Wellness Classes and
Workshops in Pittsburgh
Cacao Ceremony: Ancient Wisdom & Wellness
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 from 7:00PM – 8:00PM at our Monroeville location.
Cacao Ceremonies are deeply rooted in history, tracing their origins back to the ancient Maya and Aztec civilizations. These ceremonies are revered as sacred and celebratory rituals, carried through generations as a means of connecting with the divine and each other.
At the heart of these ceremonies is the purest form of chocolate – cacao. This unadulterated, natural source of chocolate is not only a delight for the taste buds but also a treasure trove of mental and physical health benefits.
Participants in these ceremonies engage in a mindful and intentional consumption of cacao, elevating it beyond a mere treat. Cacao, in its purest form, is a superfood laden with antioxidants, essential minerals, and vitalizing vitamins. This ceremonial experience is a profound way to nourish both body and soul.
As you sip and savor the cacao, you do so with intention, allowing its essence to infuse your being. The result is a heightened sense of awareness, connection, and well-being. The cacao’s natural properties combine with the power of intention to create a potent elixir for both body and spirit.
In the aftermath of a Cacao Ceremony, participants often find themselves bathed in feelings of happiness and gratitude. The experience is not just about indulgence; it’s a holistic journey that touches the heart and soul. It’s a reminder that in the simplicity of a cup of cacao, there is profound wisdom and nourishment waiting to be discovered.
$30 per person / Minimum of 6 people – Maximum of 20
Forest Bathing Nature Walk
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 from 10:00AM – 12:00PM at Frick Park Hollow
Step into the world of holistic well-being with The Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh. Immerse yourself in the healing embrace of nature as we invite you to join our transformative Nature Therapy and Forest Bathing journey.
Our seasoned guide will lead you through the immersive experience of Forest Bathing, also known as “Shinrin-yoku.” This mindful practice invites you to connect with the natural world on a profound level, engaging your senses and fostering an invaluable connection with your surroundings.
Unlock a multitude of well-being benefits through Nature Therapy and Forest Bathing. Scientific research from the National Library of Medicine reveals that just two hours spent in a forest environment can significantly enhance both your physical and mental state. Reduced stress, improved mood, lower blood pressure – these are just a few of the positive outcomes you can anticipate. In essence, nature’s embrace can nurture your body and mind, boost creativity, evoke awe, and instill a deeper sense of self-connection.
Our Nature Therapy programs cater to diverse needs, whether you’re seeking personal growth, stress relief, or a deeper bond with nature. Experience firsthand the life-altering influence of nature therapy and forest bathing against the backdrop of Pittsburgh’s scenic parks.
Previous Events
Free 30-Minute Meditation + Sound Bath
SATURDAY, JULY 22 AND SATURDAY, AUGUST 19 AT 11:00AM at Allegheny Commons West, near Brighton & Ridge and across from Gus & Yiayia’s.
We are excited to bring you a Free 30-minute Meditation + Sound Bath on Saturday, July 22 AND Saturday, August 19 at 11am in Allegheny Commons West. The session will start immediately following Yoga in the Park.
Join Amanda of ALLORA Health and Wellness in a realm of deep relaxation and healing among nature. This sound mediation will encourage a deeper understanding of both the inner and outer worlds. With the soothing melodies and resonant vibrations of Himalayan Quartz Crystal Bowls, discover sanctuary in the present moment where time fades and boundaries dissolve leaving you refreshed and connected.
You can find ALLORA Health and Wellness hosting community events and intimate wellness offerings throughout the city. With Movement, Meditation, and Sound at the core of the ALLORA mission, they are excited to apply these grounding and expansive modalities to birth work to better support mother’s and pregnant people on their journey into parenthood.
FREE Sound Healing Class
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 AT 11:00AM at Allegheny Commons West, near Brighton & Ridge and across from Gus & Yiayia’s.
This class will use sound, music and percussion played in therapeutic ways. The sounds permeate our system returning it back to harmony. Sound therapy combined with mindfulness can improve your health and wellbeing.
