Join us for our Fall 2025 Cohort
You became a healthcare worker to help others. You trained hard, sacrificed, and devoted yourself to caring for people. You may even be in a caregiver role at home, too. But somewhere along the way, the system demanded so much that you lost touch with your own creativity, imagination, and sense of self.
Didn’t you used to have…hobbies?
“The healthcare system prioritizes efficiency and productivity, leaving little room for self-expression, much less creative exploration.”
Healthcare workers deserve to feel whole—not just as professionals, but as creative, imaginative humans.
We’ve been there. We know what it’s like to edit out your own dimensions for the sake of your career. At Introspective Spaces, we believe that healing our creativity as healthcare workers can help heal our moral distress and reclaim our agency.
That’s why we offer The Artist’s Way for Healthcare Workers—a 12-week community journey to rediscover creativity, reflection, and play.
The Artist’s Way for Healthcare Workers is more than a book club - we're reimagining creativity and community in healthcare. Join us as we build communities of care for healthcare across the country.
Cohorts offered in Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento, Bay Area Peninsula, San Francisco, Austin, East Coast, and Virtually this Fall 2025.
4 CEs available. No creative experience required!
“Success occurs in clusters”
-The Artist’s Way
Our dream is to foster communities of cares across healthcare disciplines where folks are at. It can be hard to build vulnerable and authentic connections in our place of work due to the need to maintain professionalism.
We seek to create communities of care where healthcare workers can lean on one another, share difficult scenarios, and receive support from those who understand outside of our healthcare institutions.
Free Information Session
RN & CoFounder
Laura Holford
Anu Gorukanti
MD & CoFounder
August 6 | 12PM PST
Who is this for?
This program is open to all healthcare workers and mental health professionals who engage directly or indirectly with our health system and are looking to build community. This fall, we will also be piloting an affinity group for pregnant and postpartum healthcare workers!
“For the helpers and caregivers out there who draw from the bottom of their wells day in and day out, I hope you may consider filling your own cup by joining this community journey. When we tend to our creative selves, we can come back to life. It has been an honor and privilege to journey alongside others who understand on a level hard to find anywhere else”
-Lyndsey, RN (Fall 2024 Artist’s Way Participant)
If you're a healthcare worker who feels like your creativity has gone quiet—or like a part of yourself got left behind during training—you’re not alone.
Many of us learned to set aside our inner artist, dreamer, or child in the name of efficiency, professionalism, and care for others. Over time, this can leave us feeling disconnected, depleted, and unsure how to find our way back to the meaning and inspiration that brought us to our healthcare role.
The Artist’s Way for Healthcare Workers is for anyone ready to reconnect with their own humanity—through reflection, curiosity, and creative play.
This 12-week experience gently guides you through a series of exercises, prompts, and insights designed to help you unlearn limiting beliefs about creativity, reclaim your voice, and reawaken your imagination.
Drawing from the Artist’s Way as well as aligned books including Emergent Strategy and Art of Gathering, this program is designed with the unique experiences of healthcare workers in mind.
In a system that too often rewards output over introspection, this is an intentional pause—a chance to listen inward and rediscover what makes you you.
What if humanizing healthcare starts with humanizing one another?
We believe healing our creativity is a pathway to healing moral distress and reclaiming agency in our work and lives. And we’ve seen it firsthand: our Spring 2025 group included 70 healthcare professionals from across the country and specialties. The transformation was powerful, and the shared journey was deeply moving.
This offering is open to individuals, but we’re also inviting clinics, departments, and workplaces to form group cohorts (at a discounted rate). If you think even two or three colleagues might be interested, reach out so we can start organizing!
Curious what it’s like? Read about my experience as a nurse and doing the Artists Way here
This is an invitation to:
Reconnect with your creativity.
Reignite your sense of purpose.
Reclaim a part of yourself that too often gets buried under the weight of caregiving and professional demands.
Walk away with a community you can lean on
The Artist’s Way for Healthcare Workers is a 12-week journey to restore your creative spirit in the company of others who get it. Whether you're a healthcare worker at the edge of burnout, a new graduate looking for community, or simply someone longing to feel more you again—this is for you. Inspired by Julia Cameron’s book the Artist’s Way, this creative journey is a chance to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and build community with other healthcare workers who understand your experience.
As part of this journey, you’ll join a small, supportive pod (3–8 people) where you’ll meet weekly for live connection, accountability, and reflection. If live meetings aren’t your thing, there’s also a fully asynchronous option with weekly check-ins via WhatsApp for optimal flexibility for healthcare workers.
Throughout the journey, you'll also receive:
A weekly Artist’s Way email digest: thoughtfully summarized reflections tailored for healthcare professionals.
Group chat support with a larger circle of healthcare workers walking the same path—share insights, celebrate wins, and know you're not alone.
Four live continuing education webinars exploring the intersection of creativity, moral distress, and healing—for those who want both personal and professional growth.
