The Shape of what We Carry: Metaphor-guided writing for Wellbeing (4th Edition)

A Summer School Poetry Therapy Workshop for Caring Professionals
When your work centres around supporting others, it can be easy to lose sight of yourself.

You spend your days listening, containing, encouraging, reassuring and caring. This gentle online workshop offers a rare opportunity to reverse the flow, creating space to pause, reflect and reconnect with the person behind the professional role.

Together we’ll explore the experience of caring for the caregiver through carefully chosen poetry, reflective writing, gentle experiential exercises and supportive conversation. Drawing on ideas from relational Gestalt psychotherapy and poetry therapy, we’ll gently consider what you offer so freely to others and what you, too, may be needing.

This is not a workshop about becoming a “better therapist” or “better carer”. It is an invitation to replenish yourself, nurture your own wellbeing and return, however briefly, to yourself.
Whether you’re a therapist, counsellor, social worker, teacher, nurse, coach, support worker or anyone in a caring role, you’ll be warmly welcomed.

During the workshop we’ll explore:

• Restorative poetry and shared reflection
• Creative journalling and expressive writing exercises
• The Gestalt concept of proflection and caring for the self through awareness
• Gentle mindfulness and guided reflection
• Practical ways to take your own needs seriously without guilt
No previous experience of poetry or creative writing is needed. This is not about writing “good” poems. It is simply about noticing, reflecting and giving yourself permission to be cared for, too.

Workshop details
Date: Sunday 30 August
Time: 2.30pm to 5.00pm (including a short break)
Location: Online via Zoom
Cost: £35

Before we begin
To help create a nurturing space, you’re invited to bring:
• Coloured pens and paper or a journal
• A favourite drink
• A candle (optional)
• Something comforting, perhaps a blanket, pet, cuddly toy or fidget item

Come exactly as you are. Just a gentle afternoon of poetry, reflection and returning to yourself.

Celebrate National Poetry Day (1 Oct 2026), with this interactive CPD workshop for therapists, counsellors, social workers and educators.

Curious about how poetry can deepen therapeutic work?

This engaging two-hour online workshop offers an introduction to the growing field of poetry therapy and therapeutic writing. Whether you’re completely new to the approach or already use journalling or creative exercises with clients, you’ll discover practical, relational ways of incorporating poetry into your work.

Together we’ll explore how carefully chosen poems, reflective writing and guided discussion can foster awareness, insight, self-compassion and meaningful therapeutic dialogue. You’ll also gain an overview of the different approaches to writing for wellbeing, including expressive writing, journalling, bibliotherapy and poetry therapy, and consider when and how these methods may be appropriate within clinical practice.

During the workshop you’ll:

Discover what poetry therapy is and how it differs from expressive writing and bibliotherapy.

Learn the core principles behind therapeutic writing and poetry therapy.

Explore the benefits of using poems in therapeutic settings.

Understand how to select poems with therapeutic value.

Experience a range of reflective writing exercises for yourself.

Consider how poetry might be integrated ethically and sensitively into one-to-one or group work.

Leave with practical ideas, recommended resources and renewed inspiration for your own practice.

This workshop is experiential rather than literary. No previous experience of reading or writing poetry is required, and you won’t be expected to share anything you’ve written unless you choose to. The emphasis is on curiosity, reflection and discovering another creative doorway into therapeutic practice.

Who is it for?

Counsellors

Psychotherapists

Social workers

Mental health professionals

Coaches

Educators

Students and trainees interested in creative therapeutic approaches

Facilitated by Leah Larwood MA, UKCP, CPT
Leah is a Relational Gestalt Psychotherapist, Certified Poetry Therapist and published poet. She specialises in integrating poetry, creativity and relational psychotherapy to support emotional growth, self-awareness and healing.

A writing for wellbeing space for the neurodivergent community, and open to all.

Spend two hours engaging in gentle writing prompts and journalling activities. I’ll also share a poem, piece of writing or image/photography in each session for us to explore.

The format:

The first hour includes a short introduction, a warm-up writing prompt, and a shared poem. We’ll explore our emotional responses to it rather than literary analysis.
After a short 5-minute break, the final 55 minutes will offer a range of journalling prompts, with space to write, reflect, and (if you wish) share and explore what’s arisen.
I’m hoping this will become a monthly group. This first session is a chance to begin and see what unfolds.

Two free spaces are available for unwaged individuals. Please email for details.

Come as you are…

• Keep your camera off if that feels more comfortable
• No expectation to share anything you write
• You’re free to step away or leave early if needed (prompts can be sent after)
• Take breaks whenever your body or attention needs them
• Come as you are – fidgeting, moving, doodling, lying down all welcome
• Gentle, flexible pacing (nothing timed too tightly)
• You can engage in your own way – writing, thinking, or simply being there