Healing Generational Trauma through Writing & SoulCollage® - IN-PERSON

"If trauma can be passed down through generations, then so can healing." ~Author unknown

Some of us feel the effects of not only our trauma but the trauma in our families. When we bring conscious awareness to knowing and feeling that a family system experiences the trauma of individuals in the family, we can start to move through the effects. Through writing and SoulCollage®, we will explore the ways we have each been impacted and give a creative expression to that. Through the expression of these experiences, we transform their impact on us and generations that follow.

A Four-Part Series: Sundays, Oct 23 & 30, Nov 6 & 13 from 10am-1:30pm In-Person at Women Writing for (a) Change.

Session 1 on Oct 23: Connection to Ancestors and Trauma

What is generational trauma? Through writing, we will explore what it is in the big picture and for you personally.

Session 2 on Oct 30:  SoulCollage® with Ancestors and Trauma

In this session, we will deepen our exploration of our and our family’s history and the impact of trauma experienced. We will use art to help us move some of our experiences from an implicit experience to explicit, thereby enabling a path to healing.

Session 3 on Nov 6:  Connection and Writing for Healing

What is our place in this lineage? How do we heal? Let’s explore the components of healing and how we use writing and art to interrupt generational trauma.

Session 4 on Nov 13:  Healing with SoulCollage®

Let’s celebrate learning and healing! During this SoulCollage® session, we will reflect and celebrate what we have learned and our hopes and plans for moving forward.

We offer this series as a collaboration between Rooted Compassion Counseling and Consulting and Women Writing for (a) Change.

COVID-19 Protocols: All attendees must provide proof of vaccination. Please email a photo of your vaccination card to vaccines@womenwriting.org. Your vaccination status will be kept confidential on file with the office. Please note that if you have already provided your proof of vaccination in order to attend a previous class or event with Women Writing for (a) Change, you do not need to send it again. In addition, masks are optional and will be available at class.

As a SoulCollage^® Facilitator, Amy guides participants in the process of creating intuitive visual cards that represent different parts of us and people who have influenced our lives. In creating the cards, we learn more about our lives, ourselves, and our purpose. It is fun, relaxing, and uplifting. No previous experience in SoulCollage®, art, or writing needed. SoulCollage® making supplies will be provided. Bring your journal and pen.

SoulCollage^® is a creative collage process for:

• Self-discovery, self-acceptance, and personal empowerment.
• Embracing one’s intuition and unique creativity.
• Promoting inclusive, diverse, cooperative community for mutual encouragement.

Writing Circle

Reflective writing, what some may call journaling, can be therapeutic; research during times of transition; healing; and a way to discover things about ourselves we did not know. As much as healing and recovery happens in relationship to others, there is benefit to exploring our thoughts and feelings independently.

Writing gives us the opportunity to express ourselves, deciding later what is shared and when. Writing is a place to meet ourselves without the influence of others, without wanting to say the “right thing” to please or connect to another. Many people find they can write what they can’t say.

Amy Sullivan: As a facilitator of writing circles, Amy brings a love of writing as well as knowledge and experience in guiding others to write for self-discovery and healing. Amy is a 2019 graduate of the Conscious Feminine Leadership Academy offered by Women Writing for (a) Change, where she developed skills to facilitate writing circles and brings these skills and this knowledge to the counseling process. Amy believes writing does not have to be grammatically correct with proper spelling or even legible. Amy knows, through personal experience, that writing can be healing, illuminating and incredibly helpful. SoulCollage® is a love of Amy’s and sharing that experience to enhance healing is a passion.

(Image by Jr Kopa via Unsplash)