An invitation to our in-person “Celebrating Creativity in Healthcare” event in Los Angeles on December 6, 2025, including a special “Artist’s Way” pinning ceremony to mark your transformation.
This isn’t just another program…This is your invitation to step into a space where your voice matters, your story is welcome, and your creativity is medicine.
MD Participant
“During our 12 weeks together, surrounded by compassionate colleagues who share a similar vision, I've found renewal. Together, we peeled back the layers of institutional expectations, rediscovered our authentic selves, and prioritized our well-being. This is not selfish—it is necessary. By tending to our own wholeness, we become more present, more empathetic, more effective caregivers.”
Nurse Participant
“When I first became a nurse, I had this hope and vision of finding a community of healthcare workers that I could reflect with on the spiritual meaning of our shared work. I had forgotten about this dream until recently when it occurred to me that it has been realized in all of you!”
“When people ask me what I think is the single most important factor in an artist’s sustained productivity, I know I am supposed to say something like ‘solitude’, or ‘an independent income’ or ‘childcare’. All of these things are good and many people have said so, but what I think is better and more important than any of these things is what I call ‘a believing mirror’” (someone who believes in you and your creativity)”
— The Artist’s Way
How This Works
Overview
We piloted this group in Fall 2024 with a group of 45 healthcare workers across the country and specialties. It was a transformative journey and a true honor to witness. We are excited to welcome healthcare workers to our THIRD cohort of The Artist’s Way for Healthcare Workers!
Each participant has the option to join a cohort in their city (listed below) or join our virtual-only gathering open to folks anywhere in the country! Each group has a facilitator who will lead the discussion and be the point of contact for your group.
We currently have groups in: Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Franciso, Bay Area Peninsula, Austin, East Coast, and Virtual-Only. Want to start a group in your city? Reach out and let us know!
Format
The curriculum is available in two distinct formats to honor and support a range of learning styles.
Both formats include:
Weekly check-ins and creative tasks
Connection to a private WhatsApp community of healthcare workers
A weekly newsletter tailored to your lived experience with chapter summaries included (no need to read the full book!)
Optional CE credit
A celebratory in-person or virtual reception to mark your completion!
No matter which path you take, you won’t be doing this alone.
Group by geographical location
Join a group of healthcare workers in (or near) your region and move through the 12-week journey together. You'll receive weekly prompts and reflections as a group, with the option to gather in-person or virtually, depending on your cohort’s preferences. This format encourages deeper local connection and opens the door for ongoing relationships even after the program ends.
Asynchronous Group
Prefer more flexibility? You’ll complete the weekly readings and exercises on your own time and you can choose to check in via the Whatsapp group or join our “drop-in” virtual Artist’s Way group on Tuesday at noon PS when your schedule allows.
We’ll provide a simple facilitation guide to help keep the group on track. This option is perfect if your schedule is unpredictable but you still want regular community and accountability.
CEs
The Artist’s Way is pleased to offer continuing education credits through the California Board of Registered Nursing.
All participants will have access to 4 live CE webinars on topics related to moral distress and creativity as well as mutuality in healthcare
Participants who sign up for the Institutional and Sponsorship tiers have the option for 6 CE credits
We offer invoices for participants with institutional support for CEs to allow for reimbursement for this program (check to see if your institution will cover the cost!)
Pricing
We believe that reclaiming your creativity is not just a luxury…it’s a vital part of healing, resilience, and reclaiming agency as a healthcare worker.
After running two successful cohorts of The Artist’s Way for Healthcare Workers, we've refined this offering to provide even deeper support. This year’s pricing reflects two key additions:
Honorariums for facilitators, acknowledging the time and energy they contribute to nurturing group connection.
A free, joyful “Creativity in Healthcare” celebration, open to all participants—either in-person or virtually.
These changes ensure that every participant receives the guidance, structure, and community support needed to complete the journey feeling seen, celebrated, and inspired.
To foster accessibility, we offer three pricing tiers and trust participants to choose the tier that most aligns with them.
Community Pricing: This tier is for individuals who are joining the Artist’s Way and do not have access to CE or leadership funds that can offer reimbursement. This pricing is equivalent to $30/week for the 12 week program.
Institutional Pricing: This tier is for individuals who are joining the Artist’s Way with access to CE or leadership funds that can offer reimbursement. This tier includes 2 additional asynchronous CEs for a total of 6 CE credits. This pricing is equivalent to $46/week for the 12 week program.
Sponsorship Pricing: This tier is for individuals who have the financial means to sponsor a fellow healthcare worker for the Artist’s Way and includes 2 additional asynchronous CEs for a total of 6 CE credits. All additional funds go to scholarships. This pricing is equivalent to $63/week for the 12 week program.
Mutual Aid Program: For those who with financial limitations who are still interested in participating in the Artist’s Way, we have limited mutual aid scholarships available or the option to serve as a “facilitator” for an Artist’s Way cohort which offers free admission, facilitator training, and honorarium for your time. Please reach out to hello@introspectivespaces.com to learn more.
