I initially discovered poetry therapy when I joined a poetry therapy group after the death of my younger brother. Having trained as a counsellor, and experienced many different approaches, I was amazed to experience the depth we reached using this way of working and to discover how powerful therapeutic writing can be. I was so inspired that I embarked on an MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes which I successfully completed in 2021.Training to become a Poetry Therapy Practitioner seemed a natural progression.

I have worked for many years as a counsellor, trainer and group facilitator and I am excited to be having this new adventure in my sixties.

My personal development is important to me; I have regular therapy and supervision and I am committed to learning both for my own benefit and to enable me to work more effectively with others.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Poetry Therapy Practitioner in Training
• MSc Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes 2021
• Certificate in Person Centred Expressive Therapy 2015
• Ecotherapy Training 2013
• Certificate in Groupwork, The Gestalt Centre 2009
• Certificate in Training Practice 2005
• Co-Active Coach, Coaches Training Institute 2003
• Diploma in Person Centred Counselling 1993
• Advanced Diplomas in Gestalt Therapy 1991
• Certificate in the Qualification of Social Work CQSW 1983
• SRN 1977

SPECIAL INTERESTS

• Working with writing and nature, out of doors when possible
• Using writing for wellbeing with those in caring roles, to help the development of resilience and self-care. It has taken me many years to learn the importance of this for myself!
• Ageing
• Loss and bereavement

CONTACT DETAILS

Email: suevcarter73@gmail.com

I discovered the therapeutic benefits of writing a few years ago, feeling burnt out with my own writing practice after years of working on creative writing projects in academia. Driven by a sense of curiosity my approach to writing was turned on its head as my focus shifted away from writing as a route to publication, bound up with deadlines, word counts and crippling self-criticism. Instead, I began to spend time with the writing process itself and came to see the very act of writing as something very powerful: a tool for self-discovery; for reflection and exploration; for self-healing and wellbeing.

I devise and deliver writing workshops with diverse audiences and have worked with people living with mental health challenges, people living with childlessness, carers and women at menopause. My practice aims to unlock creativity in a gentle way and spark imagination. It is mindfulness-based, drawing on present moment awareness, self-compassion and playfulness.

I bring to my practice a wealth of experience working with stories and storytelling in different contexts. I spent two decades working in heritage interpretation & education, in historic houses and archives. I have taught English and creative writing in secondary schools, tertiary and higher education and tutored in adult learning. I hold an enhanced DBS certificate.

My academic research considers the wellbeing benefits of creative narrative practices. I am currently co-authoring a publication about creative writing and health for Emerald Press. I continue to develop my own creativity as a writer of fiction and experimental poetry. Member of the National Association of Writers in Education

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Poetry Therapy Practitioner in Training
• PhD Creative Writing
• Postgraduate Certificate Mindfulness Studies
• Postgraduate Certificate Professional Research Skills
• Introduction to Therapeutic & Reflective Writing
• MA Heritage & Identity
• Postgraduate Certificate Creative Writing
• Postgraduate Certificate Film & Television Studies
• BA (Hons) Drama and English

SPECIAL INTERESTS

• Playing on the page
• Female midlife and menopause, archetypes and historical narratives
• Oral history and storytelling
• Autoethnography
• Secular mindfulness
• Memory in storytelling

CONTACT DETAILS

Email:drhlfoster@outlook.com

Website:www.helenlouisefoster.com

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Poetry Therapy Practitioner in training

• BA Hons Humanities Combined (English with Theatre Studies)

• PGCE (Primary)
• MA Creative Writing

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Grief and loss
Writing for wellbeing for writers

CONTACT DETAILS

Email: gallagherclare@hotmail.com

I am a BACP Accredited Integrative Counsellor/Psychotherapist with fifteen years of experience in the field. ‘Integrative’ basically means that I work flexibly and creatively with each unique client, utilising different therapeutic methods to enable people to develop self-awareness, self-understanding and explore ways in which to live a meaningful life. Poetry therapy is one of the most wonderful ways in which to do this, connecting us to our truths and to ourselves in ways that can be both healing and transformative. Poetry hashelped me to know myself, love myself and find a place in the world; I am training to be a Poetry Therapist to help my clients to do the same.

I am also experienced in running groups, having been a teacher, lecturer and group facilitator over the last twenty years. In more recent times, I have held ‘Poetry Pharmacies’ and now facilitate therapeutic creative writing groups in South Yorkshire and via Zoom. I love the depth of connection that can be found in groups (connection with others but also with self) and find it to be such an immense privilege to be the one providing the space in which this magic happens!

