Workshops

Sara T. Baker

"The Thread of Voice; The Fabric of Shared Understanding"

When we become ill, we are thrown into a chaotic world where our "normal" lives disappear. We can feel a loss of control over our bodies and our circumstances, and feel overwhelmed by our new role of patient. Suddenly, instead of being the actors in our lives, we are rendered passive, or in-valid. Fear, despair, and guilt can often threaten to overtake us. Sometimes we don't know who we are anymore. Yet, through writing, we are able to connect with the our authentic Self and give it voice. Our writing becomes the place we can awaken to our feelings, and the workshop becomes the safe haven where we can share those feelings.

Based on thorough research and tailored to each group’s needs, Woven Dialog Workshops create a supportive environment for healing through the practice of writing.

What Happens in a Woven Dialog Workshop?

In a Woven Dialog Workshop, a small group of people gather to write and share their writings. Poetry, images, fairy tales, and others' work is used to seed the imagination, but the primary texts are those created by participants themselves. By learning active listening and by writing observations about what has been read, members are able to respond to the writer in a way which reflects back what has been written. This allows the writer to "see again" his or her writing. A group dynamic is created that allows for trust and support and containment of feelings. Many participants have commented on the relief they have felt after writing a particular piece; others have said "I didn't know I felt that way."

Research conducted at Southern Methodist University, Ohio State University, University of Texas at Austin and North Dakota State University indicate that re-imaging distressing events and the emotions they trigger through writing stories result in the following measurable effects:

Boost Immune system functioning, raising T cell counts
Decrease symptoms of stress, including lowering blood pressure and heart rate
Reduces number of visits to the doctor and days missed at work
Increase resistance to minor illnesses such as colds and flu
Reduces symptoms of arthritis and asthma.
People who can benefit from these workshops include the following populations: those with chronic illness, those with disabilities, those with autoimmune diseases, those with cancer, those who have experienced emotional or physical trauma, youth and the elderly.

Participants can expect:

to learn methods of unlocking the healing powers of the unconscious
to develop self-compassion as you discover your unique voice
to find a supportive atmosphere that allows for a safe exploration of feelings

Other offerings:

Workshops in the Woven Dialog method
Classes for health care professionals in expressive writing
Literature and Medicine: a class modeled on classes taught at Columbia University using literature to increase doctor/patient communication

"Sara has been a phenomenal instructor because she has an illness from which she can draw. For this reason she can be sincerely empathetic to my (the class's) physical and emotional problems while instructing me (us) in the skills needed for me to deal with my personal issues and get them up, out and on paper.

Of all I have done to become a cancer survivor, this healing writing has been the very best and the most rewarding."

Cathy Lannae

"In a safe and instructive space, Sara guides participants in a caring and sensitive manner to find their own true voices. Under her gifted direction, this is indeed a unique experience, where one can journey to the healing energies of self-knowledge, understanding, and forgiveness.

I learned more about myself and about writing than I ever imagined. It was a wonderful adventure!"

Nancy Reeves, LPC

For more information contact

Sara Baker
225 Henderson Avenue
Athens, Georgia 30605
(706)546-5930
saratbaker@bellsouth.net

Findings

A recent paper published in the Journal of American Medical Association by health care researcher Joshua Smyth demonstrates that writing is good for your physical and mental health. A study of expressive writing therapy for breast cancer patients is currently underway at the University of Massachusetts Graduate School of Nursing. Narrative Medicine is a new discipline taught at Columbia University School of Medicine.

Studies done by Dr. Pennebaker (www.psy.utexas.edu/Pennebaker)found that writing which includes both emotional and cognitive components, has a larger effect size than chemotherapy. The strongest effects were found in chronic illness. Language, Dr. Pennebaker posits, cements positive changes.

Selections from Participants' Writings

S. Paladino Jane Okrasinski

Diane Ehlers Nancy Reeves

Brenda Smith Sandra Scott

Cathy Lannae Jeannine Collins

Betty Freemon Nancy Carmichael

Sally Hitchock Cator Hartley

Faye Poole

Betsy Gallant

You can read more selections in our book, Better Than a New Pair of Shoes

available from:

The Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support
1199 Prince Avenue
Athens, Georgia 30606
phone: 706-475-4900
fax 706-475-2297

"The discipline of joy is more difficult than the discipline of fear."

Henri Matisse