Do you struggle to stay centered in a fast-paced world of overwhelming information and events? Are you looking for new tools to access your inner wisdom and unlock your creativity and purpose? Do you want to gain new perspectives that will help you get unstuck, make decisions, and add dimension to your life?

Transformational writing is for anyone, from beginners to lifelong writers, who wants to learn new ways to write any purpose — including creative expression, healing or personal growth, and even life or business management. It’s a practice that brings us to ourselves.

This isn’t writing as performance art — there’s no novel, no screenplay, no clever blog at the end of it. Transformational writing is about the experience of writing and the unique personal truths that surface when we plumb our own depths. Writing is a practice that creates space, and in the space we discover — or remember — who we are.

Upcoming workshops

 

Journal to the Self
Four-week class
Learn to use writing as a tool for growth and change.
Find out more.

 
 

Why write?

Writing is a powerful tool. Studies show that journaling in general — and journaling about traumatic experiences in particular — has a positive impact on overall well-being, both mental and physical. Some of the benefits to writing in a personal journal — often called “expressive writing” — include:

    • Unlocking your creativity
    • Maximizing your efficiency
    • Healing your relationships
    • Making decisions
    • Accessing information in your subconscious mind
    • And more!

Whatever life situation, opportunity, or roadblock you may be facing, writing can help you deepen your understanding, develop new awareness, and ultimately change your life.

How it works

Accessing inner wisdom through writing is an individual experience, but writing in a group creates a structure and collective energy that jumpstarts personal expression. Experimenting with new writing techniques, reflecting on the results, and discussing the experience deepens learning. That’s why all workshops and retreats include three things:

    • Instruction on innovative writing techniques, complete with example entries and prompts
    • Structured solo time to practice each technique and reflect on the results
    • Group discussion and optional sharing

 

About Allison

Allison Pond is an award-winning journalist, a former researcher on religion and politics, and the founder of the Transformational Writing Project. She has a deep fascination with language, ideas, the human mind, and interpersonal relationships, and she approaches journaling as a contemplative practice along with meditation, walking, and painting.

Allison is currently finishing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the College of William & Mary and working as a professional counselor at Sunstone Counseling in Alexandria, Virginia. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and English. Allison is a certified facilitator of the Journal to the Self® program through the Therapeutic Writing Institute.

She spends her free time hiking, experimenting in the kitchen, and going to book clubs.

 

testimonials

 

Playing with language

I loved experimenting with so many different techniques! I've already thought of many ways to incorporate these ideas into my classroom. 

— Lauren, Teacher

Making sense

The course inspired me to write more. I found it to be an excellent way to process and make sense of the jumbled mess inside my brain.

— Jana, Life Coach

Being surprised

Writing has always been tedious and unpleasant, but some of these suggestions worked beautifully for me — in surprising ways! I now have viable methods for exploration. 

— Jane, Executive Assistant