The Magic of Words – Online Group

The information on this page is for an ACC sensitive claims approved online group.  Your counsellor or psychologist can help you access the group if you have an approved claim.

The Magic of Words is an 8-week online creative writing group for people who are curious about writing as a way to explore experience, express emotion, and support wellbeing.

This group offers a gentle, structured space to experiment with words. It is suitable for people who already write as well as those who are just beginning. Creative writing is used as a tool for self-expression, reflection, and self regulation.

Each session includes guided writing activities and optional sharing in a supportive, facilitated group environment.

Across the eight weeks, participants will be introduced to a range of creative writing approaches designed to:

• support emotional expression and self-reflection
• build confidence with words and voice
• offer practical tools for self-regulation
• create connection, meaning, and a sense of being seen

Sharing is always optional. Participants are welcome to share written work, reflections on process, or simply listen.

Potential Benefits

Participants may:

1. 1. explore new creative writing approaches
   2. gain confidence using writing as a tool for self-expression
   3. develop skills that support emotional regulation
   4. strengthen self-esteem and self-efficacy
   5. experience connection within a safe group space

What participants have said about this group

A little bit about sharing

This group is a writing and creativity space, not a trauma-processing group. Many of us carry trauma, and this will naturally shape how and what we write, but the focus here is on creative expression rather than sharing or processing traumatic material in the group.

Choice and pacing
You’re always welcome to write in your own way and at your own pace.

• Sharing is optional. You never owe the group your story.
• You may pass, share briefly, share an excerpt, or speak about your process rather than your content.

Mindful sharing
When sharing writing with the group, the group agrees to:

• Be mindful that this is a collective space with many nervous systems present
• Avoid graphic or detailed descriptions of violence, abuse, or traumatic events
• Share from a place that feels regulated enough to stay present in the room
• Use distance where helpful- e.g. metaphor, imagery, third person, or abstraction
• Pause or stop reading at any point, without explanation

Writing for the page vs writing for the group
Some writing is for the page only, some is for a trusted one-to-one space, and some is ready to be shared in a group. Part of our practice here is learning to sense the difference.

Confidentiality
What is shared in the group stays in the group. Please speak from your own experience and avoid sharing others’ stories outside the group.

Care and support
As facilitators we’ll support grounding and pausing if needed, but this group is not a space for trauma processing or crisis support. If something opens up that feels like it needs more support, we encourage you to take that back to your individual counselling – this group is a part of your bigger journey and it’s appropriate for there to be crossover between us and your counsellor.

Respect for self and others
As a group we agree to listen with care, avoid analysis or advice-giving, and trust that everyone is the expert on their own experience.