The Threshold Project

Threshold Seminar

Based on an innovative and powerful core curriculum, the Threshold Seminar effectively introduces the Threshold Philosophy to participants whose work places them at service to people facing mortality. The main objectives of the Threshold Seminar are:

• To move the participants to connect with and believe in their own intuitive wisdom and abilities.
• To explore the experience of death and dying on a personal level and in a professional context.
• To inspire participants to transform the culture of their workplace.
• To introduce the possibility of transforming the culture surrounding death.

This course includes methods that will enable participants to develop the skills, attitudes, and strategies that are essential to improved quality of care.  It includes practical exercises and realistic role-play that allow participants incorporate essential skills.  The Threshold Seminar will focus on attitudes towards death and dying which will enable the participants to identify areas of improvement and develop action plans.  The measurable goals are greater sense of fulfillment, enhanced client and family satisfaction, and improved job retention.

Upon the completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify and understand the key concepts and of the Threshold Philosophy.
• Identify own feelings and attitudes towards death and dying.
• Initiate strategies supporting and empowering clients in open communication about death and dying.
• Acknowledge personal role in impacting the lives of the people they work with.
• Describe three changes in their workplace and culture that would make a difference for dying people.
• Create an action plan for transforming their workplace.

Threshold Workshop

Threshold Workshops take the basic philosophy and curriculum and expand it into specific skill-building trainings. Participants may be co-workers or self-selected public, with objectives specific to that forum.  For example, an open workshop peopled by interested members drawn from the community, would be a deeper exploration of The Threshold Philosophy.  Whereas, a group of Hospice Social Workers and Chaplains would introduce the Threshold Toolkit of guidelines for Obituary, Ceremony, or Legacy facilitation.

Threshold Education-Pilot 2008

In the spring of 2008, Dr. Fratkin conducted a pilot program to gather data and inform his process of project development. The pilot program included over 240 participants in 18 separate Threshold Seminars with diverse caregiver groups (10-25 people each). The response to this program was overwhelmingly positive, which encouraged us to take the initiative to the next level.

The Threshold Project was welcomed universally during our pilot program and we discovered the ease of integrating our curriculum into existing staff development activities for nurses and physicians in training, home health aides, paramedics, as well as nursing home and assisted living center staff.