International Meaning Conference JUly, 2016, Toronto. Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Cancer Patients Experiential Workshop William Breitbart, M.D., Chairman Jimmie C Holland, Chair in Psychiatric Oncology Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center New York, New York, USA www.MSKCC.org

Experiential Workshop Part I: Meaning & Identity Session #1: Sources of Meaning Group Experiential Exercise (30 mins) Session #2: Identity & Cancer Part II: Attitude & Responsibility Session #5: Attitudinal Sources of Meaning Session #6: Creative Sources of Meaning

Meaning-Centered Group Psychotherapy Session Topics & Themes Session #1: Concepts & Sources of Meaning Introductions to Intervention & Meaning Session #2: Cancer & Meaning Identity – Before & After Cancer Diagnosis Session #3: Historical Sources of Meaning Life as a Living Legacy (past-present-future) Session #4: Historical Sources of Meaning Session #5: Attitudinal Sources of Meaning Encountering Life’s Limitations Session #6: Creative Sources of Meaning Actively Engaging in Life (via: creativity & responsibility) Session #7: Experiential Sources of Meaning Connecting with Life (via: love, beauty & humor) Session #8: Transitions Reflections & hopes for future

Sources of Meaning: EACH Experiential Sources – ‘Connecting with Life’ via: relationships, beauty, nature, humor Attitudinal Sources – ‘Encountering Life’s’ Limitations” turning personal tragedy into triumph via: the attitude taken toward given circumstances (e.g. physical suffering, personal adversity, one’s mortality) Creative Sources – ‘Actively Engaging in Life’ via: roles, work, deeds, accomplishments re: courage, commitment & responsibility Historical Sources – ‘Life as a Living Legacy’ legacy that’s been given (past) legacy one lives (present) legacy one will give (future)

Session #1 Concepts and Sources of Meaning: Experiential Exercises Meaningful Moments List one or two experiences or moments when life has felt particularly meaningful to you- whether it sounds powerful or mundane. For example, it could be something that helped you through a difficult day, or a time when you felt most alive.

Session # 2 Cancer and Meaning: Experiential Exercises Write down 4 answers to the question, “Who am I?” These can be positive or negative, and include personality characteristics, body image, beliefs, things you do, people you know, etc….For example, answers might start with, “I am someone who___,” or “I am a __ .” How has cancer affected your answers?

Session # 5 Attitudinal Sources of Meaning: Encountering Life’s Limitations Are you still able to find meaning in your daily life despite the finiteness of life? Since your diagnosis, have you felt a sense of a loss of meaning in life? That life is not worth living? What are your thoughts about what is a “good” or “meaningful” death. How would you like to be remembered?

Session # 6 Creative Sources of Meaning: Experiential Exercise Actively Engaging with Life Through Creativity & Responsibility Who are you responsible to and for? What is your unfinished business? What tasks have you always wanted to do, but have yet to undertake?