Lincolnland Hospice of Sarah Bush Lincoln is offering a free six-week course in grief journaling to help people cope after the loss of a loved one.
The course, taught by bereavement counselor Dawn Macke, will be held from 1 to 2:30 pm for six consecutive Mondays beginning July 2 in the second floor conference room of Prairie Pavilion II, 1004 Health Center Dr., Mattoon.
Keeping a journal can be a valuable step in the healing process especially when the loss of a loved one is too difficult to talk about, Macke said. However, if someone has never kept a journal they might not know where to begin. This course offers tips and ideas to make journaling manageable. There will also be ample time for group discussions during each session, she said.
The course will follow the book “A Passage Through Grief: A Recovery Guide,” by Barbara Baumgardner, which guides people through the journaling process and shares writings from others who are grieving. Each participant will receive a copy.
“I’m really excited about offering this class to help people heal,” Macke said. “I’ve used this book personally and I often recommend it to others.” Journaling can provide a healthy release of emotions and give the bereaved a way of identifying and processing though their grief, she added.
For more information or to register for the course call Lincolnland Hospice toll-free at 1-800-454-4055. This course is open to anyone who has lost a loved one.