Retreats Designed To Bring About Lasting Change
“Years of experience have allowed me to fine tune my therapeutic skills to bring about effective changes quickly.”
Dr. Ruth FitzGerald
Founder, Arukuma.
Years of experience have allowed me to fine tune my therapeutic skills to bring about effective changes quickly. The problems I have dealt with over the years are anxiety, relationships, stress, depression, family issues, career/life concerns, bereavement, self-esteem, imposter syndrome and self-confidence. My work has also included family and parenting issues, divorce, career changes, life meaning and purpose and spiritual growth.
As a psychologist, I have the rare opportunity to really see inside peoples’ minds, to see what they are truly thinking and feeling despite the image they present to the outside world. The surprising thing is how similar we all are. We often feel like everyone else is doing just fine whilst we are struggling internally. From my experience, no one escapes! At some point in our lives we will have difficulties and challenges just as we will have happiness and joy. Two sides of the same coin!
The retreats I have developed condense years of psychological experience into intensive, interactive and engaging workshops which bring about clarity, direction, resolve and lasting change. These are not temporary, feel good retreats, the effects of which will evaporate once you get back to ‘normal’ life again. These are in-depth, evidence-based, psychological retreats which are designed to bring about effective changes quickly and allow you to improve your ability to deal with life’s challenges whilst also fully appreciating life’s joys; to make the changes you need to live the life you actually want to live.
The Story of Arukuma
The word Arukuma belongs to the Carib Indians who first arrived in the Caribbean around 800 AD, having migrated from the northwestern part of the Amazon rainforest. The Carib Indians have a rich history of storytelling and used to begin their stories “In the time when all things were possible …” so let me begin this story in the same manner.
In the time when all things were possible, the Carib Indians believed that the stars were the spirits of beloved ancestors who were watching over them and guiding them. They could seek guidance and direction from these star spirits.
Arukuma means ‘star’ in the Carib language, more particularly, it refers to the Morning Star.
Across cultures and time, the Morning Star has symbolized hope, guidance and new beginnings.
Stars help us navigate our way through the dark nights and guide us.
Arukuma was created with the intention of doing exactly that … to help individuals navigate their way through their lives and to guide them to where they truly want to be.
This will be different for everyone. It might be a total change in life direction, a different perspective on ourselves and our lives, a new career goal, a change in a relationship, a healthier mind and body, a move towards a more spiritual existence, or simply some time needed to reflect upon the bigger life questions … it is whatever new beginning you need at this point in your life.
The existential philosopher, Kierkegaard, wrote of how we are always in the process of ‘becoming.’ Life by its very nature is change, growth and evolution. Who we are now is not who we were in the past and is different to who we will be in the future. We are always in the process of becoming the next evolution of ourselves.
The power of Arukuma comes from us coming together to share our experiences and our life stories. To explore, at a deeper, psychological level, the path that has brought us to where we are now in our lives and the capacity within us to consciously create the future we truly want.
So that meaningful and lasting change can occur, Arukuma is founded on evidence based psychological research, encompassing a range of powerful techniques and approaches and draws on both my therapeutic work, over decades with individuals, couples and groups and significant life experience.
Wherever we meet, I look forward to welcoming you to Arukuma and to sharing this retreat experience with you.
Dr. Ruth FitzGerald
Founder, Arukuma
