PAIN MEETS PEN™: QUIETING CHRONIC PAIN WITH THERAPEUTIC WRITING
Original six-week workshop series
and
Monthly Pain Meets Pen™ Journaling Workshops!
As someone with chronic pain, you have likely been told, “Learn to live with it.” But how? Or, “Listen to your body.” But what does that mean for you as a unique individual?
Therapeutic writing is an evidence-based practice for improving physical and mental health and overall well-being. In this groundbreaking workshop, you are invited to explore your relationship with chronic pain, illness, and disability through expressive writing, alongside a supportive peer community, as you gently enter into the space between your present life and one you desire and deserve.
Pain Meets Pen™ is a virtual, six-session* interactive workshop. Spring/Summer series to be announced soon- please subscribe to Ink To Insight, LLC’s newsletter to hear about dates!
*For information on monthly Pain Meets Pen workshops, please scroll down.
Each session in the six-week series includes:
- Guided, structured writing exercises creatively and uniquely designed for folks with chronic pain
- Mindfulness practices
- Group sharing (sharing is always optional – you determine your level of participation)
- Psycho-education
- Journaling prompts and handouts are sent to participants for between-session practice (also optional)
- Guidance from a uniquely qualified, sought-after chronic pain expert who also lives with chronic pain
- A supportive, confidential peer community
- During our last session, you will be guided to complete a personalized writing and wellness plan to use moving forward
-No writing or journaling experience necessary. Workshops are intentionally designed to welcome folks all along the continuum, from the new and curious to lifelong journal writers. Our focus is process, not product; self-discovery and healing, not craft.
-While this is an interactive, engaging group, your writing is sacred and sharing is always optional.
-In the spirit of replicating “in-person” community to the extent possible and cultivating a safe, welcoming space for sharing and witnessing, it is preferable to have your video camera on during workshop sessions to the extent possible. If you need any accommodations around this – or anything else – please be in touch.
-Although I am a psychotherapist and this workshop offers evidence-based therapeutic benefits, this is a personal development workshop and not a substitute for group or individual psychotherapy.
-If you are interested in joining an upcoming workshop – and/or if you are a care professional who would like more information to pass along to folks you work with – please contact: Elisa@inktoinsight.com
“I have recommended (Pain Meets Pen™) to friends… a really great way to explore, discover, transform, heal, listen to, and be with chronic pain in a softer, more compassionate, and understanding way. I loved sharing with other people, being witnessed, inspired, and moved by others…” Becky R.
Global – join from anywhere via Zoom!
For more information and to determine if Pain Meets Pen™ is the right workshop for you, please contact Elisa Friedlander, LMFT, LPCC, CJT at elisa@inktoinsight.com with the subject line “Pain Meets Pen” to schedule a no-fee 20-minute intake.
****NEW FOR 2026: Monthly Pain Meets Pen™ workshops***
Ink To Insight, LLC also offers monthly Pain Meets Pen™ Journaling!
Similar to the 6-week workshops, these gatherings center on expressive writing for folks navigating chronic conditions (pain or illness). We are all about writing, sharing (optional), and reflecting on our words in a comforting, come-as-you-are, supportive community. You’ll always be guided with creative prompts, and no experience is necessary. Monthly workshops are fully focused on writing and sharing (no psycho-education component, unlike the above six-week series).
Each workshop is unique, so you may participate in one or as many as you like!
For more information (or to ask questions), please send an email to elisa@inktoinsight.com
Monthly Pain Meets Pen™ Journaling Workshop Dates:
Spring/Summer 2026 (Mondays from 12-2 PST):
May 4th
June 1st
July 6th
August 3rd
August 31st
FEES:
$50 per 2-hour workshop*, includes follow-up emails with recaps, workshop materials, and extra journaling prompts.
Registering for more than one workshop? Bringing a friend along? Ask me about a reduced fee!
*If participating is cost-prohibitive and you’d like to join, just be in touch!
To register:
-Send an email to: Elisa@inktoinsight.com with the subject “Pain Meets Pen”
-Please let me know the date(s) you would like to register for (above) and/or ask any questions you might have.
Hope to see you soon in writing community!
Space is limited for most therapeutic writing, journaling, and poetry workshops. Please subscribe to Ink To Insight, LLC’s low-volume newsletter to be among the first to learn about upcoming workshops. To sign up, use the opt-in box in the right sidebar. I look forward to being in community with you!