The benefits of sound have been tested through research and have been found to be significant in producing a number of optimal mental health outcomes, including the following: lowering stress, decreasing mood swings, lowering blood pressure (Boso et al: Neurophysiology and neurobiology of the musical Experience, Functional Neurology 2006; 21(4): 187-191).
Sound producing activity also optimizes well-being through inducing relaxation and enhancing theta-wave production and brain-wave synchronization. It produces pleasurable experiences, enhanced awareness of preconscious dynamics, release of emotional trauma, and reintegration of self. In social situations, it alleviates self-centeredness, isolation, and alienation, creating a sense of connectedness with self and others (Winkleman, 2009).
Sound Healing Using Handheld Percussive Instruments
About the Sound Healing Instructor
Ron Schulz is a Licensed Professional Counselor with Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Ron uses a Mindfulness-based approach to explore issues related to anxiety and depression, stress and trauma, loss, and grief.
Ron is also a retired former professional musician (BA in Music from Duquesne University, and Master’s Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy from the University of Minnesota) with 35-year full-time experience as a teacher, music therapy group facilitator, and performer, and throughout his career has used a variety of medium for integrating concepts in the fields of mental health and music such as Drum and Percussion Circles locally, in addition to producing and facilitating Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Groups and “Discover Your Singing Voice” groups in community mental health agencies in the Pittsburgh area.
Free 30-Minute Meditation + Sound Bath
SATURDAY, JULY 30 AT 11:00AM at Allegheny Commons West, near Brighton & Ridge and across from Gus & Yiayia’s.
We are excited to bring you a Free 30-minute Meditation + Sound Bath on Saturday, July 30 at 11am in Allegheny Commons West. The session will start immediately following Yoga in the Park.
We will begin with intention setting and planting seeds for the upcoming lunar cycle. Whether that is releasing a limiting belief, pattern, thought process (anything that is not in your best interest) OR manifesting and celebrating the good, the positive intention will sit with us for the entirety of the session in order to move past or set in motion.
After we set our intention, we will be guided through a body awareness yoga nidra and chakra alignment meditation. This will help release any emotional, energetic, and/or physical blockages that are being held in the body. During this meditation, the space will be flooded with the sacred sounds of 7 himalayan quartz crystal bowls, amplifying all of the benefits of this session and allowing the mind, body and soul to surrender and relax fully in the present moment.
About the Teacher
This Free Meditation + Sound Bath will be guided by Amanda Miller (300RYT) of ALLORA Health and Wellness. With a personal yoga practice of over a decade, the pandemic became a catalyst for Amanda to open and embrace her purpose of sharing the healing modalities that have been instrumental on her own healing journey: yoga, meditation and sound healing. By turning untraditional spaces into community, Amanda travels throughout the city hosting and participating in collaborative community events, pop-ups, and regularly scheduled classes all with the goal of providing accessible tools to reduce stress and overwhelm for as many people as possible.
With yoga, meditation and sound healing being the pillars of her method, her style of teaching is based in physiology all while embracing all things woo for a truly holistic approach to healing. When Amanda isn’t practicing or teaching, you can find her with her head in the clouds, her hands in the dirt, and/or her two cats in her lap. Join her ALLORA (virtual) Community and stay in the loop on future events and classes near you.
FREE Sound Healing Class
SATURDAY, JUNE 18 AT 11:00AM at Allegheny Commons West, near Brighton & Ridge and across from Gus & Yiayia’s.
We are pleased to offer the community a bonus Sound Healing class on 6/18 at 11:00am, immediately following Yoga in the Park. This class will use sound, music and percussion played in therapeutic ways. The sounds permeate our system returning it back to harmony. Sound therapy combined with mindfulness can improve your health and wellbeing.
The benefits of sound have been tested through research and have been found to be significant in producing a number of optimal mental health outcomes, including the following: lowering stress, decreasing mood swings, lowering blood pressure (Boso et al: Neurophysiology and neurobiology of the musical Experience, Functional Neurology 2006; 21(4): 187-191).
