When our world is turned upside down by a trauma or life crisis we are often blindsided and wonder how on earth we will ever get through it. Whether it is the death of a child, diagnosis of a life-threatening illness, natural disaster, chronic illness, financial loss, job loss, a tragic accident, sudden disability, divorce, or any other intense loss we have the opportunity to create a new life story, a growth story that takes us beyond our suffering and into new territory. How do we find this story?In this workshop David will introduce the concept of post-traumatic growth to provide participants with a framework to examine what happens after a life trauma or life upheaval and how, paradoxically this can lead to new beginnings and new ways of being. This is finding your new story.

The Process

First, we’ll write about how life was before – our past story.

Then we’ll write about the current story – how it is now.Finally, we’ll write a new story that could incorporate elements of post-traumatic growth such as, personal courage, enhanced relationships, appreciation of life, new possibilities, spiritual change and compassion. The morning session will include introductions and guidelines for the day we spend together.

We'll write the old story followed by the current story. We will examine core beliefs and how these are disrupted and need to be remade.Through explanation and video, we’ll gain an understanding of how to apply the post-traumatic growth model.

The following session will be focussed on finding our new story and debriefing at the end.

At each stage David will provide writing prompts and facilitate the discussion. He will offer some sample writings from his own work.Participants do not need to use writing as their main medium for ‘writing’ their story. They could also use mind mapping, drawing and other methods for depicting their stories that are practical with the workshop environment. It is also not necessary for participants to reveal the details of their trauma or crisis to others.

Who is it for?

This is for people who are resolving a life trauma, helping others to work through a life trauma, or fiction writers who are keen to understand the psychology of post-traumatic growth and how this might apply to their work. In the latter case, they might write about a fictional character that they are developing for a story.

What is included?

Lunch, morning and afternoon tea.