Every person is a writer.
Pat Schneider
The Philosophy of Amherst Writers & Artists
AWA believes that “every person is a writer, and every writer deserves a safe environment in which to experiment”.
This affirmation was taught by AWA Founder, Pat Schneider, in her book, “Writing Alone and With Others”. Pat had helped marginalized women to write and to become independent. Some of the women whom she had taught in prisons later became graduates and held important posts in society.
I am trained to facilitate writing workshops from several schools in the United States. One of these is the Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA).
The other school is Kathleen (Kay) Adams’ The Center for Journal Therapy.
Journal to the Self® (JTTS)
I am also a Certified Journal to the Self® instructor.
The Journal to the Self® program teaches the art of journal writing for personal growth, creative expression and life enrichment. JTTS offers journaling tools that you could use immediately.
It was created in 1985 by Kathleen Adams, Director of the Center for Journal Therapy, Inc. Kathleen is an internationally known pioneer and expert in the power of writing to heal.
Besides getting certified from the above schools, I have also taken several online courses about journaling and writing to heal.
I ran several writing workshops for the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Singapore. I was also invited by the National Library Board (NLB) to run a writing workshop during one of their Read Fest events.
More recently, I incorporated Zentangle® with writing. I used Zentangle as a gateway for participants to settle into calmness and focus before the writing process. This, I believe, is a first in Singapore – art and writing all in one session.
Writing Clinic
I believe that a writing-to-heal program could be used in tandem with counseling. Counselors could be better informed if their counselee shares the contents of their journal writing. Sometimes, I think it is not the counselee’s fault that they do not bring up the contents of their writing because they may not even be aware that the feelings and emotions that welled up in their journal are stepping stones towards knowing self. Often, people are unaware that they compartmentalize themselves into little boxes.
I would like to work alongside Counselors, Psychotherapists and mental health specialists to create crafted exercises to their counselees. I am happy to discuss possibilities with counselors and counselees in this aspect of healing.
Writing workshops in the pipeline
Do keep a lookout for my writing, Zentangle® and NeuroArt workshops. I am also available to run workshops for small groups. No prior writing or drawing experience is required. Contact me to discuss your requirements and objectives.