Approximately 70-80% of the world’s population will experience trauma at some point in their lives.

After experiencing trauma - something that happened that left us profoundly changed and unable to use our usual coping strategies - we can be left feeling powerless and disconnected to our self.

Research shows that these experiences can shut down the parts of our brain we use to put words to our experiences and understand what has happened to us. It also shows that to recover we may need space to piece together and make sense of our story, and have safe companionship in the process.

This programme uses a trauma-informed methodology to support you to begin to find those words and to reconnect with yourself through writing. It includes key knowledge about trauma, guided writing exercises, as well as tools and resources to help you find out what you need to create a sustainable and healing writing practice in the longer-term.

Over the eight week course (see What happens in the sessions? below) you will learn about writing both as a craft and as a process and receive guidance to write about your topic, and have control over your story, at your own pace.

The Foundation Programme is delivered over 8 weeks and each session lasts for 2 hours

Please see details of online groups (max. 12 writers) here (dates for February & May 2026)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1972659126550?aff=oddtdtcreator

The next in-person group will be March-April 2026 in Brighton. All courses include high-quality workbook materials.

Cost of in-person course (including refreshments)

£275/early bird £250

Foundation Programme; 8 week course

I've always written as a way to express myself and because it helps me try to put order to, and make sense of, difficult things. Since training as an arts therapist fifteen years ago, I've studied and added writing to my therapeutic toolbox. I wanted to find a tried and tested trauma-informed approach, grounded in research, to be able to offer groups. I found it in Write Your Self and am now a certified guide offering an inclusive, supportive place for those who want to explore their story.

Trauma sensitive writing courses

What happens in the sessions?

Week 1. Making space We will consider what you need to create a safe and supportive place to write and what might get in the way.

Week 2. Begin writing We start to listen to ourselves more deeply, and through gentle, guided exercises, begin to write.

Week 3. Looking after yourself We focus on what you can do to keep yourself safe when writing and create a sustainable practice in the process.

Week 4. The writing body We consider how our body and mind is interlinked. We try out exercises to unlock and work with stories that are already stored inside, a place that is uniquely your own.

Week 5. Exploring forms We explore different writing genres and the potential therapeutic and equal healing power of both fiction and memoir.

Week 6. Finding your story You will gather the topics, ideas or events that you might wish to explore in writing, even if you're not sure how you will yet, or if the parts still feel fragmented.

Week 7. Creating wholeness - You will begin the process of meaning-making in your work, and reflect on your progress, thinking about next steps and ways to bring your thoughts together.

Week 8. Expressing the wordless - We will bring your writing to a close, celebrate the group's learning and its community of peers and set intentions for our future writing selves.

FAQs

Do I have to write about or share my traumatic experience?

Participants will come to sessions with their own self-defined trauma. There is no expectation to speak or write directly about trauma or to share what you have written; you will choose what you want to write about and at your pace.

Do I have to share my writing with the group?

It can be powerful to be heard or to speak, but listening in the group is equally valued and there is no expectation to participate more than you feel comfortable to.

Is it group therapy?

I am a qualified therapist, however, the course is not a replacement for therapy and is intended to work alongside other treatments. The focus of the group is on learning and writing, and so you are responsible for your own self-care. We will consider how you will do this and set this up from the beginning. If you currently feel overwhelmed by your situation or have recently experience a traumatic event, please consider seeking professional support before joining a group.

Kate goes above and beyond to individually support each person. I was made to feel safe and protected.

Group participant