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Poetry Therapy Practitioner in Training
• Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling
• Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Diploma in Online Counselling
• MSc Psychotherapy Studies
• BA (Hons) Philosophy
• PGC (Level 7) Clinical Supervision
• Short CPD courses on Mindfulness, EcoPsychology, Existential Therapy and Creative Therapeutic methods

SPECIAL INTERESTS

• Therapeutic creative writing for well-being
• Creative therapeutic methods (including working outdoors)
• The role of philosophy (which includes ‘spirituality’) in well-being

CONTACT DETAILS

Available here: www.wordsforwellness.co.uk

I wrote – constantly – and I still write, though my life has been fractured by personal tragedy and I write less than before, and more slowly. I have always been interested in the link between poetry and medicine. I know from my own experience that there are times when there is nothing, really nothing, but poetry. I facilitate a weekly poetry group at Mind in Birkenhead, and we have produced a book of poems and hope to do another. I am working on my own poems, when I can, and reading, all the time, particularly, at the moment, John Burnside’s latest Still Life with Feeding Snake and Alice Oswald’s Falling Up.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Poetry Therapy Practitioner
• BA Eng Lit Trinity College Washington DC 1968
• MA Poetry University of Huddersfield 1998
• PhD Creative Writing Liverpool John Moores 2007

CONTACT DETAILS

Email: littletower@hotmail.co.uk

I came to writing for wellbeing through my own therapy. I was struggling to find the right words with my therapist and started journaling. I had written off and on over the years but this time I gave myself permission to trust the pen to write what it needed to write. I found a power in using my own words to reflect my experience and to help heal.

Seamus Heaney encourages us with “If you have the words, there is always the chance you will find your way”

I aim to bring a calm, nurturing and compassionate presence to the groups I facilitate. The writing is to connect with yourself and connect with others. I hold the space with a tender hand to enable this.

I live on a small island off the coast of Cornwall so most of my work is done via Zoom. I also work part time for Learn Scilly (adult education).

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Poetry Therapy Practitioner in Training
• Introduction to Counselling (60 hours) Metanoia
• Therapeutic and Reflective Writing with the Professional Writing Academy
• Level 4 PTTLS qualification to teach in adult education
• Post graduate diploma in Careers Guidance
• BSc Physics
• Member of Lapidus

SPECIAL INTERESTS

• Nature as a metaphor and mirror. In it, we often find what we seek
• Working with parts of ourselves e.g., a wise self or a playful inner child
• Working with people new to writing and those who are shy, nervous or put off by classroom experiences
• Links between the mind, body, emotions and spirit including mindfulness and Buddhism

CONTACT DETAILS

Website: www.trishpeacock.co.uk

Email: trishpeacock.writing@gmail.com

Instagram: trishpeacock_writing

I began offering Words for Wellbeing workshops in 2010. With a background in Counselling and a love of stories and poetry, combining the two felt like the most natural route for me to follow.  I offer an on-going workshop series called Poetry In Motion in Aberdeenshire and run Expressive Writing Groups at Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre in Aberdeen.  I also have an art practise which I combine with my writing to further extend the variety of workshops I offer.  I collaborate with other artists and wellbeing facilitators for one-off projects, wellbeing days and retreat weekends.  I also facilitate labyrinth walk events as a further wellbeing practice.I was Writer-in-Residence in The Wild Garden at The Barn in Banchory, Aberdeenshire throughout 2017. As lead artist for the community-wide Flourish project I was responsible for designing and facilitating workshops that connected being in nature with writing for wellbeing. Further details of this project and workshops can be found on my website page “The Flourish Project”.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Poetry Therapy Practitioner
• BA (Hons) History & International Relations
• HNC in Counselling
• CBCS Specialist Module in Bereavement & Loss
• Accredited Labyrinth Facilitator

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Found Poetry & Erasure Poetry
Working within Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre, Aberdeen
Collaborative projects with other artists combining art and writing
Combining labyrinth walking with writing

CONTACT DETAILS

Email: elainereidwriting@btinternet.com
Website: www.elainereidwriting.co.uk

My work in education spans 25 years, teaching and learning in different settings in UK, Mauritius, Romania, and Mexico. This journey has brought me to my current role as senior lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). Writing has always been central to my work, and I am interested in the different personal stories that influence how and what we write.

Since 2016 I have led workshops in expressive writing for personal and professional development with community groups and with educators and students in schools and in higher education contexts.During the process of training as a PTP I have sought ways of incorporating the principles and practice of poetry therapy into the work that I do as lecturer and researcher at University.

