New!

For the Caregiver

The Grit and Grace of Being a Caregiver:

This popular DVD is full of wisdom and inspiration for professional and lay caregivers alike.  Seven guidelines help define one's role and one's task when caring for another.  Examples include "The healthiest way to care for another is to care for yourself", and "To be close you must establish boundaries."  The conclusion is a stirring affirmation of caregiving's rewarding possibilities. 

36 minutes Willowgreen

You can be an Even Better Caregiver (DVD)

A 'momism' is one of those sayings that our moms used over and over, which we swore we'd never use with our own kids.  "Eat your spinach - it makes you strong"  "Don't cross your eyes, they may get stuck that way."  What if our mothers knew more than we gave them credit for?  What if their momisms has something valuable to say about how we do our care-giving, if we only look at them in that context?  Delightful and insightful, full and warm, all at the same time.   4 minutes Willowgreen

The Art of Listening in a Healing Way

This DVD begins with a description of what healing listening is and how it differs from other kinds of listening.  There follows a series of underlying principles, grouped in four categories: before you start, as you begin, as you proceed, and when you conclude.  Photography of flowers in nature helps illustrate all the ideas. 46 minutes Willowgreen

Listen to Your Sadness

Designed as gentle support for life's troubling times, this DVD introduces a four-step process for dealing with despair:  experience the present, review the past, visualize the future, and return to the present anew.  Images from nature support the message in a creative way.  A life-giving affirmation serves as a fitting conclusion.  18 minutes Willowgreen 

You Shall Not Be Overcome (DVD)

This series of ten meditations is designed to comfort and reassure those who are unsure of what the future holds.  A single, clear theme unifies each meditation.   Music, photography, and poetic script combine to support and uplift the viewer from beginning to end.  32 minutes Willowgreen

Support for those Grieving a Loss

When Mourning Dawns (DVD)

Comparing the pattern of grief to the rhythm of the seasons, this presentation weaves together wise quotations, clear descriptions of common responses, and practical suggestions for going through each of grief's seasons.   Photography is entirely from nature.  The result is a confirming and inspiring look at this significant life experience. A comprehensive study guide is included, aimed at support group leaders.  51 minutes Willowgreen

We Will Remember (DVD)

Originally created as the centerpiece for a service of remembrance, this program uses nature photography, reflective music, and thoughtful narration for its confirming message:  we will do well to hold on to the memories of those who have gone before us, and allow those memories to lead us into the future.  This piece has been used in hundreds of services of remembrance.   11 minutes.  Willowgreen

New for Children and Adults:

Tear Soup (DVD)b

Grandy has just suffered a big loss in her life, and so she is cooking up her own unique batch of "tear soup".  Tear Soup gives you a glimpse into grandy's life as she blends different ingredients into her own grief process.  Her tear soup will help to bring her comfort and ultimately help to fill the void in her life that was created by her loss.  17 minutes GriefWatch

For Personal or Group Meditation or Reflection

The Wisdom of the Path (DVD)

Thoughtful quotes about taking paths and making journeys appear slowly on the screen, interspersed with images of paths through every terrain and in all seasons.  The calming acoustic woodwind music feels inviting and supporting.   This visual meditation is for both individual and group use.  11 minutes

Streams in the Desert (DVD)

Quiet acoustic guitar accompanies desert landscapes and quotations on the screen about desert experiences in life.  Midway through, the images shift to waterscapes and quotations that reflect life's fullness.  12 minutes.  Willowgreen

Common Bushes Afire (DVD)

Near the beginning is the story of the burning bush from the book of Exodus in the Old Testament:  "Take off your shoes, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."  Near the end are the words from Elizabeth Barrett Browning:  "Every common bush is afire with God."  Throughout is photography of urban life, cathedrals, stained glass windows, and nature.  People of all faiths remark about this presentation's beauty and its meaning for their lives.   15 minutes Willowgreen

Classic Titles!

Encounters with Depression (VHS)

Dr. K. Sohail, psychiatrist, shares his insights into depression and how various forms of treatment help patients and their families to regain a happy and healthy lifestyle.  Three patients share their experiences with depression and the help they received to deal with it.  This documentary is produced to help patients, their families, therapists and the public at large to develop a better understanding and an optimistic attitude towards depression.  It will reassure them that there is light at the end of a dark tunnel.  30 minutes Darvish Films

Exploring the Sacred in Death and Dying (VHS)

This series of 6 videos is for those who have to deal with the death of a loved one, or for those who relate to someone whose loved one is dying.  Led by Ron DelBene, people tell their stories of experiencing the death of loved ones, and reflect on what they have learned.  Each of the first 5 videos deals with 2 topics, and at the end of each part there are questions for reflection and/or discussion.  The 6th tape is the DelBene family story.   Each tape 20 minutes.  Ecufilm

Growing Alone Together (Documentary) (VHS)

 In this documentary, psychiartrist Dr. K Sohail presents the stories of three couples whose relationships went through difficult times.

Through interviews with spouses and family members he shows how these people who fell in love, married and had children, began to encounter serious problems in their relationships.  Couples started to experience resentment, anger, hostility and despair.  120 minutes Darvesh Films

Making Every Moment Count (DVD and VHS)

After multiple, unsuccessful chemotherapies, Mikaela knows that she has a choice: she can let her brain tumor grow "and just go away, up to heaven," or she can put up with "needles and pokes and all that stuff and make it go away, and even perhaps it might come back."  Sometimes she feels ready to stop her treatments, but then she thinks about how much her mother will miss her…

Thoughtful and evocative, this new video addresses the complex issues surrounding end-of-life care for children.  Psychologist and award-winning filmmaker Leora Kuttner, PhD, profiles five children with life threatening illness, and the families and health professionals who support them.   The film clearly shows that, despite popular belief, children can talk about end-of-life issues if given proper support, and that doing so can help both them and their families cope with the realities of their situation.  The film focuses on the emotional and psychological aspects of pediatric palliative care.  It features deeply caring physicians, nurses, therapists and others working with families whose children range from newborns to teenagers.  Their care takes place in the hospital, in hospice programs and at home.  Designed for health and social service professionals and students, this program is also compelling viewing for families and anyone caring for seriously ill children, as well as for the general public.  Dr. Leora Kuttner is also the producer of two groundbreaking films on pediatric pain management. 38 minutes National Film Board and Still Water Pictures

Minnie Remembers (VHS)

Minnie is a lonely old woman, who lives alone. She remembers the past and thinks of the present as a time when no one even knows she exists or addresses her by name.  A classic.  5 minutes Ecufilm

Listening to Soul Pain (VHS)

This video will raise awareness of the effects of trauma on the human spirit and emphasize that complete healing requires attention to the spiritual concerns which surface in the wake of the experience.  While the spiritual struggle may begin almost immediately following the event, the most intense pain of the spiritual conflict is often encountered only many months or even years, after.

The Victorian Order of Nurses (Edmonton Branch) is proud to present the video "Listening to Soul Pain" to anyone providing care to those who are struggling to survive a difficult or traumatic experience.    25 minutes   VON

Wings Like a Dove (VHS)

This video is subtitled, 'Healing for the Abused Christian Woman'.  It is devoted to the goal of ending the physical, emotional and spiritual suffering experienced by Christian women in abusive relationships.  It provides guidance for suffering women and for clergy and shelter staff and other helpers.  It directly addresses the religious issues that may be troubling women and preventing them from seeking help.  25 minutes Michi Pictures

There are many more titles available - Jackie or Kathy are happy to consult with you and help with your program needs.

AVEL programs contain public performance rights.  We can ship to your home, the church or your workplace.  Use your AVEL library today!