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Spiritual Self-Inquiry
Leslie Ihde LCSW, 15 Oakcrest Rd., Ithaca, NY  607.754.1303

End of Life Stories

As a psychotherapist and a writer I would like to help you share your own story with your friends and family.  My interest is in helping you articulate what is meaningful to you, and to help you describe significant events.  I will work with you privately to compile and edit stories and memories that you would like to leave as part of your legacy.  The process, the way I conduct it, is intended to help you gain clarity about your life and to feel peaceful and fulfilled.  I believe that our life is a journey of self-discovery, not always known to be such.  I want to help you distill the insights, dreams, and reflections that matter most to you into a narrative that you may leave for others.  (I am loosely referencing C.G. Jung here who called his autobiography, Memories, Dreams, Reflections.)

Leaving this life can be terrifying.  It will be gentler for you if you can gather and share your insights and recollections with those you love.  The process of creating a small book, perhaps including illustrations, can help you during this time.  Whether you are simply in your senior years, or suffering a life threatening illness, sharing your deepest perceptions and life stories as part of your legacy is a gift that transcends the years of your life.

My first experience in working with a dying person and gathering his stories was on the occasion of my uncle's death.  It was a beautiful experience for both of us, and inspired me to continue this work.  For a consultation to explore the possibilities of this project for yourself or your loved one, please contact me.  

Expenses

In truth, this process can not be paid for since it is a gift of the spirit.  However, to support the activity and the time involved, it is necessary to assign a fee.  

​Since each person's project is unique I ask for a retainer and draw against that based on my hourly rate.  I offer an initial consultation at a special one time fee of $90.  It is important that both of us feel comfortable.  Health insurance may be used against some portion of the cost when therapy sessions become a part of the process.  Gathering, editing, and writing from oral history are a separate expense.  Depending on how we decide to publish your work there will be additional fees associated with publication. I often use Createspace, however, and the fees are nominal.
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