My current plans include a research paper stemming from a series of ‘writing for wellbeing’ workshops with undergraduate students.I would love to hear from you if you are interested in this work or would like to collaborate on any research-based projects

https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/staff-profiles/faculty-of-arts-professional-and-social-studies/school-of-education/anne-marie-smith

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Poetry Therapy Practitioner
• PhD Sociology of Childhood
• MA Latin American Studies
• PGCE (French and Spanish)
• BA (Hons) Applied Language Studies (French and Spanish)

SPECIAL INTERESTS

• Expressive writing for personal and professional development in Education
• Cultural understandings of childhood
• Autoethnographic and Reflective writing
• Languages (French, Creole and Spanish)

CONTACT DETAILS

Email: amsmith1@outlook.com

Observing and being ‘outside’ in many senses is my privilege and characteristic, living in France, Italy, Belgium, Holland. Shifting cultures and languages, learning all the time, I now relish a kind of home-coming to England. Writing poetry since my teens, I had the joy of sharing my love of language for more than twenty years of teaching, including over a decade of English literature post-sixteen.

Currently completing my Person-Centred MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy, I am delighted to find my path to Poetry Therapy Practitioner training, alongside working with bereavement for Cruse.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Poetry Therapy Practitioner in Training
• Graduate Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy
• MA Creative Writing – Distinction
• French Agregation
• QTS
• MPhil Social Anthropology
• BA (Hons) Art History with Italian – First Class

SPECIAL INTERESTS

• Writing and spiritual/personal development
• Motherhood/Parenting
• Nature/ecotherapy writing
• Grief and Loss

CONTACT DETAILS

Email: saskia2002@gmail.com

As a Master Mentor for The International Academy for Poetry Therapy (iaPOETRY), it is my pleasure to be working with a broad range of enthusiastic and talented professionals who are committed to obtaining their credential as a Poetry Therapy Practitioner.  I encourage all those who train with me to integrate their own specialisms and interests into their poetry therapy practice, and have worked with trainees who, for example, have incorporated dance, mindfulness and ceramics this way. I provide workshops and courses, and online courses, relevant to those in training as well as to all who are interested in writing for wellbeing. I have regular peer group meetings where those in training are able to facilitate and share thoughts their and ideas. As a Master Mentor I am qualified to train those wish to become Mentors for iaPOETRY.

I am founder of “Out of the Blue Writing”, based in Snowdonia, North Wales, where I facilitate writing groups and work with individuals. I have developed a branch of my work called “Treading Softly” which combines walking and writing in the natural landscape. I also provide a variety of online courses, including “Open Space” which specialises in one to one online, client-centred work. I am an Executive Director of The International Academy for Poetry Therapy (iaPOETRY), and work as a Master/Mentor for the organisation. I have received awards and scholarships from Wales Arts International and NAPT (National Association for Poetry Therapy) for pioneering work in the field of poetry therapy, as well as scholarships from BridgXngs Poetry Center, NYC.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Poetry Therapy Practitioner
• iaPOETRY Master/Mentor
• Certified Applied Poetry Facilitator
• BA (Hons) English Literature
• PGCE

SPECIAL INTERESTS

• Therapeutic Writing in the Natural Environment
• Nature as Medicine/Medicine Wheel/Animal Cards
• Ecotherapy
• Ekphrastic Writing

CONTACT DETAILS

Email: jillteague@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.jill-teague.blogspot.com

LOCATION

Northern Ireland and online

I am a Poetry Therapy Practitioner with iaPOETRY.  My practice in Poetry Therapy brings together my experience as an educator, researcher, counsellor and creative writing facilitator, in community, educational and mental health settings. I am a published poet, and have written many journal articles on creativity and creative writing. Research publications include the impact of arts programmes for people involved in the criminal justice system. I have a special interest in the capacity of the arts to enable intercultural communication and challenge discrimination. In 2015, I was Artist in the Community in Northern Ireland (Arts Council NI Award), with an intercultural creative writing project, A Write to a Sense of Belonging.

I work with individuals and groups. Since the start of the COVID19 period in March 2020,  I have been facilitating online writing courses for wellbeing.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Poetry Therapy Practitioner
• Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling
• BA (Hons) English Literature
• MA (English Literature)
• M Ed (Adult Education)
• Higher Diploma in Education
• PhD

SPECIAL INTERESTS

• Creativity
• Research
• Ekphrasis
• Reminiscence
• Writers with sight loss
• Poetry in schools

CONTACT DETAILS

Email: shelleyztracey@gmail.com
Website: https://shelleytracey.co.uk/