Dignity Therapy is a therapeutic approach that helps people reflect on their lives, capture important memories, and pass on meaningful words to loved ones. Developed by Dr. Harvey Chochinov, it is often used in palliative care, but its spirit is valuable much earlier in life as well. By encouraging honest conversations about what matters most, it allows us to honour our values, reduce fear, and integrate life’s transitions with dignity and peace.
What makes Dignity Therapy unique is its gentle but structured process: through guided questions, a person is invited to share stories, wisdom, and messages that can be recorded and preserved as a legacy. For many, this is not only a gift for their families but also a way to affirm that their life has had meaning.
My personal connection
I first immersed myself in Dignity Therapy about ten years ago, during my work in a nursing home. Over those years, I saw how transformative it could be — residents often felt lighter, more at peace, and deeply valued simply by being given the space to share their stories. For me, it reinforced the idea that dignity is not just about how we die, but about how we live each day.
I never imagined how profoundly this work would touch my own life. When my mum was diagnosed with cancer, she asked me to walk with her through the process. As her daughter, I found this both incredibly hard and incredibly meaningful. Holding space for her reflections, listening to her stories, and shaping her words together became a gift I will always treasure. It softened fear, created moments of deep connection, and opened room for love in the midst of pain.
My mum passed away only a few months ago, so this is still a very fresh memory for me. I also know that Dignity Therapy can be emotionally demanding — sitting with love, grief, and mortality side by side is never easy. And yet, I am grateful beyond words that it was part of our journey together. It showed me, once again, how this approach can help us integrate life and death, turning even our hardest moments into something profoundly human and profoundly dignified.
Yalom’s perspective
The psychiatrist Irvin Yalom, in his book Staring at the Sun, writes that confronting our mortality can actually lessen our fear of death and help us live more authentically. Instead of avoiding the subject, he encourages us to face it — to look directly at the reality that our time is finite, and to let that awareness guide us into living more fully.
Dignity Therapy aligns beautifully with this perspective: it allows us to weave together the strands of our life story, honouring what has been and clarifying what is still important. Reflecting in this way often brings unexpected peace. It reminds us not only of the challenges we have faced, but also of the love we have given and received, the wisdom we have gained, and the meaning we have created.
What to expect in a Dignity Therapy session
A Dignity Therapy process is gentle, structured, and flexible to your needs. It usually involves:
- A conversation guided by questions: I will invite you to reflect on your life through open prompts, such as:
- What moments or achievements are you most proud of?
- What lessons would you like to pass on to others?
- Are there particular stories or memories you would like your loved ones to remember?
- A safe and compassionate space: You are always in control of what you choose to share. Some people focus on family stories, others on personal values, or even on moments of struggle and how they were overcome.
- A written legacy document: With your permission, your reflections can be shaped into a document — something tangible to keep, read back, or share with loved ones. Many find this to be one of the most meaningful outcomes of the process.
- Flexibility: Depending on your circumstances, sessions can be done in person or online, in one sitting or over several shorter meetings. The pace is yours to set.
For some, Dignity Therapy becomes a way of preparing for the end of life. For others, it is simply an opportunity to pause, reflect, and leave behind a record of love, wisdom, and meaning.
A compassionate invitation
Dignity Therapy is not only for those nearing the end of life. It can be a healing process for anyone who wishes to reflect on their journey and share their story. Whether you are facing illness, navigating a transition, or simply wanting to leave a gift of words for your loved ones, this approach can offer comfort, clarity, and connection.
If you are curious about Dignity Therapy — for yourself or for someone close to you — please feel free to reach out. It would be an honour to accompany you in creating a space of reflection, love, and dignity.
Home in Yourself- Wherever You Go 