John George Psychiatric Pavilion Labyrinth
JULY 18, 2011
Having a labyrinth
at the John George Psychiatric Pavilion-
of the Alameda County Medical Center
in San Leandro, CA,
has been a long, heart felt desire of
their Occupational Therapy Manager,
Terri Daugherty, OTR/L
When Guy Qvistgaard
came on board as the
JGPP Hospital Administrator,
Terri's dream
became a reality...
I had the honor
and privilege to design
a one-of-a kind labyrinth
that fits into their existing courtyard
and grove of magnolia trees...
at the John George Psychiatric Pavilion-
of the Alameda County Medical Center
in San Leandro, CA,
has been a long, heart felt desire of
their Occupational Therapy Manager,
Terri Daugherty, OTR/L
When Guy Qvistgaard
came on board as the
JGPP Hospital Administrator,
Terri's dream
became a reality...
I had the honor
and privilege to design
a one-of-a kind labyrinth
that fits into their existing courtyard
and grove of magnolia trees...
With pops of rainbows
for patients and staff
to pause upon
as they make their way
through the meandering path
to the spiral center...
for patients and staff
to pause upon
as they make their way
through the meandering path
to the spiral center...
this labyrinth
speaks to the path of healing
in mind, spirit, and in body...
speaks to the path of healing
in mind, spirit, and in body...
It is a place for time
out of time...
out of time...
a place to find peace
out of chaos,
and to touch into nature...
out of chaos,
and to touch into nature...
Many of the incredible staff at JGPP
assisted in making this labyrinth...
assisted in making this labyrinth...
Including my longtime
friend Dr. Joyce Moulden
who's help I could not have done without!
friend Dr. Joyce Moulden
who's help I could not have done without!
Check out Francesca's
innovative support
for the detailed taping after
I laid down the blue defining tape!
innovative support
for the detailed taping after
I laid down the blue defining tape!
from our
"bend and snap"
to...
"bend and snap"
to...
the paint beneath our feet...
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Labyrinths provide us with a path to practice change. Some labyrinths have withstood the passage of time for thousands of years. Others are here for just an afternoon, drawn in the sand at the edge of the ocean. Many modern labyrinths were meant to last for years, but because of unforeseen circumstances their time is shorter than intended. And they once again help us to practice letting go and giving thanks for the time they are with us. The Labyrinth of Life at the Sebastopol, California Teen Center reached such place of letting go and is at the end of one chapter and the beginning of another chapter that is yet unknown.

Sometimes... a labyrinth can take years to become a physical reality. In 2018 I met with my friend Deb, to discuss her desire to have a labyrinth on the beautiful land she lives on. Despite our plans and several meetings, listening to the land and finding the right spot, the labyrinth did not come to fruition. Fast-forward five years and in the blink of an eye... it happened!