Lisa, a woman in her mid-thirties, had always wanted to capture her life experiences in writing but felt overwhelmed by where to start and uncertain how to organise her memories. She began with Life Story Conversations to reflect on her experiences, thoughts, and emotions, seeking clarity and perspective. Over time, these conversations naturally evolved into therapeutic writing sessions, allowing her to channel reflection into a creative and meaningful writing project.
How the sessions supported Lisa
Through a combination of reflective dialogue, narrative exploration, and guided writing exercises, Lisa was able to work on her autobiographical project while also processing her experiences emotionally. Key elements included:
- reflective life story conversations – initial sessions helped Lisa untangle complex memories, highlight meaningful experiences, and identify the themes she most wanted to explore in writing
- therapeutic writing for insight and expression – with tailored prompts and techniques from writing and poetry therapy, Lisa wrote about formative life events, cross-cultural experiences, and personal challenges. Writing exercises offered a safe space to express difficult emotions, explore personal values, and gain insight into recurring patterns in her life
- professional feedback and encouragement – each session included thoughtful reflection on her texts, guidance for overcoming writing blocks, and strategies for approaching sensitive topics, helping Lisa stay motivated, confident, and engaged with her project
By the end of the sessions, Lisa had achieved:
- a clearer understanding of the stories that shaped her life
- emotional processing and self-compassion through reflective writing
- a meaningful, organised collection of autobiographical pieces ready to preserve for herself and loved ones
- renewed confidence in her ability to honour and reflect on her experiences creatively
Lisa reflected: “Starting with Life Story Conversations gave me clarity, and moving into therapeutic writing allowed me to give form to my memories. It wasn’t just about writing – it was about connecting with my experiences in a deeper, more thoughtful way.”
An invitation
If you have experiences you wish to reflect on, memories to explore, or a story you want to give form to, you might consider beginning with a conversation. Sometimes a single reflective session is enough to spark clarity, insight, or inspiration – and it can be a gentle first step toward discovering your own narrative path (or a writing project, like in Lisa’s case).