The Mindful Writing Workshop By Richard Koch

I jumped at the chance to review this title because I use resources like this every day in my job as a therapist. I love finding new books and theories to use with clients.I was interested to read this book because I run writing workshops as part of my therapy business, including mindful poetry writing. My workshops are for adults, whereas this book focuses more on children’s workshops. Although, the principles behind practicing are largely the same especially where working with vulnerable people or those exposed to trauma. I could see Koch’s book being a great underpinning for my work with adult survivors of sexual abuse or domestic violence.

The book gave me the theory behind how I teach, for example the principle of the ‘Packed Lesson’. I thought of this in relation to how I teach mindful haiku writing. We begin by clarifying why each step is useful - eg: we need to do a mindfulness exercise first to tune into our environment and this generates the poetry content. We would show an example of each step - I do this by writing alongside the class. Then explain how each step helps the writing - e.g: mindfulness works with haiku because when we are mindful we are present in the moment and each haiku is supposed to be the distillation of a moment in nature. A work period then takes place - eg: the student works through their senses and notes what they experience, then uses the haiku form to turn these sensory notes into poetry. The task ends when students share their writing and the experience of writing them with each other.

The author goes on to explain that working with trauma means adding ways of countering stress and anxiety into the teaching practice. I found these tips particularly helpful, especially how to establish mindfulness and respect into the classroom by creating a respect agreement. It even covered how to manage student feedback by reminding students that mistakes are how we learn, creating a foundation of safety and praising effort above correct answers.

I was impressed with this book and felt I would buy it to complement my workshop development. It is great for therapists, trauma workshop facilitators and teachers of any age. There are principles described here that would enhance any teachers practice, whatever the age of student. Some ideas are specific for those children experiencing trauma, but also remind us how to teach every child and keep learning fun. The Positive Response Protocol would help any teach who needs to offer gentle encouragement rather than judgement or criticism.

In the second section the author offers ideas to prompt creative writing, such as Life Maps. He suggests thinking of a hobby from your childhood, a place you used to visit and other prompts that can start memoir writing or be a basis for creating a character. I loved this because when I’m teaching journal writing I keep a jar of prompts for those who find it difficult when facing a blank page.

I would buy this book on the basis that many of my adult students are still wrestling with and writing about trauma. When writing about the most difficult experiences in their lives the writer can be triggered and all the feelings of that trauma flood in and can be overwhelming. This book gave me the basic tools to keep someone safe and help them process their experience. As a facilitator I have to hold them, but also return them to the here and now. They have to leave the session safe and able to carry on with their day and this book would help me to do that.