THE TRANSFORMATIVE CREATIVE
WRITING GROUP (v2.0)
 

Come connect with others who understand, share powerful narratives, and grow with support of a big-hearted community!  Since it's inception in 2013, The Transformative Creative Writing Group (TCWG) has helped individuals generate a stronger creative approach to their craft and their lives.

What is it ?:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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In a nutshell:
Reading and sharing written experiences connects us with the greater tapestry of human narratives. We then better understand how to meet our challenges and aspirations, individually and communally.

The Science behind it:
A popular maxim among trauma specialists is “if it’s mentionable, then it’s manageable.” Why?  Because naming is taming.  When the brain names experiences a growing sense of control emerges. And control brings relief over buried anxieties.  Increasingly freed, your perspectives can grow broader and brighter through this extended playing with challenging experiences. Or for the more geeky-minded: the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala fire at the same time - which causes them to sync. Rinse-repeat, and you are gradually on the path to self-actualization too.  You will heal, overcome, grow, and flourish.

Questions we'll answer:

• What nuances of well-worded content are potent for you? Why?

• How can we engage with patterns of such resonant wording?

• If desired - can we dedicate time for writing? 

• Writing about mild-to-moderate traumas - there is no wrong way.

• Where does that take us? What feels unearthed? 

• Areas of challenge & growth addressed:
  - Life transitions and role changes
  - Identity and belonging (cultural & psychosocial)
  - Interpersonal patterns 
  - Troubled moods, thoughts, expression and regulation
  - Attachment and trust issues
  - Managing addictions
  - Shame and self-criticism
  - Sparking meaningful joy/deep creative domains of self.
   

Group Agreements

• Bring core 3 core goals

• Commit to working toward these goals, knowing that will mean phases of struggle.

• What is said in the group stays in the group.

• Avoid cliques - we are not in high school.  

• Everyone should accept time to be seen and understood in the group. 

• Everyone should also allow time for others to be seen and heard. 

• It is okay to be in a bad mood and incapable of great vulnerability and benevolence, so long as meanness is not a pattern.

• Work to stay curious.

 

Group Structure

• Gatherings usually open with 5-10 minutes of warm catching up. Next, members share content (of at least 3 to 5 sentences length) and explore how the experience of reading & sharing feels to them. ​

• Next, peers are invited to ask questions and share their impressions of the content.

• Special attention is given to how an author channeled their experience via prose or poetry such that they coped or experienced beautiful growth. Sometimes that author is you. Sometimes not. Oftentimes, the moderator will provide heaps of pieces to peruse.

• At times, gatherings will be crafted entirely to focus upon one individual's needs. (Eg: to help with a major life event.)  This is generally infrequent, but extremely powerful to have available. 

• Actual serious literary critiquing of work is a distantly secondary focus and will only be given if the author specifically requests it.  When it is given, it must be couched constructively.    

TIMES/FREQUENCY:

Ideally, we meet weekly so members don’t wait months for their turns at exploring their chosen content. But we understand weekly isn’t always feasible.
Meetings will start over Zoom, but meeting in person is certainly encouraged over time! The group does not have an end date.
Strongest preferences - Monday, Tuesday or Thursday evenings - starting at 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, but not later than 8pm. Ending at 9:30 is generally healthy for winding down. I’m flexible outside of this too; it just gets challenging.

 

FEES & CONTACT:
 

• Yes, you can use your insurance!

• Groups are $75 per session, charged weekly.  Some accommodations can be made if there is a true need.  I can also give a receipt for out of network (OON) reimbursement if the client wishes to try that.

• Contact: Matt Smith, LCPC  MJSmithTherapy@Gmail.com 312-804-3451

• REGISTRATION LINK ... https://forms.gle/RVFge3ctYndHn4Lf8