Dates: 21 – 23 May 2026
Timing: 9:30 – 5pm (4:30pm on final day)
Venue: 50b Smith Street

This course will be of benefit to those who conduct therapy with adult and older teen 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 ETA’s 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 older teen 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.

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 autobiographical 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.

Course Components

3 Days in-person training.

1 x written assignment [1,500 words] – applicable if you wish to be awarded ETA’s Certificate. You are welcome to attend without completing this requirement.

Extensive manual provided.

Your Investment:
Early Bird (available until 8th Sept 2026) : $1265
Full Price: $1365

Those wishing to pursue the full Certificate in Expressive Therapies with Adult Clients can include this module as part of their 15 day training.