Description:
OPD Points: 10
COMPONENTS OF THE COURSE
Free 1-hour online orientation to the course and course requirements
6 x 3-hour online weekly interactive training modules (17 hours, includes 10-minute break)
12 hours of home study and assignment preparation
1 written assignment (1,500 words)
Extensive manual provided for each module
eBook of Readings provided
This course will be of benefit to those who conduct therapy with adult and adolescent clients, individually and in groups. Therapeutic writing helps clients know themselves, and write their way to wellbeing. Participation in the training does not require any previous experience – or specific skills – with creative or therapeutic writing. It brings together a range of current literature on the theory, evidence-base, principles and practice of writing for therapeutic purposes. Among its unique features are our own dynamic Expressive Therapies activities developed and tested over the last 35 years.
Therapeutic writing within counselling incorporates reflection, followed by expressing cognitive, emotional, somatic and transpersonal experiences. This supports psychological, emotional resolution, and contributes to physical wellbeing, motivation and psychological clarity.
The course will introduce and provide opportunities for exploring a wide range of practical therapeutic activities for engaging adult and adolescent clients. Therapeutic writing is an expressive therapy that can be combined with the use of art, music and movement, and be safely incorporated into both face-to-face and telehealth counselling.
Next Intake – 2025 Dates and Times:
Free Introductory Orientation: Monday 18 August 4.30pm – 5.30pm (Brisbane Time)
Six weekly online training modules: Mondays 4.30pm to 7.30pm (Brisbane Time), with a 10 minute break  1: 8 Sept 2: 15 Sept 3: 22 Sept 4: 29 Sept (one week off) 5: 13 Oct 6: 20 Oct.
INTRODUCTORY ORIENTATION TO THE COURSE 1 hour 18/8/25
This free online session reviews course content, course requirements, online etiquette and your time commitment. Available prior to completing registration.
MODULE ONE 3 hrs 8/9/25
- Background and evidence-base for therapeutic writing
- Writing for wellbeing; Writing activities and integrative counselling
- Using self-discovery worksheet formats
- Writing for self-compassion; Challenging self-criticism
MODULE TWO 3 hrs 15/9/25
- Journal writing activities for cognitive clarity and emotional expression
- The power of symbol and metaphor in therapy
- Metaphor: help to view life a new way
- Guided reflection with sentence prompts
MODULE THREE 3 hrs 22/9/25
- Consolidating self-compassion practice
- Poetry for self-expression: exploring possibilities and potential
- A taste of bibliotherapy: Drawing inspiration from others
MODULE FOUR  3 hrs 29/9/25
- Imagination and writing for problem-solving
- Structuring life reviews with time-lines
- Starting a memoir: Brief autobiographical review for therapeutic purposes
One week break for home study and assignment
MODULE FIVE 3 hrs  13/10/25
- Identity and self – Clarifying internal dialogues
- Collaborative writing activities for couples and groups
- Professionals’ use of a self-reflection diary
MODULE SIX 3 hrs 20/10/25
- Imagery as a catalyst for written self-reflections
- Reflective writing within a transpersonal quest
- Harnessing mental imagery and active imagination for future focus
Key Learning Objectives / Outcomes:
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Create and present therapeutic writing activities to support client goals and benefit wellbeing
- Apply autobiography planning to examine and identify therapeutically relevant stages of life
- Generate reflective writing prompts for enhancing client self-awareness and communication
- Demonstrate ability to engage clients in the use of metaphor as a way to explore and enhance self-understanding.
Assessment:
Presenter / Provider:
Trainers and course creators:
Dr Mark Pearson and Dr Helen Wilson
Co-Directors of Expressive Therapies Australia
Presenter Qualifications:
Mark Pearson – Ph.D., M.Ed.(BEM), Dip T., Cert HB & TP, Dip. ERC. – has completed further studies in Transpersonal Psychotherapy with Dr Stanislav Grof, and holds a Diploma of Teaching (primary), a Masters in Education, majoring in Behaviour Management. His PhD research explored links between Multiple Intelligences Theory and the therapeutic alliance in counselling with adult clients. Mark also completed advanced Sandplay Therapy training with Ruth Ammann, a close colleague of Dora Kalff, the founder of Sandplay.
