The Courage to Write
An online writing workshop for those living with chronic illness
“Never forget that writing is an act of courage”
– Julia Cameron
Dear participants,
When I need to sort through my feelings, I turn to writing. It is a grounding place to land when so much feels uncertain. It helps me connect with myself and feel and understand what I am feeling. Most of all, it gives me a place to put those feelings and let them breathe. Just like a painter pauses to observe their creation, we too can take a step back from our words on the page and bravely face what’s there—our pain, our desires, our dreams, our fears.
Writing helps us make sense of our lives.
A few years ago, while I was in the hospital receiving treatment for lung disease, a writer friend encouraged me to document my experience during my stay and write about the most vulnerable parts of what I was going through. “Do not be afraid to go to the dark places,” she said. I resisted at first. How could I begin to write about something I could barely comprehend? I also was afraid to face and express all that I was feeling and what I might discover. But I knew in my heart it would help.
Like so many times before in my life, writing became a central part of my healing process. Writing helped me begin to grieve my chronic illness, acknowledge the losses and feel my pain. Through that process, I also discovered wisdom, value and meaning in my lived experiences, something that continues to surprise and delight me about the writing process.
I created this workshop to share how writing can be a supportive tool for those living with chronic illness. My hope is that you too will discover the value and power of writing, and discover the courage within you to write.
I hope you can join me.
Carla
Workshop Summary
This workshop uses writing as a tool to process and express experiences, thoughts and feelings related to living with chronic illness. The workshop features a blend of guided writing prompts, sharing and discussion, and exercises to calm and ground us throughout our time together.
When: 11am to 12:30pm Eastern Time Zone, Tuesday, April 30
Where: In real time online via Zoom (link will be provided after registration)
What Makes This Workshop Special:
As someone who has been living with chronic illnesses for most of my life, I bring my lived experience, understanding and compassion for others on this similar journey. This workshop melds together my love of and experience in writing and helping others. I am a writer, creator, counselor, helper, and chronic illness fighter and advocate.
I’ve been writing since I was a young child, composing stories and haikus about talking animals and nature. Later in adulthood, I studied journalism in college and received my bachelor’s degree in English. I went on to enjoy more than a decade of being a journalist, editor, and columnist, and later on, a public relations manager and marketing director for a community college. I left my career in 2017 to obtain a graduate degree and license in mental health counseling. One of the reasons I became a counselor was to help people in the underserved chronic illness community through individual counseling and group offerings such as this.
The Courage to Write is for:
Any adult age 21 and older who is living with chronic illness and wants to explore writing as a tool for expression and healing.
You don’t have to be a writer or have any writing experience to take this workshop. All are welcome, whether you are a beginning writer, seasoned writer or have never written at all before.
The Workshop Features:
– Guided writing prompts
– Opportunities to read your writing or share what the experience was like for you. (Sharing is not required. You get to decide how much you want to share and what feels right for you.)
– Brief guided exercises to ground and calm throughout the workshop
What You Will Explore and Discover
- How chronic illness impacts and has impacted you and your life
- Space to process and express your feelings about your chronic illness
- Emotional release and freedom of writing and telling your story
- Physical benefits of decreased tension and stress in the body
- A safe and supportive space
- Connection and validation from others on a similar journey and who truly understand your experience
Join The Courage to Write Today
Fee is $42
Size is limited to 8 participants to foster sharing, connection and comfort.
Registration has passed, but I will be offering this workshop again in the summer. Check back here for details, or if you would like personal updates about future workshops, please email me or sign up for my newsletter here.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at carla@spacetohealcounseling.com or 336-585-7188.
*Please note the cancellation policy below.
Refund and Cancellation Policy for Workshops
We understand that unexpected circumstances sometimes arise, preventing participants from attending a workshop despite the best intentions. If you are unable to attend, please email carla@spacetohealcounseling.com to cancel your registration and request a refund. We require at least 48 hours notice before the time and date of the scheduled event to receive a refund. Refunds include the workshop registration fee minus processing fees if paying by credit card.
A refund of the registration fee will not be issued if a participant does not show up to the workshop.
If the workshop facilitator needs to cancel the workshop for any reason, the workshop registration fee will be refunded to participants.