Episode Twelve: Healing Trauma through Creative Writing with Edwina Shaw

For this episode we spoke to Edwina Shaw, who teaches creative writing in schools, libraries, community settings, and at the University of Queensland, and also is a writer herself. Edwina’s work focuses on the healing power of stories and in this episode we explore how storytelling can be a way of working through trauma. We focus on Edwina’s creative writing sessions with people who grew up in out-of-home care and hear about how imaginative and creative writing exercises hold the potential to tell one’s story in a different way. Edwina also addresses the extensive work that goes into making these sessions safe for everyone.

Please note: the episode does contain references to traumatic life events that may be confronting. If listeners need to seek support, we recommend the following services:

Lifeline (AUS)           Beyond Blue (AUS)               Lifeline (US)            NHS overview of services (UK)