Reminiscence and Life Story Work Class for Personal Historians and Life Story Writers

I haven’t personally worked with the good people at the International Institute for Reminiscence and Life Review at University of Wisconsin, but several of my fellow life story writers have, and they give it high praise. If you’re interested in earning a certificate—and more importantly, the skills required for reminiscence and life story work—check out the institute’s upcoming online course. Contact Esther Gieschen for more information.

Since 1996, when James Atlas, editor of the New York Times Magazine proclaimed this to be the “Age of Memoir,” the practice of ordinary people recording their life stories has steadily increased. It is a common experience to many who stumble upon the powerful tools of reminiscence and life review to think they are the first to think of the idea. As a result, many individuals proceed to apply these concepts in their work without being adequately prepared to do so, sometimes resulting in less than satisfactory outcomes.

7 benefits of learning about reminiscence and life story work

*  This program will prepare individuals from wide ranging backgrounds to engage in life story work in a variety of settings. It is designed to:

*  teach the intricacies of doing such work including the rewards, challenges and dangers

*  provide an interdisciplinary background in the history, theory and research in reminiscence and life review that is fundamental to any type of life story work

*  introduce the many ways reminiscence, life review and related disciplines are applied in various professional fields to meet widely varying client needs

*  guide first-hand experiences facilitating reminiscence sessions

*  prepare for planning a professional practice providing life story services to others

*  assist in completion of a hands-on project applying learning from courses to work with real-life clients

Those who receive the certificate should be confident in their knowledge base and be able to ethically proceed to engage in life story work in their own settings.
This certificate program has been designed with leaders of Reminiscence and Life Review and other life story work professionals including personal historians.

Description courtesy of Esther Gieschen, University of Wisconsin Superior, Center for Continuing Education