Testimonials
Trauma-Informed
Creative Writing,
Wellness and Yoga Workshops
What is Trauma-Informed Creative Writing?
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Trauma-Informed Creative Writing (TICW) is an artistic process that blends yoga practices—gentle movement, meditation, breathwork, and visualization—with creative writing and trauma-informed principles. It can be done on paper or canvas using paint pens.
I developed TICW while healing from the loss of my grandfather, an artist, in early 2023. It integrates my training in Psychology and Trauma-Informed Care with ancestral wisdom and yogic practices.
TICW does not focus on writing about trauma. Instead, TICW uses guided prompts to support writing about self-expression, empowerment, hope, self-compassion from a place of alignment with one’s vision and values. Movement and breathwork help regulate the nervous system, creating space for creativity to flow. Many people struggle to tell their story in an empowering way due to trauma or societal narratives—TICW helps reconnect them with their inner wisdom, fostering self-awareness, emotional grounding, and healing.
This workshop is a safely crafted space to be with our inner experience with a sense of gentleness.
- K.L, Workshop Participant, Sept. 2024
One of the things I appreciated most was the depth of knowledge Shalyn brought to the workshop.
Her understanding of the somatic writing process and how it relates to trauma was enlightening. She explained the roles of the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, and how they relate to hypo- and hyper-arousal in response to trauma. This knowledge truly deepened my understanding of how the body and mind work together in the healing and creative processes. Shalyn’s intelligence and passion were evident throughout, and the information she provided helped me connect more fully to the exercises.
- O, Workshop Participant, Oct. 2024
Your workshop helped me discover feelings that were locked inside me for a long time. It will help me express my feelings better in writing.
- D.M, Workshop Participant, Oct. 2024
I really enjoyed the session and the pacing. I liked the mix of somatic work and creative writing.
- M.F, Workshop Participant, Oct. 2024
I struggle with perfectionism and letting myself have my feelings and not criticize them especially in writing is difficult. The moment that resonated with me most deeply during the workshop was when Shalyn reminded us our answers (writing) does not have to be perfect - just genuine. I really enjoyed the meditation visualization that were integrated.
- S.M, Workshop Participant, Nov. 2024
If you're committed to your personal growth, the workshop with Shalyn is a great opportunity to make an investment in yourself and your community.
Shalyn is very knowledgeable, kind and professional. I very much enjoyed her workshop and i discovered things about myself that will help me in the future. Thank you!
- R.I, Workshop Participant
I enjoyed how intentionally this workshop was built. I really appreciated how the elements were embodied.. the workshop felt like all the things we learned can be put into action from movement to
breath work to solidarity in our journeys.
- A.S, Workshop Participant, Nov. 2024
Shalyn’s ability to create a calm, welcoming, and relaxed environment, coupled with her deep knowledge and passion, made the workshop truly special. She brought together a diverse group of people and created a space where we could heal, reflect, and create as a community. I’m deeply grateful for the experience and for the way she skillfully guided us through this journey with such care and compassion.
I hope to attend future workshops!
- O.A, Workshop Participant, Sept. 2024
This workshop made me want to apply the learning to my life through engaging in more writing prompts to help my thoughts and to be less judgemental of the words i write.
- S, Workshop Participant, Jan 2025
The somatic approach was especially meaningful to me. This workshop reminded me that involving the body in my creative process can be powerful. By tuning into your body, you may access deeper layers of memory, intuition, and expression that may not emerge through purely cognitive processes. It’s okay to invite joy and playfulness into the process. During the workshop, as Shalyn guided us through each exercise, I felt my body's tension start to release.
I had a few moments where I truly felt connected to my body. My lower back relaxed, and my body felt safe and supported. The relief I experienced was profound, and after the visualization and writing exercise, I felt as though I had just stepped out of a yoga session or sauna—completely at peace.
- O, Workshop Participant, Oct. 2024
Example Trauma-Informed
Creative Writing Pieces
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November 2024 Workshop:
Trauma-Informed Creative Writing for
Women of Color: Reclaiming Pleasure, Rest & Joy
This was a collective art piece formed through the trauma-informed creative writing process.
As a group, we wrote our reflections on the questions: 1) ''What do I want to release for myself and for future generations?'', 2) ''What are we reclaiming now?'', and 3) ''What do I hope for the lives of other women in my communities and across the world?''
January 2025 Workshop:
Trauma-Informed Creative Writing & Yoga for Reclaiming Authentic Self-Expression
Creating a warm and relaxing environment is pivotal to these workshops - I often include a mixture of tealight candles, fresh and faux flowers, calming music, and hot teas.
Participants can decorate their canvas writings with flowers, small stones, or colors that I include in each workshop.
July, 2024 Workshop:
Trauma-Informed Creative Writing for Grief
This workshop entailed writing reflections on individual and collective grief - with discussions on interconnectedness and social advocacy. Participants were guided through a short meditation and mindfulness practice, then a creative writing exercise to acknowledge emotions and release them onto paper / canvas.
Based on the writings, we shared ways we would like to support ourselves in grief journeys, ways of practicing self-care, and how to practice embodied social advocacy when grief arises.