The Creative Practitioner - expressive writing for wellbeing and therapeutic practice

Learning outcomes

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Understand the evidence-base for expressive and reflective writing in mental health and wellbeing contexts

• Experience a range of creative writing tools to support self-care, reflection, and professional sustainability

• Learn how narrative and creative expression can enhance therapeutic practice without replacing clinical approaches

• Gain adaptable, low-risk writing exercises suitable for individual or group client work

• Reflect on ethical, cultural, and trauma-informed considerations when using writing in practice

About the facilitator

Karen McKnight is Senior Workforce Development Facilitator at the Collaborative Centre. An award-winning writer, educator, and lived-experience workforce development practitioner, Karen has extensive experience facilitating therapeutic creative writing programs across mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and criminal justice settings.

For more information on this series, visit The Summer Series.