Creating Space
A Restorative Coaching Program for Overworked Healthcare Humans.
Fellow healthcare human,
How often do you feel over capacity?
Whether it’s forgetting the last time you ate or used the bathroom…
… or getting irritable and angry at everyone you talk to …
… or feeling completely disconnected from why you ever went into healthcare to begin with.
You’re not alone, and there’s nothing wrong with you.
Being chronically over capacity is encouraged and rewarded our current disembodied world.
Our system is not designed to protect and support our individual human need for space, rest, and pleasure in and outside of our work.
We have been deeply socialized to work according to external demand instead of our personal internal capacity.
This has come at a great cost to us, as well as our patients.
When we are chronically over capacity, we get burned out.
We start making more mistakes.
Our empathy and compassion drain, as we don’t have space to care and connect.
We start to hate medicine, and we end up leaving - either in spirit through cynicism or in body by literally leaving the profession.
Something has to change - and if we wait for the system to do so, we’ll burn out in the meantime.
What if you are the change you’ve been waiting for?
What if you can get the support you need to create your own space in your life for your humanity?
Imagine…
a clinical workflow that honours your body’s natural pace
a schedule with protected space for rest and pleasure
a life with room to express your full authentic humanity
I have helped clinicians from across the healthcare system create space for their humanity, and I would love to help you too.
Bronwen, Registered Midwife
“At the last session of the Creating Space program, Joan asked us what has changed for us since beginning the program and I was stumped because... Honestly everything.
I have a richer presence, more integrity, more pleasure and less overwhelm at work, at home and with myself.
I loved developing relationships with other people working in healthcare, hearing their victories and struggles and hearing them be gently guided to find their own solutions was so powerful.”
Introducing:
Creating Space
A Restorative Coaching Experience for Overworked Healthcare Humans.
It’s one thing to know you want more space in your life for your humanity, and it’s another to actually implement the changes needed to get that space for yourself.
Our socialization runs deep - there’s a reason we are all overworking to begin with!
When you join Creating Space, you will be embarking on a 7 month journey with an intimate group of fellow healthcare humans.
Over the course of the 7 months, you will learn the tools you need to reclaim your humanity, receive both group and individual support to navigate obstacles that come up along the way, and celebrate your efforts with a luxurious in-person spa retreat at the end!
Group Zoom Learning on Mondays 1:00-3:00pm EST
1 workshop intensive per month
2 group coaching & connection calls per month
3 one-on-one coaching sessions with Joan to be used at anytime throughout the year
Slack group community for mutual asynchronous text & voice memo support
Celebratory in person retreat in April
What you need to know
Connect in Creating Space Online
Learning that is actually fun AND transformative
This program isn’t just about ideas – it’s about practicing transformation in real time, together.
Each week, you'll meet with a small group of peers who understand the unique challenges of working in healthcare. This space fosters a sense of belonging that so many of us are missing. It's a relief to be with others who "get it" – who see you not just as a clinician, but as a full human being.
The monthly workshops are practical, playful, and engaging – designed to help you learn through doing, reflecting, and experimenting.
On the group coaching calls, you'll receive real-time support for your real-life struggles – whether that's navigating a tricky colleague dynamic, setting boundaries with your schedule, or reimagining what’s possible for your life.
In between sessions, we continue to build community through a private online space in Slack. Anytime during the week you can share your triumphs for us to celebrate and your struggles for both peer validation and Joan’s ongoing coaching support.
You don't have to do this alone. Together, we create space.
Curriculum
Each month, we dive into a specific theme that helps you reclaim your time, energy, and humanity:
October – Capacity Awareness: Get clear on your current patterns and capacity. Start to notice where and how you're overextending.
November – Embracing Mediocrity: Learn to release perfectionism and let 'good enough' be enough.
December – Hitting Pause: Explore the power of deciding what to let go in order to create space for what matters most.
January – Protecting What Matters: Clarify your values and set boundaries to uphold them.
February – Trusting the Team: Learn the skill of delegation by letting go of control and embracing shared responsibility and interdependence.
March – What’s Possible: Begin to vision, design, and take action on what’s next for you personally, as well as reflecting on your impact on the system as a whole.
Experience the Creating Space Retreat
This is more than a retreat – it is an embodied celebration of everything you’ve created on our 7 month journey together.
Held in the rustic luxury of the Millcroft Inn & Spa in Caledon, Ontario, this 4 day / 3 night experience invites you to sink into comfort and connection.
Picture this:
Sleeping in plush, peaceful rooms surrounded by the beauty of nature
Eating gourmet, chef-crafted meals designed to nourish body and soul
Soaking in mineral spa waters that melt away stress and tension
Laughing and commiserating with fellow healthcare humans who get it
Walking wooded trails, breathing fresh air, reconnecting with yourself
You’ll spend these days celebrating your transformation, imagining what’s next, and being deeply supported through workshops, reflection time, and play.
