Welcome sister truthseeker! My passion is to guide women and "goddesses in training" (aka tween girls) in finding, telling, living and celebrating their truth through story and mixed media art. I am constantly excavating the surface and re-defining my path on this incredible life journey. Looking forward to our travels!
{My Background: I've been in social work since 1998, facilitated numerous groups for journaling, stress management, anger management and coping skills, taught parenting classes and LifeBook classes. I've completed a two year management development program through Radford University, received a LEAD certificate from UVA, have an Associate's in Mental Health, a Bachelor's in Social Work and a Master's Degree with a focus on social science and women's studies. I'm also a certified instructor through The Center for Journal Therapy. I have presented at the Healing through Creativity Festival in October 2009 and @ Story Circle Network's National Conference in February 2010. I facilitate workshops locally, guide women's circles on line and can often be found teaching a course for Story Circle Network}
Interviews and Reviews:
Village Hearth
Pacifiers Pumps The World
Hiccups in Time
Workbooks:
Life Lines - Celebrate Your Journey, a journal writing workbook available at https://www.createspace.com/3397119
or Amazon.com
Celebrate Your Journey - A Monthly Planner and Journal Companion" also @ Amazon.com. You can look at both of these under Workshops & Workbooks.
Testimonials
Good new tools/exercises; very personal for me; well prepared; good materials; wonderful leader; focused; timely; enough time (balanced) for writing and sharing and useful information; her telling of personal, relevant experience; gentle, wonderful handouts; favorite presenter
Story Circle Network conference participants' evaluation comments
Although I have done a lot of lifewriting already, and am revising my memior, I found these exercises and the insturctor's comments and support to push me in new directions and that is always a welcome thing. For anyone interested in taking her life writing to new levels this course is for you. Combined writing and visual exercises addresses our multiple intelligences and stretches our creative talents. Dawn is a great leader and a great support and very accessible and flexible. I will be using these exercises and the binder we created for a long time to come. Life Books participant taught for Story Circle Network
Fantastic! So much so, I may take another of Dawn's courses. Dawn posted me her book, which inspired me to write more this month than I have in many years. Dawn inspired me to write more, to journal more, to be consistent with my own needs. Celebrate Your Journey participant through Story Circle Network
Your workshop was awesome! I feel inspired! Workshop Participant
Dawn's enthusiasm inspired me to write again and she helped me to set goals and increase self-esteem. Lori
An opportunity was presented to me to participate in a Journaling class conducted by Dawn Espelage. Through this opportunity I experienced Dawn's teaching and guidance. I found this class to be informative and mind opening. She showed me a way to express myself through life's journey. I have found that her class has helped in my healing process and now I embrace Journaling as part of my growth process. Kristy
If you want to learn how to get the most out of your journaling experience, you have definitely come to the right place. Dawn has a wonderful talent for inspiring and creates an awesome journaling atmosphere. She provides different perspectives and helps you to see the many avenues journaling can take you. I was privileged to take her classes. I truly enjoyed working with Dawn and will do so again. Traci