Writing for Wellbeing
When the other person is hurting, confused, troubled, anxious, alienated, terrified; or when he or she is doubtful of self-worth, uncertain as to identity—then understanding is called for. The gentle and sensitive companionship offered by an empathic person… provides illumination and healing. In such situations deep understanding is, I believe, the most precious gift one can give to another.
Carl Rogers
As a counsellor with over twenty two years experience, a trainer, I have facilitated writing for wellbeing wiorkshops and courses. I am also a long time mindfulness practitioner and have combined mindfulness practices with writing exercises in workshops.
I have had my own experiences of mental health struggles, living with autistic family members, and long term recovery from trauma, so I have some understanding of how writing can be part of a recovery process, or part of the process of staying well and feeling fully alive.
I have worked in sexual violence services, and with people living with long-term conditions, so I understand how creativity can empower people to discover how to live well in difficult circumstances.
I can offer writing for wellbeing workshops on any issue, with people who have no previous experience of writing. In these workshops I would offer exercises and poems to share, but would also be led by the participants own interests and experiences.
Poetry is perhaps what teaches us to nurture the charming illusion: how to be reborn out of ourselves over and over again, and use words to construct a better world, a fictitious world that enables us to sign a pact for a permanent and comprehensive peace . . . with life.”
Mahmoud Darwish