Helen Wilson – PhD., M. Couns. B. Bus. (HRM) G. Dip. ERC. Cert SP Cert. HB & TP Cert. ERC. – holds a degree in Human Resource Management and a Masters in Counselling through UNE, where she was awarded a faculty medal. Helen also holds a Ph.D., from the University of Notre Dame Australia, where she and Mark tied for the University medal in 2010.
MARK PEARSON Ph.D., M.Ed.(BEM), Dip T., Cert HB & TP, Dip. ERC.
Mark has been conducting courses in Expressive Therapies (ET) around Australia for over thirty years – since 1989, in Asia since 2001, and occasionally in New Zealand and for many agencies around Australia. He now lives and works on the north side of Brisbane, Queensland.
For five years Mark held a senior staff position at a training centre in the Blue Mountains, NSW, as lecturer in Emotional Release Counselling for Children, Breathwork Therapy, Dreamwork and Sandplay. He then directed courses at a personal growth and training centre in Toowoomba for eight years. Mark has completed further studies in Transpersonal Psychotherapy with Dr Stanislav Grof, and holds a Diploma of Teaching (primary), a Masters in Education, majoring in Behaviour Management. His PhD research explored links between Multiple Intelligences Theory and the therapeutic alliance in counselling with adult clients. Mark also completed advanced Sandplay Therapy training with Ruth Ammann, a close colleague of Dora Kalff, the founder of Sandplay.
Mark lectured in counselling at the University of Notre Dame, Australia, in Fremantle for five years, then lectured at the University of Adelaide, then was a Senior Lecturer in Counselling at the University of the Sunshine Coast for seven years, where he also founded the USC Counselling & Wellbeing Clinic. Mark is registered with the World Association of Sand Therapy Professionals as a Consultant/Trainer.
Mark’s publications can be found at: https://expressivetherapies.au/publications.php
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Dr HELEN WILSONÂ Â PhD., M. Couns. B. Bus. (HRM) G. Dip. ERC. Cert SP Cert. HB & TP Cert. ERC.
Helen is co-founder of Expressive Therapies Australia, with Mark, and a senior trainer in Expressive Therapies and Sandplay Therapy, around Australia and internationally. She holds a degree in Human Resource Management and a Masters in Counselling through UNE, where she was awarded a faculty medal. Helen also holds a Ph.D., from the University of Notre Dame Australia, where she and Mark tied for the University medal in 2010.
Having completed all three levels of training in Emotional Release Counselling and Transpersonal Studies, Helen achieved the level of Post Graduate Diploma. In addition, she has a Certificate in Emotional Release Counselling with Children and a Certificate in Sandplay Therapy. Helen also completed advanced Sandplay Therapy training with Ruth Ammann, a close colleague of Dora Kalff, the founder of Sandplay. In 1998 Helen completed further studies in Transpersonal Psychology and Holotropic Breathwork with Dr. Stanislav Grof.
Helen holds certificates in clinical counselling supervision, and has maintained a private practice as a clinical supervisor and counsellor for the last 30 years. Helen was a Lecturer and Senior Lecturer in Counselling at the University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, at the University of Adelaide, and the University of the Sunshine Coast. Helen now focuses on her clinical supervision practice and provision of training in Sandplay Therapy.
Helen’s publications can be found at: https://expressivetherapies.au/publications.php
Start / End Date
Times:
Start:
End:
Course Duration:
Course Hours:
Registration Instructions:
You can register for the FREE 1-hour course orientation, and/or register and pay for the full course on our website:
Online Training offered by Expressive Therapies Australia
Please feel free to phone or email and chat about the course! Phone Mark: 0419492713