Sound producing activity also optimizes well-being through inducing relaxation and enhancing theta-wave production and brain-wave synchronization. It produces pleasurable experiences, enhanced awareness of preconscious dynamics, release of emotional trauma, and reintegration of self. In social situations, it alleviates self-centeredness, isolation, and alienation, creating a sense of connectedness with self and others (Winkleman, 2009).
Sound Healing Using Handheld Percussive Instruments
About the Sound Healing Instructor
Ron Schulz is a Licensed Professional Counselor with Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Ron uses a Mindfulness-based approach to explore issues related to anxiety and depression, stress and trauma, loss, and grief.
Ron is also a retired former professional musician (BA in Music from Duquesne University, and Master’s Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy from the University of Minnesota) with 35-year full-time experience as a teacher, music therapy group facilitator, and performer, and throughout his career has used a variety of medium for integrating concepts in the fields of mental health and music such as Drum and Percussion Circles locally, in addition to producing and facilitating Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Groups and “Discover Your Singing Voice” groups in community mental health agencies in the Pittsburgh area.
Nature Therapy Group: An Immersive Outdoor Group Therapy Experience
The Nature Therapy Group begins Tuesday May 31 at 6:00 PM and will reoccur every Tuesday at 6:00 PM for 6 weeks. The final class is Tuesday, July 5. It will be held at Peters Lake Park in Canonsburg.
This workshop will help you to: feel more connected with nature and with yourself; discover new coping skills to help with depression and anxiety; implement a self care routine; and learn new ways to calm the busy mind.
Nature Therapy Group Outline
Week 1: Calming the busy mind
Week 2: Positive impacts of nature for depression
Week 3: Managing anxiety through nature
Week 4: Healing from trauma
Week 5: Implementing self care/ breathwork
Week 6: Balancing work/ life stressors
*each week there will be a small mindfulness activity
About the Instructor
Brittany Raffle, LPC will be leading the workshop. Brittany believes that art, music, and nature can be the greatest healers, which is why she uses these aspects in therapy to help others be open to discovering parts of themselves through these untraditional practices. Brittany believes that each client has the ability to be their best self and that everyone’s journey with life looks different. She views therapy as a guide for getting through life’s challenges and as a place to grow in order to use skills in daily life, even after therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where is the Nature Therapy Group held?
A. The nature therapy group will be held at Peters Lake Park in Canonsburg. 560 Center Church Rd, Canonsburg, PA 15317
Q. When is the Nature Therapy Group?
A. The nature therapy group will start at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, May 31 and will reoccur every Tuesday for 6 weeks. The final class is Tuesday, June 5 at 6:00 PM.
Q. Who is leading the workshop?
A. Brittany Raffle, LPC will be leading the workshop. Brittany believes that art, music, and nature can be the greatest healers, which is why she uses these aspects in therapy to help others be open to discovering parts of themselves through these untraditional practices. Brittany believes that each client has the ability to be their best self and that everyone’s journey with life looks different. She views therapy as a guide for getting through life’s challenges and as a place to grow in order to use skills in daily life, even after therapy.
Q. Can anyone join the workshop?
A. Yes, the workshop is open to anyone. Please call us at 412-322-2129 to register.
Q. How many participants will be in the workshop?
A. The workshop is limited to 6 participants.
Q. Do I need to attend every class?
A. No, participants do not need to attend every week and can drop in on topics of interest. However, please book ahead of time to secure your spot.
Q. Do you take insurance?
A. Yes, we accept UPMC, Highmark, Aetna, United, Cigna, and Magellan Health.
Q. What is the self pay rate?
A. $45 per class.
Q. How do I register?
A. Call us at 412-322-2129 and our admin staff will get your registered.
This Unique 90-Minute Virtual Workshop Will Explore Herbs as Gateways to More Presence and Enjoyment of Sensuality & Sexuality—Aphrodisiac Tea Blend Included
It’s Valentine’s Day, the time of year when romance and affection become central to our hearts and minds. What better way for you and your loved one to mutually celebrate your bond than with warm and flushed cheeks, rapidly beating heart, and maybe even a dose of perspiration.
