Storytelling Workshop

ACO would like to warmly welcome and invite adults in the adoption and permanency galaxy to a complimentary storytelling workshop. We are offering this special workshop in advance of our upcoming Education Month in November particularly for those who may be interested in sharing stories with others through panel discussions, conversations, blogs and/or 1 on 1 through our new “human” library. This workshop will provide you with space and support as you think about what and how you’d like to share parts of your adoption & permanency experiences. Limited spots available.

When: October 24th, 2021
Time: 2 PM – 4 PM
Where: Online, Zoom
Cost: Free
Register: Open now, register below!

Workshop details:

Telling Our Stories: Authoring Our Adoption Experiences

As members of the adoption and permanency galaxy there are stories told to us and about us. What are the stories we tell to ourselves and about ourselves? How do these compare to stories others tell? What are the stories we want to tell? This workshop is a starting point on a journey of claiming authorship of our stories, of becoming the narrators of our experience.

Through a number of guided activities, we will explore these and other questions. There will be opportunities to write, reflect and share. Your participation in any of the activities is voluntary. It is enough to be present, to listen, to write* and to reflect. Sharing is understood as an opportunity to hear our voices speak our truths, to be witnessed and held in the telling of the story. Adoption is a unique, relational experience. Storytelling is an opportunity to relate our experience.

Please bring materials that work for you such as a journal, sketch book, writing/drawing materials or the voice recorder on your phone (for creating voice memos). Please assure you will have the level of privacy and the creature comforts you need.

*You are the only person who will see your words so spelling and grammar don’t count. The ability to write is not important, you may draw or record your story in ways that work for you.

Outline:

1. Guidelines: to support confidentiality, an environment of acceptance (non-judgement) and self-care/responsibility.
2. Introductions: a little bit about us, a little bit more about what we will be doing.
3. Activities: during our time together, you will be offered writing prompts: a word/phrase/question about your adoption story. You may be asked to free write (stream of consciousness) in a short period of time or you may be asked to reflect and be given a longer period of time to record a response. There will be opportunities to reflect on what you have written, to share and to edit. All activities are things you may come back to at any time after the workshop is over.
4. Wrap Up: an invitation to reflect and summarize your experience, to identify what you are taking away and what your next steps might be.

Presenter Bio for Barbara Jones Warrick:

I have always loved stories and some of my fondest memories are of sitting on the corner couch with my mom or dad and two younger sisters for bed-time stories. I have been writing and telling stories in various forms for most of my life and have a deep appreciation for stories others tell: as family, as friends, as clients.

I am an adoption competent psychotherapist and play therapist. My work draws from the Narrative Therapy approach developed by Michael White and David Epston. I use this work in combination with sandtray therapy and other approaches to help people re-author their lives, to live into the stories they want to tell about themselves. My writing includes contributions to professional publications and a poetry anthology. My personal story includes being adopted.

Learn more about our upcoming Education Month here.

Questions? Email [email protected]