Practical Empathy: Tools for Empaths and Highly Sensitive People (HSP)

How to Use Your Gift (without losing your s**t) 

Empaths and Highly Sensitive People, this is for you.

Learn functional tools for managing your sublime sensitivity.

Practical Empathy is functional woo for empaths and other folks whose emotional bodies seem as absorbent as a paper towel.

You don't have to live alone, be a hermit, never go to parties, and wrap yourself in cotton wool. You do not have to live in a perpetual state of defense. You can enjoy, celebrate, and utilize your sublime sensitivity in a way that is healthy. Delightful. Juicy. Delicious.

This workshop is not about theory, it is about action.

Plan to leave you with your feet firmly on the ground and with a few immediately actionable tools for managing your beautiful, ultra-absorbent, spongey emotional body.

“This workshop exists because as an artist and creative coach, I am up to my armpits in empaths (and I love it). I don't think it's an accident that the creative life and the empathic individual are a natural by-occurrence of each other. And you may have noticed, there is very little support or tools available for navigating this that won't make your eyes roll out of your head to read, or try to paint you as a victim,” says creator Rachel Strickland.

What you’ll learn:

• What is hyper-empathy and do you have it (spoiler alert, you do)
• How to tell the difference between what is yours and what you are absorbing from other people
• How to clear your emotional field of other people's residual energy immediately
• Powerful shortcuts to centering in case you don't have 5 years to meditate every day
• Ways to strengthen your boundaries so you can live your life without moving into a cave in the Himalayas
• How to use your empathy purposefully and powerfully in mutually beneficial connection with others

Facilitator bio:

A Carolina native, Rachel Strickland is an interdisciplinary performance artist, aerialist, storyteller, and award winning choreographer.  Her work combines circus arts, dance, and elements of the bizarre to create original, socially relevant performative works. To unearth aspects of the self which are buried, suppressed, and mutilated by the sanction of outside influences is both her subject matter and the intended effect on the viewer. 

 Classically trained in ballet since the age of three, she minored in dance at the University of North Carolina at Asheville and began her study of circus arts in 2007, developing a unique style and innovative approach to aerial hoop.  Her work brought her international recognition, and she has coached, performed, and choreographed on four continents.

 In addition to her genre defying performance work, Rachel is a professional development coach to artists and creative entrepreneurs.  Her students have branded her “the patron saint of ambitious creatives”, a “creative midwife”, and affectionately, “mother of monsters.”  As a creative mentor and speaker, Rachel is passionate about empowering artists to pursue their bravest and most authentic work.

She’s been featured in Authority Magazine and Thrive Global, and presented her stories and pedagogy on stages worldwide.  Her work has been recognized by the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Busker’s Festival, RAW Performing Artist of the year in Seattle, WA, and “Best Bet” at the New Orleans Fringe Festival.

She lives in Hollywood, SC with her husband, Shaun.  They have no children so don’t ask, but they would like to meet your dog.

The Evolve Academy of Conscious Learning is located inside The Schoolhouse at 720 Magnolia Road, Suite 21, Charleston, SC 29407.

Please park on the Magnolia Road side of The Schoolhouse building and enter through the double doors labeled “Events.” Once inside, turn left and you’ll find Evolve Academy in Suite 21.

As a center for adult personal and professional development, many of our classes take place in the evenings and on weekends. If you happen to arrive late and find the exterior doors locked, simply knock gently on the window to the left of the doors—this is the Evolve classroom window. (Arriving a few minutes early is the smoothest way in.)

Evolve is a serene, cozy space designed with nervous-system comfort in mind. You’ll find calm lighting, soft rugs and cushions, warm herbal tea, and neutral tones—intentionally curated to help you feel safe, grounded, and cared for. All are welcome. We love all of our neurodivergent friends, all of our friends of various genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, physical challenges, and more. There is a handicap accessible ramp to enter the building. This is a safe space for you.

Many of our classes are taught with our students seated on comfy cushions on the ground. If you need or would like a chair, we are happy to accommodate you.

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Host or Publisher Evolve Academy of Conscious Learning