Aphrodisiacs promise to invoke all of these responses and have long been revered for their power to increase desire and libido. The term seems to have come from ancient Greece and their Goddess “Aphrodite” the goddess of love.
The fascination with desire-invoking herbs, serums and tinctures did not end with the Greeks—time seems to have inflamed our human impulse to create that symposium of flavors which will invoke our less easily satiable appetites.
Workshop Agenda
Brief outline of the 90-minute workshop:
- Introduction + opening meditation to ground into the body and tune into sensation
- Herbs as gateways to more presence and enjoyment of sensuality and sexuality – this looks different for each person, since we all have unique bodies and experiences – there’s no “one size fits all”
- Exploration of why one might experience a low libido or disinterest in intimacy (stress, mental health struggles, medications, exhaustion, ptsd, physical illness, relationship issues, etc.)
- Guest speaker Stephanie Wijkstrom, sex therapist and certified integrative mental health counselor (CIMHC), joins to discuss common barriers to sexual arousal and overcoming them using non-pharmacological interventions such as touch, sound, creating an erotically charged sexual setting, and anchoring these behaviors in the hotbed of a loving relationship. She will also share the phases of arousal and differences in the biological sexual response cycle of different bodies.
- Discuss different types of herbal aphrodisiacs: nutritive tonics, aromatics, stimulating herbs, relaxants, vitality herbs, heart healers – understanding which herbs are right for you
- Learn about an Aphrodisiac tea blend participants will get for attending, plus other DIY recipes
- Q&A
About the Instructor
Annie Fox Derek (She/Her/They/Them) is a clinical herbalist in Pittsburgh, as well as an animist, and a folk healer. They have over 10 years of experience studying plants, first completing a Bachelors of Science degree in Plant Biology which was then followed by 4 years of study in clinical herbalism with Ola Obasi at the Well of Indigenous Wisdom School.
Since then, they have trained with herbalists and folk healers from around the world, and devoted countless hours of independent study to learning the local edible and medicinal flora of Western Pennsylvania. They also helped to start the Three Rivers Free Clinic for the People and have taught about herbal medicine and foraging to hundreds of people throughout Pittsburgh and beyond.
About the Guest Speaker
Stephanie Wijkstrom, MS, LPC is a licensed counselor and certified integrative mental health counselor (CIMHC) who for the last decade, has specialized in providing marriage counseling and sex therapy that aids couples in recovery from complex and common relationship issues. As the Founder of Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh, she has worked with countless couples in various phases of distress by using targeted interventions which blend together mindfulness-based strategies with behavioral psychology and communication techniques.
Mindful Movement Fall Series
We are pleased to offer a FREE virtual Mindful Movement series with BaM Choreography. This Mindful Movement class focuses on easy movements to help combat stress and repair the virtual slump of sitting in a chair all day.
- No experience necessary.
- All ages welcome.
- You can join any class.
What is Mindful Movement
Mindful Movement harnesses the power of movement for mental and physical health. Students move in gentle patterns to slow and uplifting music. Through verbal and visual instruction, students become aware of their bodies, engage in low impact stretching, and feel rejuvenated. A perfect break for busy professionals, away from their desk and stress!
BaM Choreography, a sister-owned company based out of Pittsburgh, provides dance and fitness classes for all ages and experience levels. Over the last 10 years, BaM has partnered with a wide variety of studios, gyms, non-profits, schools, and businesses to bring movement to all ages and groups. Meghan Greenwood, a co-owner of BaM, holds a PhD in Immunology from the University of Pittsburgh and is an advocate of balancing the mind and body. She works as a medical writer for a large contract research organization and in the evenings, works with both adults and kids to combat stress through dance and fitness.
