husband is an entrepreneur, they are blessed with three children and two grandchildren.
Why Family Forte?
Lil and Shazia have been working on this project for more than a year. It started with a discussion on how we can bring compassion into our family systems. Something that would feel more like a gentle breeze and opens our minds for higher perception.
We had our first pilot session within the RH community .The second one with community leaders who brought in their expertise in various professional backgrounds.
Check out some of our reviews:
The comparison of human family systems to the redwood forest is excellent, nature has so much to teach us’
Sherry
spiritual director
retired RN, retired minister
This knowledge is so valued and has been missing from my experience as a young parent. This concept is so wonderful, so needed in our world and community!
Kasey
executive director nonprofit for moms
Well thought out and very thought provoking.
Gavin
ministry leader, youth impact leader
spiritual director
Very excited about possibilities in my family. This is so appropriate for family discussion, regardless of religious tradition.
Arva
a devoted grandmother
I think this is very helpful for our country not just families in this time of polarization and loss of compassion era.
Robin
hospice chaplain
writer
Wonderful thought provoking content, it inspires a necessary conversation for families.
Sheeza
executive coach, trainer, counselor
This will be very helpful for the people I work with who are out of crisis and need of building back their family systems.
Mona
nonprofit CEO, works with trauma- culture-women
In addition to our group sessions at RH, private family sessions (adults and their children) are available by contacting Shazia directly at Shazia@retreathousecommunity.org
Reach out to Shazia for available days and times.
Private Individual 75 minute session: $65 base fee plus a $10 materials fee per person.
More information about Family Forte can be found here. Facilitated by Shazia Anwar and Lil Smith.