"I'm not a doctor, a therapist or even a counsellor, but writing has been my best therapy for over 30 years.  Almost every one of my poems that I perform or have published either deal with directly, or are tied to some form of trauma.  For me, I can see a direct correlation between the amount I'm writing and "where I'm at", mentally, emotionally, spiritually and even physically.  In the course of 1 year I lost my home, my health, my income, most of my belongings and both my parents.  I have a lot of writing to do.  So these workshops are as much for me as they are for anyone looking for a creative path to renewal.  I look forward to exploring these journey's through writing together."         

My Approach: The Power of Writing to Renew and Re-Author

The journey through grief and trauma is often one of feeling overwhelmed, fragmented, or silenced. These workshops are founded on the powerful, evidence-based belief that writing can be a profound tool for healing. It provides a structured path not just to process what has happened, but to actively reclaim your story.  This methodology is built on a blend of my own experiences and extensive research of leading, evidence-based therapeutic models:

1. The Science of Expressive Writing

We begin with the foundational work of Dr. James Pennebaker, which scientifically demonstrated the deep psychological and physical benefits of "expressive writing." This isn't just diary-keeping; it's a specific, contained practice of translating your deepest thoughts and feelings into language. Research shows this process of "cognitive reorganization" helps to:

• Organize chaotic memories and emotions.

• Reduce the stress of "holding back" difficult experiences.

• Enhance emotional processing and self-understanding.

2. The Power of Narrative Therapy

Processing the event is the first step. Rebuilding your identity is the next. For this, we draw from Narrative Therapy, a respectful, non-blaming approach developed by Michael White and David Epston.

This model understands that trauma and grief can create "problem-saturated stories" that define us by our pain (e.g., "I am a victim"). Our workshops help you to externalize the problem—"The person is not the problem, the problem is the problem."

From there, we work to "re-author" your story. We will guide you in finding the "unique outcomes"—the hidden moments of strength, resilience, and value that contradict the problem's narrative. This is not about fiction; it's about finding the whole story and weaving a new, more empowering identity.

3. A Safe, Staged Framework for Healing

This deep work must be done safely. These workshops are structured around the "Tri-Phasic Model" of trauma recovery, the gold standard in trauma treatment established by Dr. Judith Herman. This model ensures we meet you where you are:

• Stage 1: Safety & Stabilization: We first focus on building resources, self-regulation skills, and a safe group environment.

• Stage 2: Remembrance & Mourning: Only when you are ready, we use contained writing practices to safely process and integrate traumatic memories.

• Stage 3: Reconnection & Integration: We use narrative and creative techniques to help you redefine yourself, reconnect with a meaningful life, and integrate your experiences into a new, stronger sense of self.

We also use powerful tools like poetry, metaphor, and spoken word to give voice to experiences that are "unspeakable" or "difficult to articulate." These creative forms allow for somatic, embodied expression, helping to process feelings that live in the body as well as the mind.

In these workshops, you will learn to use writing as a tool for excavation, construction, and profound self-compassion. You will not just tell your story; you will learn to renew and shape it.

Click Here for full Research Report

This "Writing for Renewal" series is built on the "Tri-Phasic Model" of trauma recovery, and trying to fit even just one of those "Phases" into a single hour is next to impossible.  So these are one hour "tasting's" of each phase.  My suggestion would be to do all three in order as they are three parts of a whole.

This "Writing for Renewal" series is built on the "Tri-Phasic Model" of trauma recovery, and trying to fit even just one of those "Phases" into a single hour is next to impossible.  So these are one hour "tasting's" of each phase.  My suggestion would be to do all three in order as they are three parts of a whole.

The Tri-Phasic Healing Series: A Three-Part Journey

This series is a complete, three-part journey based on Judith Herman's evidence-based model of trauma recovery. Each half-day workshop is a distinct stage, building on the one before it.