Custom Group Workshops

Custom in-person or virtual workshops for your team. 

Laurel has led private communications workshops for a variety of organizations, corporations and academic institutions–including but not limited to Atrius Health, TED, Kaiser, AMGEN, the Mayo Clinic, Harvard University, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, Children’s Bereavement Center, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and many more. 

Participants receive immediately implementable techniques and insights to improve and deepen their own communication practice (oral and written) about the work they do, the people they advocate for and the issues they care about most. She believes that the ability to communicate clearly, effectively, vulnerably and powerfully doesn’t just reconnect participants with their purpose, but is a powerful tool for advocacy (personal, institutional, cultural).

These virtual or in-person workshops can be tailored to your specific needs and include instruction on creative problem solving, authentic and clear communication, fostering resilience via writing and speaking practice, narrative building, and more. Each session blends thoughtful prompts with practical tools, helping participants process experiences, reconnect with purpose, build meaningful connections with their peers, and go on to publish or share their work more broadly if they so choose.

Sample Objectives:

  • Practice specific techniques for speaking and writing more clearly and authentically (one-on-one or to larger audiences)

  • Identify the elements of compelling storytelling and introduce these elements into their own communication practices (oral and written)

  • Draw on their physical senses to imbue their communication with depth and resonance

  • Practice using personal experience in the workplace and beyond to build more effective communication for advocacy

Who We’ve Worked With:

The Data

  • 98% of participants

    say that sessions helped them find meaning, think more clearly, and/or process some of recent experiences

  • 93% of participants

    say they felt re-invigorated to return to daily life after this session

  • 86% of participants

    felt a renewed sense of purpose in their work

What People are Saying:

“In addition to the workshop being a helpful writing workshop, it also bonded our staff as we shared with one another (always voluntarily, of course). Lauren's guidance, manner, and positive energy is infectious!”

- Donna Schuurman, Ed.D., F.T. Senior Director of Advocacy & Education and Executive Director Emeritus, Dougy Center 

“Many thanks to Laurel for an excellent, practical, thought-provoking, and heartfelt session with our med students! I learned so much and feel tremendously blessed to be part of this larger world of creative talent that is shifting the medical landscape.”

–Kathlen Van Buren, Ph.D, Director, Humanities in Medicine, Assistant Professor of Medical Education, Mayo Clinic

“Thank you for your incredible keynote and breakout session at our Wellness Weekend. It was moving, wise, and deeply human. It has lingered with me through the weekend. I am looking at my own childhood grief with new eyes. It was such a pleasure to meet you in person and have the chance to learn from you. Your approach to story and advocacy made the process feel accessible and inviting, so much so that I have found myself jotting down scenes and snippets… You’ve given me both inspiration and a new sense of possibility.”

– Amanda L. Bauer DO, Regional Medical Director, Acute Care Services, Permanente Medicine Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group

“The entire workshop felt incredibly meaningful, but perhaps most of all was the insight into my coworkers lives, writing styles and the sense of connection within the group.”

- Grace Starling, Dougy Center Staff

Fee Structure

Writing workshops are free for patients and caregivers and certain nonprofit and patient advocacy groups. Fee and/or honorarium required for everyone else. Cost depends on availability, virtual or in person, size of audience, and the needs of the institution.