Event Dates
Wednesday, 9/15 at 12:00pm Eastern
Join here
Wednesday, 10/13 at 12:00pm Eastern
Join here
Wednesday, 11/17 at 12:00pm Eastern
Join here
Wednesday, 12/15 at 12:00pm Eastern
Join here
YOGA IN THE PARK
When: 10 am Saturdays From May 29th – Aug 28
Where: Allegheny Commons West, Near Brighton and Ridge
Cost: free
Come and flow with Pittsburgh’s best yoga instructors in this free all levels yoga event. Bring your kids and enjoy the feeling of practicing yoga beneath the trees in this city park! Sounds sessions and food trucks for some classes.
Tickets/Sign Up:
PLANT WALK WEEKLY IN THE PARK
When: 1 pm Fridays From May 29 – Sep 3
Where: Allegheny Commons Park–Meet at the Fountain
Cost: free
Meet at the Fountain in Allegheny Commons Park and enjoy a plant walk through the city scape, be surprised by the edible and useable plants that are growing in this urban oasis.
Tickets/Sign Up:
MEDITATION IN THE PARK
When: 1 pm Saturdays From June 5 – Aug 28
Where: Allegheny Commons Park–Meet at the Fountain
Cost: free
Meet at the Fountain in Allegheny Commons park and enjoy a mindfulness meditation focused on the calming sound of the fountain water. This is a meditation experience for all ages and all levels.
Tickets/Sign Up:
STUCK TOGETHER: A MEN’S GROUP
When: Beginning on March 14 @ 3 PM EST and every other week
Where: Online
Cost: $60
Navigating relationships can be difficult during the quarantines and lockdowns. Managing personal space and shared time has caused a dramatic increase in relational conflict. This group is designed for men to explore, process, and share their experiences of being locked in with their families and romantic partners, so that they can manage stress, strain, and conflict, and have the loving relationships they want.
Tickets/Sign Up:
The cost for this group is $60. Call 412-322-2129 to sign up and check insurance coverage. This is an open group so you can enroll any time.
FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT
When: Beginning on March 9 @ 5 PM EST and every other week
Where: Online
Cost: $60
Join our psychotherapy group to help manage your actions and beliefs around money and finances. We address financial challenges as well as psychological, emotional, behavioral, and relationship hurdles to help you identify your financial personality and manage your financial life.
Tickets/Sign Up:
The cost for this group is $60. Call 412-322-2129 to sign up and check insurance coverage. This is an open group so you can enroll any time.
THE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE GROUP
When: Weekly 7 pm – 8 pm (see schedule below)
Where: Online
Cost: $40.00 per group session with a total of 8 group sessions, for self paying rate inquire at 412-856-WELL to have your insurance verified and see if you qualify for no-copay or deductible coverage for this group!
Length: 2-month program
Meeting Dates & Agenda
1. 1/11/21 -Health and Wellness- Mind, Body, Spirit Approach
2. 1/18/21 – Psychology of Wellbeing- Identifying Your Own Core Beliefs
3. 1/25/21 – Overcoming Limiting Beliefs- Achieving Your Wellness Goals
4. 2/01/21 -Mind – Body Relationship
5. 2/08/21 – Intentional Movement Routine- Our Mental Health Experts will help you to establish a routine that is in sync with your lifestyle goals
6. 2/08/21 – Healthy Food Choices- From meal prepping to eating for your wellbeing, look at foods that nourish mind and body
7. 2/15/21 -Meditation and Nature for Wellbeing
8. 2/22/21 – Achieving your manageable lifestyle goals
*All classes will be held from 7 pm – 8 pm
This is a wellness group to motivate you to be your best self, led by our mental health professionals.
A Healthy Lifestyle Group to motivate you toward your best self led by our mental health experts!
WARRIOR THERAPY
When: November 1st — 3 pm runs every other Sunday after
Where: Online
Cost: $60.00 per group. Inquire at 412-856-WELL to have your insurance verified and see if you qualify for no-copay or deductible coverage for this group!
Online Therapy Group For Anxiety Depression