How can visual storytelling help us process emotions? Can it heal us?

As a psychologist I say: Yes! I strongly believe in the healing power of creating comics. In fact, research does suggest that storytelling improve our mental health. Drawing comics is one of many ways to do so and a very effective one as well. Why? Because “a picture is worth a thousand words”. Not only did drawing short stories help me unterstand my own feelings and process experiences for over 20 years, I have also seen this in the more than 50 workshops and webinars I have given the past years. How does it work? The process is the following: 

1. Identifying that key incident or thought that made you feel so strongly, 
2. Finding meaning in it,
3. Creating and lastly,
4. Sharing it in a safe space.

I have led workshops for children, young people and adults alike and almost every single one of them was impressed by their own result at the end of the workshop . They had not believed that they were able to create a meaningful short story in just a couple of hours – especially if they insisted they cannot draw. That moment there – the realisation of owning a skill plus that therapeutic safe space we create in the end when everyone (who wants) shares their results and their feelings with the group  are my favourite parts of teaching others. 

Are you interested in hosting a workshop? Feel free to contact me! 

The duration, the thematic focus (racism, feminism, identity etc.) and other general elements can always be adapted to your group’s needs.