Unlock the tools you need to deepen your growth and creativity through the tried-and-true practice of journal writing. In this workshop, Licensed Mental Health Counselor Alison Issen will help you explore your self-awareness through explorations of memories, events and feelings. You’ll look at ways of studying your life experiences to gain insight and further develop your creative capacity. Anyone is welcome to join this workshop, but it is particularly suitable for those who have attended January’s “Blank Slate: Journal Tips for the New Year” program, or those who have had significant journal writing experience on their own or in other settings.

By participating in this session, you can expect to:

• demonstrate understanding of journal writing as a therapeutic technique, used to enhance awareness and understanding of their life situations.
• personally experience journal writing exercises as a tool for growth and creativity.
• gain knowledge of journal writing techniques to be used for personal/professional enrichment.

Special Instructions: Journals are not required, but participants should bring paper and a pen or pencil for note-taking.

This program is presented by Alison Issen and hosted by the Winter Park Health Foundation.

A note regarding COVID-19 safety protocols: At this time, all guests at the Center for Health & Wellbeing are required to wear masks in all indoor spaces, including during our education programs. Presenters may remove their masks in order to be better heard by audience members. Attendees, however, must keep their masks fully in place (covering the nose and mouth) during the entire presentation. In accordance with CHWB guidelines, our programs will also be limited in capacity and rooms set to account for social distancing.

Cancelling Your Reservation: If you are unable to attend a program, cancelling your reservation gives us an accurate count of how many to expect; for sold-out programs, cancelling your reservation also allows someone on the waitlist to attend in your place. Cancelling your reservation for this program is especially important as we are currently limiting capacities as part of our COVID-19 safety regulations. Cancelling can be done in two easy ways: by calling 407.644.2492 and selecting Option 1, then Option 3 to speak to a representative or by using the online ticket cancellation option in your original confirmation email from Eventbrite.

By participating in this program, you agree to CHWB’s Gracious Space policy.

About the Program Presenter

Alison C. Issen has a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of Central Florida, and is a licensed mental health counselor, as well as a registered nurse. She is recently retired as the outpatient counselor at Orlando Health/UF Health Cancer Center. For several years, she coordinated the Sage-ing Center, a program which encourages and supports adults of all ages, but particularly those in the second half of life, to inventory, evaluate and intentionally plan a life of purpose, learning, fulfillment and community service. She brought this comprehensive program to the hospice several years ago and developed Hospice of the Comforter’s Quality of Life Education Program. Issen has taught Psychology at the college level and has worked in the field of health and wellness for more than 35 years, including more than 10 years as a hospice nurse and counselor. Her areas of specialty include Stress Management, Grief and Loss, End-of-Life, Aging and Relationship Issues, and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy and Positive Psychology. Beyond her professional life, Issen is an “extreme gardener,” volunteers at a local animal shelter and performs with local singing and theatre groups.