The Road to Hope: An introduction to releasing trauma through powerful writing therapy

I was fortunate enough to be able to book a place on Amber Community’s Road to Hope writing therapy group. This 8 week online course was designed to support people who have experienced road trauma (or indeed, any trauma) in using writing as a tool for therapy. In short- maximising the benefits of journaling.

Poetry for healing

I had struggled with journaling in the past. Those who are familiar with why I returned to writing will know that I turned to poetry because I found journaling too confronting. After the car crash that left me with a broken neck, a brain injury (now post concussion syndrome) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), I was faced with flashbacks and intrusive thoughts that made talking about the incident distressing. And as for writing about it- impossible.

By turning my overwhelming feelings into a project (ie a poem), it was almost like someone from my university Drama & Imaginative Writing days had given me a task: “Write a poem from the perspective of a women who has been involved in a car crash“. Then, the confusing and overwhelming feelings were moulded in to something organised and manageable; I could reread my piece and feel those emotions again, but this time in a way that made sense. I could even let some of it go. (For a more indepth analysis, see my article on Medium).

Eight weeks of writing therapy

Over eight weeks (or 12.5 hours), the participants engaged in a series of writing strategies to support trauma writing. We also had discussions regarding different approaches to writing, our own relationship with the craft, and societal perceptions. From the onset, it was made clear to us that not every strategy would work for everyone. We are all very different people with a variety of experiences and strengths. I won’t go into the exercises and strategies in detail. Their efficacy is very much dependant on the supportive environment and the process through which they are delivered.

The first few weeks laid crucial groundwork to support the potentially more emotionally challenging tasks later on. We were all encouraged to share the results of the tasks we completed during the sessions and at home; but I never felt pressured to share if I didn’t feel comfortable. The experienced facilitators managed to maintain this perfect balance throughout. The group size of around eight particpants also supported this pressure free environment. The group was small enough to feel that there was always time to share ideas and ask questions. Large enough to feel as though I didn’t have to provide input into every single segment to avoid awkward silence.

Writing therapy and beyond

I left the final session feeling genuinely empowered by writing therapy strategies I can continue to use, both in my personal and professional writing. I’m keen to explore the practice of journalling further. I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of what I could achieve through the processes I have been introduced to; in terms of trauma and of simply getting to know myself at a previously unchartered level.

Healing cannot be rushed. I suspect that this course would not have impacted me as significantly if I had attempted it earlier on in my recovery. For me, poetry was the only way I could get feelings out of my head and words onto paper earlier on in my recovery. I think I found Road to Hope at exactly the right time.

As an experiment, I wrote this blog using a couple of the techniques we were taught. And I’ve never completed a piece of writing so quickly.

Amber Community provides free professional counselling and support to those affected by road trauma in Victoria while also addressing the attitudes and behaviours of road users through education. To access counselling and support services, call 1300 367 797. For more information, please visit the website here.