Path of the Pen™ : Therapeutic Writing as a Trauma-Informed
Intervention
Program Description
This program will explore the use of various methods of therapeutic writing to facilitate
and enhance trauma recovery. Participants will receive information on the efficacy of
therapeutic writing which will include journaling, poetry and other expressive prose, as a
trauma-informed adjunct expressive therapy. The presenter will explore the history of
the field, capture and synthesize the existing neuroscience support, and explore how this
“wordy” intervention is actually a healing art form. Participants will have an opportunity
to break out their pens as they are introduced to the various approaches and techniques to
use with directly with clients.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:
 Define Therapeutic Writing and its relevance to trauma-informed practice;

Explain the various approaches to Therapeutic Writing such as Progoff, Adams,
Proprioceptive, and more;

Identify and demonstrate several Therapeutic Writing methods, exercises and
techniques for immediate use with traumatized individuals.
Target Audience
This workshop will be highly beneficial to all mental health practitioners who work with
individuals with a history of trauma. This includes clinical social workers, psychologists,
counselors, psychiatric providers and substance abuse professionals.
THIS PROGRAM IS LIMITED TO 30 PARTICIPANTS
Contact Hours
6.0 hours
Agenda
8:30 am REGISTRATION
9:00 AM
• Opening Writing Activity
• Introduction to Journal Therapy
• A Trauma Informed Context
• Trauma, Transition, and Writing
10:30 am BREAK
10:45 am
• Understanding the Approaches and Methods of Journal Therapy
• Progoff Method
• Pennebaker Method
• Proprioceptive Method
• The Adams Method
•
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The WOWSA™ Method
Various Practice and Experiential Examples
12:00 pm LUNCH (on your own)
1:15 pm
• Trauma-Informed Considerations
• Introducing Writing to Clients
• Content vs Process
• Introduction to Reflective Process and Sensitive Reflection Process
• Clinical Interventions, Techniques and Experiential Examples
2:45 pm BREAK
3:00 pm
• Bridging Sensory Therapies with Journal Therapy (Play, Art)
• Advanced Discussion on WOWSA™ Method
• Experiential Opportunities and Practice
4:45 pm ADJOURNMENT
Faculty
Cherie L. Spehar, MSW, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Facilitator,
Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Certified Trauma Consultant-Supervisor in
Apex, NC. A clinician since 1994, she has dedicated her life to the well-being and
healing of children, women and families. With her extensive clinical background, her
professional path has found her in longstanding roles such as Executive Director of The
Child Abuse Prevention Center in Raleigh, North Carolina and Training Coordinator and
Developer with the North Carolina State University Social Work Department. Ms. Spehar
can be found at her private practice center, Smiling Spirit Pathways, where she has
developed a haven for consultation, training, child and family therapy, and trauma
services. There, she also develops children’s groups, facilitates workshops related to
resiliency, “trauma parenting”, and women’s wellness and serves as a field instructor for
UNC-CH, School of Social Work. Ms. Spehar is a Certified Trauma ConsultantSupervisor with The National Center for Trauma and Loss in Children (TLC) and has
served hundreds of children and adults with TLC Programs. Additionally, she has
pioneered efforts in her local and statewide school system to bring Trauma-Informed
approaches into the educational setting and provides regular consultation to community
agencies on Trauma-Informed Care. Ms. Spehar also provides presentations, Keynotes,
and trainings locally and nationally on working with traumatized children and adults. She
further specializes in Therapeutic Writing interventions and holds a Certificate of
Advanced Study in this expressive therapy field. She has recently developed a Trauma
Mentorship Program in which she accepts beginner and advanced candidates for
intensive study in the use of trauma-informed interventions and approaches.
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