An Introduction to Therapeutic Writing

You will experience for yourself how therapeutic writing can lead to insight, change and development and this will form the basis for learning about the theory and application of techniques in a variety of settings.

The course will include sessions on:

* Working with different client groups and different situations
* Group facilitation skills
* Narrative approaches
* Use of metaphor
* Reflective writing for professionals
* Developing and choosing materials
* Ethical considerations
* Next steps - using therapeutic writing professionally, career possibilities


The following are just some of the professional groups who have an interest in therapeutic writing: medical and healthcare professionals, counsellors, therapists of all kinds, social workers, librarians, academics, teachers, service providers and, of course, writers.

This area of work is cross-disciplinary and no previous writing experience is necessary, only a willingness to participate. However, the week will be highly generative and more experienced writers will come away with a substantial collection of draft material including fiction, poems and memoir.

The course is also open to people with a personal interest in therapeutic writing.

The sessions will be experiential, with participants trying techniques for themselves and then using them as the basis for discussion. There will be a variety of teaching and learning methods, including working individually, in small groups and as a whole class.

In addition, a guest lecturer will present a session on employment opportunities and current trends in NHS commissioning.