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Practitioner Certificate Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes (CWTP) for Therapists

A 10-day course exploring creative writing techniques for therapeutic applications.
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Key Information

Field of Study

  • Practitioner Certificate Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes (CWTP) for Therapists

Duration

  • 10 days in five two-day blocks (Fridays and Saturdays)

Start Dates

  • 05/02/2027

Teaching Institution

  • Metanoia Institute

Awarding Institution

  • Metanoia Institute

Accrediting Professional Body

  • N/A

Location

  • Online

The Practitioner Certificate in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes (CWTP) for Therapists is a comprehensive 10-day course offered by Metanoia Institute. Aimed at qualified therapists and senior trainees, this course explores creative writing techniques for therapeutic applications. The programme runs from February to June in five two-day blocks (Fridays and Saturdays).

Course Philosophy

The Practitioner Certificate in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes (CWTP) for Therapists is a comprehensive 10-day course offered by Metanoia Institute. Aimed at qualified therapists and senior trainees, this course explores creative writing techniques for therapeutic applications. The programme runs from February to June in five two-day blocks (Fridays and Saturdays).

Students will develop skills in CWTP through a blend of experiential learning and theoretical insights, guided by experienced tutors. Students devise and deliver a practice session for peers and tutors during the course. The course includes pre- and post-session reading tasks to support ongoing learning and development.

Course Modules

  • Day 1: Introduction to Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes
  • Day 2: Working with CWTP in the Counselling Room
  • Day 3: Exploring Perspectives and Forms in Writing
  • Day 4: Language, Intimacy and Distance
  • Day 5: Working with Characters and Voices
  • Day 6: Working with Metaphor and Myth
  • Day 7: A Palette of CWTP Resources
  • Day 8: Focusing, Mindfulness and the Writing Space
  • Day 9: Getting Into Practice
  • Day 10: Demonstrating Competence

Supporting Information

Teaching Methods:

The course employs a variety of teaching methods including creative writing exercises, group discussions, small group work, and collaborative tasks. Students will engage in designing and delivering CWTP workshops, receive formative feedback, and participate in individual tutorials to assess competence. An essay post-course will further explore CWTP understandings and applications.

Who is this course for?

The course is suitable for qualified therapists and senior trainees who are interested in learning about Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes and its applications. There will be creative writing activities for students in each learning day as part of the experiential learning.

Alumni Path

Practitioners can go on to facilitate CWTP groups, integrate creative writing into counselling practice, or develop therapeutic workshops in community and wellbeing settings.

Key Contacts

Fiona Hamilton

Head of Programme, MSc Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes

Email: fiona.hamilton@metanoia.ac.uk
Fiona Hamilton specialises in creative, expressive and reflective writing and devising projects with creative and therapeutic aims. She is a mentor and has extensive group and one-to-one experience of facilitating in the NHS and complementary healthcare, with community groups devising projects to raise awareness and challenge stigma, with young people in schools, and on experimental poetry and drama projects. She is Arts Lead for the National Centre for Integrative Medicine and at the University of Bristol teaches students who wish to complement clinical studies by exploring concepts of health and their own lives using poetry, movement, humour, conversation and reflective writing. Fiona has published drama scripts, poetry collections, radio pieces, and public art, and a play for live online audiences during the pandemic exploring the power of music and dance for healing. Particularly relevant to her CWTP role are published work for the book ‘Medicine, Health, and the Arts’, ‘Words and Thresholds’ in Scriptum Creative Writing Journal, and the books ‘Writing Routes’ and ‘Writing Works’.

Course Dates

Days Date
Day 1 & 2 Fri 5 February & Sat 6 Feb 2027
Day 3 & 4 Fri 5 March and Sat 6 March 2027
Day 5 & 6 Fri 9 April and Sat 10 April 2027
Day 7 & 8 Fri 7 May and Sat 8 May 2027
Day 9 & 10 Fri 11 June and Sat 12 June 2027

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements:

  • Applicants should have a qualification as a therapist or counsellor, or equivalent professional experience in a therapeutic field.

 

English Language Requirements:

  • Applicants whose first language is not English must meet Metanoia Institute’s English language requirements for undergraduate applicants. We accept IELTS or equivalent qualifications as outlined in our admissions criteria. For specific requirements and accepted scores, please refer to the Metanoia Institute website.

Fees and Funding

2026/2027 Fees

The course fees vary based on membership status with Metanoia and the timing of the application.

Standard Fee: £2,050
Metanoia Member: £2,000

2027/2028 Fees (from February 2028 cohort)

Standard Fee: £2,100
Metanoia Member: £2,050

How to Apply

At Metanoia, we are committed to empowering the next generation of professionals in counselling and psychotherapy. This programme offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills and achieve your career aspirations in a supportive learning environment.

Click the button below to begin your application: