Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes
I have a Diploma in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes from the University of Bristol.
I write personally, and I know that I feel better when I write. I aim to write about the different areas of my life, work, studies, relationships and so on and use different ways of expressing myself - journaling, mind maps, poetry and flow writing for example.
I run workshops and have worked with individuals, couples and groups. I know that the benefits creative writing brings are very real and it can help people experiencing confidence or emotional difficulties enormously. Writing is perceived as a solitary activity, but in a group there can be a very supportive framework for sharing and belonging.
The benefits of creative writing are that it can help people explore a range of issues in different ways - creatively, imaginatively, playfully, it can raise self awareness and self knowledge leading to greater confidence. Participants can also develop a greater understanding of their strengths. Writing in a group can be very powerful as it leads to a sharing which can create strong bonds, a team spirit, ethos, purpose and focus.
I believe that writing can be a great help to everyone feeling the stresses and pressures of life today, and can be an oasis in our busy lives.
Feedback from clients:
- Being led by someone who has experience in this painful field instantly made a trusting connection possible
- Meeting other people in my situation was overwhelmingly positive
- The creative writing group was a great experience. I've never done this before and found it enormously liberating
- Protective environment with very gentle approach to expressing feelings by writing
- The friendly, open approach and feeling included from the start
- Clear boundaries, good pace, well judged interventions, a good variety of activities
- Very accessible and relevant
- Good to evaluate how you cope with stress
- Felt could take risks, felt part of group and valued
- Presentation excellent - good modelling and sharing
- Good content - very relevant in terms of personal and professional capacity.
- Excellent - felt extremely safe - extremely supportive atmosphere/ethos quickly developed.
- Really enjoyed it - will use ideas for self, work, family and friends.
- Inclusive, careful and respectful approach - safe space created & very engaging
© 2008 Eddie Smith | Design by Andreas Viklund