The Transformational Power of Expressive Writing

In this paper we write about our collaboration setting up and running expressive writing groups, which became workshops, in a Child Adolescent Mental Health service National Service London. Thivvia was psychiatry core trainee on placement Dawn the lone family therapist. The idea for group arose during lockdown when were office, chance corridor conversation, discovered shared love of journalling poetry. related to narrative therapy ideas, resonated well with Thivvia’s cultural storytelling traditions. Creativity sparked between us together able navigate power structures evidence base discourses get management permission do this. drew her knowledge poetry create prompts facilitate others creatively as form self-expression. writing, We poetic style congruent expression being developed workshops. practice decolonising intent, differentiating voices, so that separate nuances can come through resistance dominant white western academic co-writing practices seeking consensus, drown out alternative ways knowing. reflects decolonial stance she actively adopts support instinctive knowing had been suppressed by medical training. reflect experience throughout, include some poems created conclude encouraging be bold bringing creative practices, offering suggestions use encourage writing.