RUGGED RESILIENCE WORKSHOP
Learning to Respond, Not React to Adversity
Saturday August 23, 2025
10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Join me and my dear friend Ellen Smith, MD, for an interactive session on how to become more adaptable in challenging times and to cultivate some “rugged” resilience by becoming aware of our automatic responses to stress. This session is sponsored by the Capitol Region League of Women Voters.
We’ll discuss how our body and mind’s experience and history of stress influences our choices and reactions in a loop of fight, flight, freeze. We’ll explore how regulating our nervous system and practicing self-compassion enable us to act with more choice and intention, rather than unconsciously reacting from anger, fear or shut down.
By understanding our nervous system and brain better, we’re better able to create our own personal resilience plan, not just to manage stress in the future, but also to live more fulfilling lives.
A little about us:
Ellen Smith, MD, retired after 30 years of teaching and practicing Family Medicine in the Harrisburg area. She has been a featured speaker and trainer on adversity, trauma and resilience for a variety of professional, state, and community organizations. Ellen is also the creator of the Personal Resilience Planner©, a practical tool to observe our strengths, responses, and resilience, and to grow over time.
Rebecca Thoroughgood, L.Om. has maintained a private acupuncture clinic for over 22 years. She is also a certified health and wellness coach with a focus on how the nervous system impacts our health, and ability to thrive in life. She has completed trauma informed and polyvagal informed coaching certificates.
Details: This session is free and open to anyone interested in creating more resilience.
East Shore County Library, 4501 Ethel St, Harrisburg, 17109
Light refreshments will be available.
RSVP by August 8:
https://forms.gle/7F9e4BNdpinwunJZ9
For More Information: Michele Emerson at 717-913-1099
photo: resilience in block art by Alex Shute on Unsplash
Also check out other Health & Wellness events in Rutherford, Workshops in Rutherford, Arts events in Rutherford.