Gift Card
Looking for a gift for the healthcare worker in your life? Give them the gift of creative practice in community!
I want to bring Artist’s Way to my city
Are you interested in building community and connection in your city? We would love to help you!
Reach out if you want to build an Artist’s Way cohort where you live!
We have groups planned for:
Bay Area (SF, Oakland, Peninsula)
Los Angeles
Orange County
Austin
NY/NJ
Sacramento
Virtual Drop In (Open to folks anywhere!)
I would like to be a facilitator for a cohort
Interested in supporting your fellow healthcare workers? We are currently recruting facilitators for our cohorts!
An Artist’s Way Facilitator is a gatherer for their group. They commit to coming to each weekly session (as best they can!) and offering a container of kindness and compassion for folks to share. We support all facilitators with a facilitator training and offer an honorarium to support their time!
FAQs
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Absolutely! We can add you to an asynchronous group.
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You will be assigned to a weekly live accountability group via zoom. This will be peer-led with a provided facilitation guide. The goal here is to check in on how the reading and tasks have been going.
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You are right to understand this is a significant undertaking. However, we are working with the book to tailor it to our busy clinical environments and workloads. If you participate at 10%, you will still be greatly enriched.
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Although it can feel like you need to have an art practice, this journey together is more about reconnecting with your inner self by exploring your past, what gives you joy, and self-reflection. All of this aids in us becoming more creative.
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Religious Aspects of Artist's Way
Julia Cameron uses religious language in the artist's way to describe the spiritual nature of creativity. She encourages folks to replace the word "God" with the word universe, spirit or nature. It is designed to be open to folks who have religious and non-religious beliefs. There's been a lot written about how to ensure atheists or folks who are non-religious can engage comfortably in the Artist's way. We are happy to speak with anyone who has any concerns about this! Anu is a Buddhist and replaces the word "God" with "universe" in her engagement with the book.
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To accomodate the life of a busy healthcare worker, we created summaries of Artist’s Way chapters alongside reflections in a short weekly email. Buying (and reading) the full book is totally optional! If you are interested in reading along, we will share some places where you can purchase the book shortly! We also highly recommend checking out the library and used bookstore for a copy!
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Introspective Spaces is a Board of Registered Nursing CE Provider # 18000 . Those who sign up for the CE option will receive three webinars (recorded) exploring the topic of moral distress, creativity, and healthcare. Each webinar is 1 CE.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing CEP 18000 for 4 CE. Those who sign up for institutional pricing can access 6 CE
The objectives of the CE webinars exploring the intersection of arts and health will be posted here shortly.
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If you get too busy after you signed up, we can bump you to the next cohort for no additional fee.
You can cancel for a full refund anytime up to one week before the start of the program. After that, no refunds will be issued.
You must watch all four virtual webinars and take the CE survey to receive CE credit within two weeks of the course ending . The webinars are optional otherwise for all attendees.
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This is a great and important question! For folks who have seen our past offerings, you may notice the price of the Artist’s Way offering has increased. After running two cohorts of the Artist’s way, we have learned how important it is for groups to have dedicated facilitators and to have access to an in-person celebration at the end. The new price reflects our commitment to offering honorarium to our facilitators and ensuring the “Creativity in Healthcare” celebration is a free event for all.
"We do not exist independently. We inter-are."
—Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh
“For the helpers and caregivers out there who draw from the bottom of their wells day in and day out, I hope you may consider filling your own cup by joining this community journey. When we tend to our creative selves, we can come back to life. It has been an honor and privilege to journey alongside others who understand on a level hard to find anywhere else.” - Lyndsey RN
Testimonials
“During our 12 weeks together, surrounded by compassionate colleagues who share a similar vision, I've found renewal. Together, we peeled back the layers of institutional expectations, rediscovered our authentic selves, and prioritized our well-being. This is not selfish—it is necessary. By tending to our own wholeness, we become more present, more empathetic, more effective caregivers.The Artist's Way has reminded me that our professional calling is also a deeply personal journey of continuous growth, creativity, and self-discovery. We all deserve space to breathe, to reflect, to dream—and to practice healthcare with our full, vibrant selves. “ – Amna, MD
“Why stay in prison when the door is wide open” - I came across this quote by “Rumi” this morning reflecting, and made me realize that participating in Artists’s way has taught me to step out of my own limitation and my comfort zone to connect with my true self and what I am capable of. Wish you all a beautiful and freeing day 💞🌺 - Mitra RN
Proud partners in the Artists Way for Healthcare Workers
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Oncology Nursing Society
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National Association of Hispanic Nurses
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End Well
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Don't Clock Out
Contact Us
Do you have a question about the Artist’s Way for Healthcare Workers? We’d love to hear from you and provide any information you need!
Reach out to our team anytime at: hello@introspectivespaces.com