Included: Accommodation, meals, workshops, access to spa waters
Not included: Travel to/from retreat site, additional spa services/trips
Bonus: Register by the Co-Creator deadline (July 31) to have your April availability prioritized
“I remember you asking me what my ideal work day or work week would look like, and I had a moment of "what??!". For a moment (maybe a few moments) my brain couldn't quite get around the concept of choice, or intentional design for my professional life.
There were so many unconscious hurdles and deeply ingrained beliefs around what would be 'acceptable' hours and workload. Once I got beyond the 'should's' and the 'but what if's', a whole world of possibilities opened up.
The outcome has been way better than I could have imagined. Based on my untethered view of what happy and manageable work could be, I created a new job for myself which honours my current abilities and limitations. And even if my functional work capacity improves in time, I will unlikely be changing what I do. Or how much I do. This is enough. I am enough.”
Sam - Canadian physician
Creating Space Complete
Enrollment fee $7000 CAD
or $1000 per month x 7 months
Creating Space Online only
$4500 CAD or $750 per month x 6 months
Creating Space Retreat only
$2500 CAD or $500 per month x 5 months
Space is limited in both the online and retreat portions of the program - priority will be given Creating Space Complete registrants
Fee Includes:
6 months of
immersive workshops
group connection and coaching sessions
asynchronous group and 1:1 Slack support
3 x 45 min 1:1 coaching sessions with Joan
3 night celebratory spa retreat
BONUS: Access to Joan’s two self-study courses & growing workshop library
BONUS: Ongoing quarterly alumni zoom sessions after the program ends
Book a call with Joan
We’ll spend 30 minutes making sure this program is a good fit for your goals and answer all your questions before you take the next exciting step to creating space for YOU.
How Coaching with Joan Helps Real Healthcare Humans
CL, Family Physician
“What has changed since working with Joan: Everything! I'm not charting at night or on weekends anymore. I am feeling way more confident at work, almost no imposter feelings. I am managing my anxiety way better.
I am able to laugh at work and am feeling hopeful that I can stay in medicine. I am enjoying having hobbies and feel like a human with a life again.”
MF, Family Physician
“You helped me feel empowered in my journey and more true to myself. I can’t fully put words to how magical this really is. But I’m so appreciative of your listening to me and your brilliance to guide me to help myself.”
Family Medicine Resident
“Thank you again for your support over the past few months. When we first met, it was definitely a stressful and heavy time with lots of imposter syndrome. I think that working on those cognitive pieces helped to distance myself a bit from that performance mindset and regain my confidence – which in turn translated to better communication!
I also appreciated the detailed summaries that you sent after our sessions. Will definitely be archiving them so that I can review when needed.”
If You’re On the Fence…
(Q&A with Joan)
“I’m already drowning in work- I’m worried I won’t have the time to commit to this program.”
That’s exactly why this program exists. It’s not about adding more to your plate – it’s about creating space to notice what’s already on it, and making intentional shifts. The sessions are designed to be nourishing, not draining. Past participants have shared that the time they spend here actually frees up energy and clarity for the rest of their lives.
If you are drowning, the time you spend in this program is the best investment you can make. This program offers the space and tools you need to not only get your head above water, but actually learn to thrive while working in healthcare.
“I’m worried about spending this much money on myself.”
Your brain and body are your most valuable clinical tools.
Instead of paying for more knowledge - at conferences, reference subscriptions, medical journals & podcasts - what if you paid to support the caretaker of all the knowledge and experience you already have?
When you invest in creating a sustainable and enjoyable experience of work now, how could that return on investment flow back to you - in job satisfaction, in time spent pursuing passions outside of work, in space to consider other avenues of income creation if you desire!
The money I’ve spent on coaching myself pales in comparison with what I’ve spent on my medical training, medical equipment and overhead - and the time I’ve spent developing trust in myself and my brain has been the thing that actually made my medical career sustainable and satisfying. This investment can do the same for you.
“I’m worried it will be too hard. I’ve never been good at talking about my thoughts and feelings, especially in a group setting”
That’s normal – and valid. This is a space that honours boundaries and consent. You’ll never be pressured to share anything you’re not ready to. Most participants are surprised by how quickly they feel safe and connected. Vulnerability here is met with care, not judgment.
Our social conditioning keeps us afraid of getting too vulnerable and self-reflective. I have designed this program to build safety and connection amongst the group so that sharing and receiving support feels possible for everyone. You will also have avenues to connect with me individually if there are issues you’re not ready to share more widely.
“Is this only for physicians?”
Nope! This program is for all healthcare humans – nurses, therapists, midwives, social workers, pharmacists, administrators, and anyone else working in this system. If you feel overworked and under-supported, you belong here.
“Do I have to attend every session live?”
Live attendance is recommended to get the most out of the group experience, but we know life happens. All workshops and group coaching sessions are recorded and posted in our shared space so you can catch up if you miss one.