Why Our Stories Matter

Our stories are important—whether they've been told, are untold, or lack the words to be expressed yet.

The Write Your Self Program

The Write Your Self program uses a trauma-informed writing approach to help participants reclaim their voice. This eight-step process includes:

*Key knowledge about trauma

*Trauma-sensitive writing exercises

*Tools and resources for creating a sustainable and healing writing practice

Is This Course for Me?

In short, yes. You don't need to consider yourself a writer to join the program; all that's required is an interest in using creative writing as a therapeutic tool for your wellbeing. While the program is designed for trauma survivors, you don't need to identify as one to participate. We believe that trauma is a personal experience, and what may be traumatic for one person might not be for another. This program also helps address a variety of silencing experiences, such as grief, serious illness, war, discrimination, and bullying. It is required that you attend the foundation programme before this advanced programme.

In the foundation course the writer got help to start writing and to create a sustainable foundation for continued writing. The purpose with this advanced course is to:

• Help the writer to explore more of their story

• Have the option to receive feedback and get the opportunity to be more witnessed in their story or writing topics

• By discussions in the group get the opportunity to further explore their own writing process and how the writer need to write for it to be sustainable.

What does the course involve?

Here is a brief breakdown of the modules that we is generally covered on the Advanced Programme.* All sessions are 2 hours long.

Session 1: Scenes and Summaries

Understand how we can choose scenes, zoom in or out, and move between scenes/events.

Session 2: Environment Description

Exploring the different ways we can describe the environment.

Session 3: Person Description

Exploring the different ways we can describe a person(s)

Session 4: Research and timelines

How to get an overview of your story as a whole, and the self-care that might be needed.

Session 5: Conclusion

How does it feel to write? And for your writing to be read?

*Please note that each certified Write Your Self guide will deliver the course slightly differently and will have made their own adaptations.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I have to write about trauma during the course?

Absolutely not. You decide what your writing subjects will be, always. Many participants choose not to write about the trauma they’ve experienced, at least to begin with.

How many places are available?

This programme offers a maximum of 12 places. Groups are closed and kept relatively small to ensure a quality learning experience for all participants, where everyone receives adequate space and time to develop their writing practice.

Will I be expected to share my writing with others?

No, there is absolutely no expectation for you to read aloud or share anything about the content of your writing, however the advanced course does offer this opportunity. The programme is built upon and incorporates trauma-informed principles at all times – this means that you alone will decide your level of participation. All contributions have value, even if that’s listening.

Is this course considered a treatment for trauma?

This programme is not a substitute or replacement for any type of counselling, psychotherapy, mental health care or clinical trauma treatment. It is, however, intended to work in tandem with those treatments. Though I am a therapist, when I deliver the programme I offer an educational space, not group therapy. Here, our focus is writing. Throughout the programme you are responsible for your own self-care. If you are struggling with your mental health, feeling overwhelmed, or have very recently experienced a traumatic event, please consider seeking professional support before enrolling.

What you’ll receive as part of the course fee: two hours of live learning each week with a group of peers and workbooks that run alongside the live sessions, which can be completed digitally or printed out.

You will receive writing prompts to try out between sessions to deepen your practice and to maintain momentum with your writing and a recommended reading list, as well as links to other useful resources, e.g. articles, videos and podcasts. These are optional to follow. There will be a fixed space each week dedicated to your personal and professional development as you attend the course. We hope this will support you to develop a sustainable writing practice that you can continue to use in the future to support your wellbeing.

Sessions are 2 hours long and this course runs for 5 sessions at a total cost of £150. Payment plans may be available.