Thursday, February 07, 2008

A Unique Approach to Self-Improvement

Personal growth is a New Year’s resolution that everyone should have on their list of goals to accomplish this year. To help people achieve their personal best, Fayette Senior Services is pleased to host a variety of enlightening personal growth classes with retired licensed counseling psychologist, Dr. James Hughey. The classes will be held every Tuesday at Fayette Senior Services new life enrichment center. “Personal growth happens when an individual takes responsibility for their choices and behaviors as they live a positive and healthy life.” says Dr. Hughey. “One of the ways we learn about life possibilities is to actively and passively interact with others in our world.” Dr. Hughey explains.

Dr. Hughey’s “Communication Styles” addresses one of life's continuing challenges; how to communicate effectively with other people, both in the way we offer information to others and how we are able to understand what others are telling us. Participants use a communication style workbook and learn their personal style of communicating with others and how to effectively interact with those who have a different style. The class will be offered on February 12 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The popular “Conversation Corner” will be held on Tuesday, February 19 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Conversation Corner is an opportunity to talk and listen with other older adults about emotional topics of mutual interest at this stage of your life journey. Dr. Hughey encourages dialogue with diversity of viewpoints and the objective is to share and discuss, to talk and listen, but not argue and convince. Content of conversations will vary based on who is in attendance and who chooses to participate. This is a stand-alone class and offered on a continuing basis.

“Much of the power for self-learning is being lost when our society focuses only on verbal speech.” Hughey emphasizes. In his three-session class, “Personal Journaling,” Dr. Hughey encourages the unique aspects of personal growth that come with writing a journal. There will be discussion and experimentation with types of journals, styles of writing, choosing focus, frequency, length, honesty, confidentiality and sharing. The class will be held on February 26, March 4 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Class registration is available at Fayette Senior Services located at 4 Center Drive in Fayetteville (across from the new Fayette County courthouse) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday. The cost for each class is $5 for Center members and $7 for non-members. There is an additional $5 fee for the “Communication Styles” workbook.

Before retiring as a licensed counseling psychologist, Dr. Hughey devoted more than 30 years to his profession and sharing his knowledge with others in a wide variety of ways including work as a teacher, professor and director of college counseling centers. Believing that diversity brings personal knowledge, Dr. Hughey’s professional experience also includes private clinical practice, a radio talk show host/producer, cruise ship enrichment lecturer and mental health/organizational training consultant.

Fayette Senior Services (FSS) is a non-profit organization that provides a broad scope of life-enhancing services to Fayette County residents age 50 and better. The organization offers mature adults the opportunity to be involved in a variety of social, leisure, educational, wellness and life-enriching activities. For more information call 770-461-0813 or visit www.fayss.org.

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