Dr Engel is a licensed psychologist and can help you write
your life story



Welcome! There are many reasons why having your life story on paper might be important to you. Each individual is unique in their reasons. Some folks might be thinking about their death and leaving behind an important legacy. Some have told me that they want to have their portion of the family history preserved. Others say they would like to get details about their life documented before they forget, so that their adventures and life lessons can be passed down to younger generations. Whatever it may be,

it is an important journey.





Here is how it works





Plan and outline together



People often hire me because documenting a life can be overwhelming or emotional, and it is easy to keep putting it off. First, we connect on the phone and diaglogue about what you are hoping to obtain from this process and which elements of your story speak to you. This is an important step. We also make decisions together about how your readers, your voice, and the events in your life will impact the style of your product.




connect and talk together



Then we get together for a series of interviews. We can do this online, or in-person. I have met customers in their home. We could also meet at my office, or in a cozy coffee shop, wherever you feel most comfortable. I can send you questions in advance if you need help starting. I limit each interview block to about two hours, so you don't get too worn out from the process. It's important to keep this fun.




Discuss the final product together



Once I believe that I have gathered all the necessary information from our meetings, then I get to writing and weaving together a compelling personal narrative. I will send you a series of drafts so that you can make changes to reflect your style and your voice. Then at the end, I send you a digital manuscript so that you can share it with your family, or take it to the next step with publishing or personalizing.





Why hire me?



Working with a practicing psychologist has many benefits. I have been drawing out the rich and rewarding stories of my clients for many years, some of the favorite elements of my psychology practice. Because of my training, I am adept at asking good questions which will help you express the finer points of your story. People say they feel at ease around me and enjoy my laid-back, warm nature. Further, I am good at helping individuals with all the different kinds of emotions that might surface, and keeping your information private and confidential. I do not use generative technology or cut/paste templates that subscription services often use. I am a clear, succinct writer with decades of experience in both professional and personal prose.




how much does it cost?



I think it is important to keep this process simple and affordable so that you can have success in getting your personal story on paper, and gifting this narrative and moment in time to your loved ones. The lengthy and drawn out nature of weekly email subscription services often fail because of the nature of our busy lives - people lose interest and other priorities crowd out our time. While personal ghost writers will often charge thousands of dollars for their skills, I charge $400 for a clean, honest, and down-to-earth, four-chapter manuscript. That is just over $30/hr. You pay as we get each chapter complete. Call me if you want to purchase packages to gift the process to loved ones, such as your parents or a special person in your family.




what does the product look like?



The story about you is unique and priceless. A four-part story can take on any number of forms, personalized to your personality. Of course, many people like the chronological format, but it can also be a highlight of different values, an outline of your love story, a thematic narrative, or a compare/contrast chronicle. The final product will depend on what parts you want to highlight or pass down, and I have many ideas about how you can do that. At the end of our work together, you will receive a digital manuscript that has permissions for you to edit so you can add photos, or write an additional chapter at some point. It can be a work in progress, or you can use the digital file to get your work bound and printed, self-published or preserved in some way.




how do i get started?



It is good to take some quiet moments to reflect on your life and why you would like to embark on this journey. Sometimes the first step can feel a bit formidable, or even bring up a regret or two that you'd rather not ponder. This is very normal. I can help you sort out whether those are important to relay or not, and assist you in harnessing the alacrity of this process. When you are ready, contact me and I will make sure you get all your questions answered, outline the process, and get us going on this exciting, collaborative journey for you. You can call or email:



720-272-6808

DrB@TherapyGarden.net




Ask me about
Gift Cards!





Great for parents, grandparents,

and special gifts



Therapy Garden, LLC



DrB@TherapyGarden.net | 720-272-6808