WRITE YOUR WAY TO CLARITY
Literary Therapy Writing Sessions use introspective writing exercises, curated reading selections, and group discussion in a safe, welcoming environment to explore individual and community wellness and offer space for creative expression.
Participants practice mindfulness, engage with prompts + activities related to mental + emotional wellness; share and hear personal insights and coping strategies; and prioritize joy and wellbeing. Participants report feeling safe, seen, considered, valued, challenged, vulnerable, and joyful during and after Literary Therapy.
Literary Therapy Framework
To maximize safety, fidelity, and impact, each Literary Therapy engagement draws from our 5-part Literary Therapy Framework, honed through supporting over 3,500 participants.
Grounding
to bring you into the present
Reflection
to get your mind wandering
Support + Resources
to connect you to more tools and community
Exploration
to go a bit deeper + unpack new ideas
+ big questions
Creating + Continuation
to collaborate on a creative community wellness tool
We use our Literary Therapy Framework to support people in writing their way to clarity via five complementary Literary Therapy Pathways:
Literary Therapy Writing Workshops
Virtual or in-person Literary Therapy Writing Workshops use introspective writing exercises, curated reading selections, and group discussion in a safe, welcoming environment to explore topics related to individual and community wellness and offer space for creative expression + resource cultivation.
Literary Therapy Writing Circles
The Literary Therapy Writing Circle is an intimate four-week creative wellness experience that offers space to process complex emotions around a specific topic and write your way to clarity in an affirming, joy-infused, collaborative community. Literary Therapy Writing Circle attendees collaborate with a licensed clinician to develop a Long-Term Wellness Plan and connect to ongoing mental health care as needed.
Literary Therapy Exploration Workbooks
An interactive resource guide that expands on Literary Therapy sessions with additional grounding, reflection, and creative exercises, creative wellness resources, and space to draw + take notes.
As of March 2025, GetSomeJoy has produced 18 Literary Therapy Exploration Workbook editions, including a special Black Joy Parade Edition designed by storyteller Julian Long.
Community Literary Therapy Wall
A traveling public installation that invites participants to read, reflect, write, and connect, sharing what they're doing to getsomejoy and exchanging wellness tools and strategies.
Virtual Literary Therapy Wall
A virtual board to support or inspire conversations around joy, food-based traditions, and crowdsource tools for coping + thriving. The collaborative Virtual Literary Therapy Wall template can be used to facilitate creative check-ins during meetings, gatherings, classes, and other digital spaces.
What happens during a Literary Therapy Writing Workshop
During the sessions, participants:
practice mindfulness and grounding activities,
explore topics such as joy, safety, stress, creativity, isolation, loss, goals, caregiving, giving ourselves and others grace, etc.,
share some insights with others + keep some private,
curate restorative wellness practices and support,
receive tools for self-affirmation and connecting to resources + support networks, and
prioritize their joy and well-being.
The sessions underscore writing's effectiveness as a vehicle for healing and catharsis, and allows participants to take an inventory of and gain clarity on their wellness journeys.
Popular Literary Therapy Experiences
GetSomeJoy@Work: Navigating Transition, Uncertainty, and Change with Creative Wellness Tools
Literary Therapy for Grief: Using Food, Storytelling, and Creative Wellness Strategies to Navigate Grief + Loss
Literary Therapy for Leaders: Creating Space for Joy
Literary Therapy for Educators and Administrators
Literary Therapy for Students
Literary Therapy for Families & Communities: Intergenerational Healing and New Narratives
Literary Therapy for Caregivers
Want to bring a Literary Therapy Writing Series or Workshop to your community?
Past Literary Therapy Writing Workshop Modules
Literary Therapy: Oakland Black Pride Edition
Literary Therapy: Black Joy Parade Edition
Literary Therapy: Spring Cleaning and Making Time for Joy
Literary Therapy for Educators and Administrators @ 2023 Focus Summer Learning Conference
Literary Therapy: Joy, Grief, Healing, and Recovery with Dominican Writers Association (sessions 1, 2, 3, 4)
Literary Therapy Summer Series: Joy, Grief, Pleasure, and Growth
Literary Therapy Fall/Winter Series: Caregiving, Shame, Self-Love, and Recovery