The September Issue

Creative Words for Wellbeing

Sally Givertz

This complementary therapy uses creative writing and creative thinking to help you to gain a stronger sense of identity and direction in your life.

HOW?

Through discussion of poems and prose, objects and pictures (chosen to suit your agenda) you can begin to see things differently, make new connections and enjoy freedom of expression.  This often leads to a renewed feeling of energy and excitement about life’s possibilities.

No great literary skills are needed and spelling and grammar aren’t important. But expressing yourself on paper is; the written word gives us time to think.

Speech is swift and rarely consciously considered. Writing can be considered, revised and sourced from a deeper level of the mind.

Typically writers will say:

“I don’t know where that came from.”

“I didn’t know I felt like that.”

  

In a session we will discuss writing, objects and pictures that are relevant to you.  We will choose these together but to start with I can give you plenty to work with.   Much of your own writing will probably be done between sessions once we have generated ideas between us. 

Ideally a session gives you time and space in which to think and to be yourself.

Creativity is an enjoyable and liberating process and although we don’t avoid the dark side of life we also focus on the light.   The skills you learn can be used between sessions and long afterwards.

  

A word about poetry

Those of us who work with poetry believe it can be a powerful and relevant force.  Both the reading and writing of poetry are creative acts and therefore transformational. It can help us to choose clarity over confusion and feel more powerful and focused.  It can offer us a fresh approach and new insights.  Poetry is a force to be reckoned with. 

“..the imaginative transformation of human life is the means by which we can most truly grasp and comprehend it”

Seamus Heaney - The Redress of Poetry

from Lies

 Jo Shapcott

 In reality, sheep are brave, enlightened

 and sassy. They are walking clouds

 and like clouds have forgotten

 how to jump. As lambs they knew.

 A

fter some years of running groups I am now focusing on working more with individuals.

I am a writer and complementary therapist working with creative writing and creative thinking to improve wellbeing.

For the past few years I have managed the springboard project for Ledbury Poetry Festival’s community programme; have had a long working association with Herefordshire Mind, Breast Cancer Haven in Hereford, and many other working partnerships.

I am a member of Lapidus, Arts and Health South West and The Poetry Society.

I practise at:

The Haven, 37 St Owen Street, Hereford, HR1 2JB

and

35 The Gresleys, Ross on Wye, HR9 5JN

Hourly rates - £35 Hereford   £30 Ross on Wye

Please get in touch if you'd like to know more. t 01989 563370  m.07779 083510

At the ancient pond

a frog plunges into

the sound of water

Basho (1644-1694)

(translator -  Sam Hamill)