Editor's Note from Norma-Jean Strickland: This is a video of “The Christmas Story” as told by the children of St. Paul’s Church, Auckland, New Zealand. Besides being adorable, I found this version to be quite creative. I hope you enjoy it, no matter what you personally celebrate and honor during this season of holy days. May we all enjoy a more peaceful and prosperous world in 2013!

Therapeutic Storytelling

by Norma-Jean Strickland,
ATH Asst. Editor of Therapeutic Storytelling

A friend recently introduced me to the composer Eric Whitacre and his “Virtual Choir,” which has become an Internet sensation. I immediately fell in love with his music and this extraordinary concept of using the Internet for creative collaboration. Naturally, I wanted to share it and thought of including it here at ATH. Imagine my surprise (and delight) to learn that it had already been posted in the ATH Arts and Art Therapy section. I encourage you to look at it (but after you read my article, please)...

Therapeutic Storytelling

Editor's Note from Michael Williams: This video is a lovely introduction to the work of author and workshop facilitator John Killick. Killick works with adults suffering with dementia. He utilizes elements of play and storytelling in his work. You can't help but smile and admire this approach as you watch the enjoyment in his Funshop workshop.

Therapeutic Storytelling

by Eliane Du

We generally believe that doctors are meant to save lives within their power and ability, but from my experience that is not always the case.

Several years after the Vietnam War ended, my mother decided to leave the country taking her four children with her. It was a drastic decision, but like many Vietnamese “boat people”, we had to risk everything, including our lives, to find a new life...

Editor's Note from Michael Williams: During the years following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, tens of thousands of Vietnamese refugees fled the Communist-controlled regime. Most escaped in boats—many of them crude and unseaworthy—to cross the South China Sea. These people risked dehydration, drowning and attacks by pirates for a chance at freedom. Writer and Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy researcher Eliane Du was one of the lucky ones. Read her harrowing story of survival and remember the plight of many like her the next time you taste a lemon.

Therapeutic Storytelling

“One lesson we can learn from pre-industrial peoples is the power of storytelling. I am struck by how important storytelling is among tribal peoples; it forms the basis of their educational systems. The Celtic peoples, for example, insisted that only the poets could be teachers. Why? I think it is because knowledge that is not passed through the heart is dangerous: it may lack wisdom; it may be a power trip; it may squelch life out of the learners. What if our educational systems were to insist that teachers be poets and storytellers and artists? What transformations would follow?”

~ Matthew Fox

Therapeutic Storytelling

by Martha Alderson, MA

The Universal Story is the heartbeat of the universe. It's in the undercurrent of every breath you take, every story you tell yourself, and all the stories you write. The Universal Story represents the story of one man changing and evolving as part of the bigger story of all of nature and world around us undergoing constant change and evolution...

Editor's Note from Norma-Jean Strickland: Martha Alderson, MA, is a writer by night, but by day she helps other writers achieve their dreams of completing a worthy project. During a plot consultation with her, writers recount the scenes and events, ideas and vision for their stories. Throughout the process, she whispers plot parameters, offers tips on theme and nuance, character and depth, tricks for layering and pacing, all with the hope of reawakening in writers the rhythm of the Universal Story form.

Therapeutic Storytelling

by Sydney Solis, RYT

Words have power. The power to create, connect, relate and excite. The whole universe is created by sound and words and many traditions speak of this...

Editor's Note from Michael Williams: In this article, yoga teacher and storyteller Sydney Solis awakens the storyteller with practical advice for using story and yoga with children. Tips and techniques are accompanied by a short story which readers can use to explore the power of words and movement.

Therapeutic Storytelling

by Wendy Woolfson

I have been working in Glasgow with a group of adults with learning disabilities in a therapeutic reading group for a few months and I’d like to share this session with you...

Editor's Note from Michael Williams: In this article, storyteller and therapeutic reading group leader Wendy Woolfson shares her experience working in Glasgow with a group of adults with learning disabilities in a therapeutic reading group. The project has been funded by SLIC Scottish Library and Information Council. 

Therapeutic Storytelling

by Sandy Krzyzanowski

My mother-in-law lost her beloved husband of almost 55 years close to nine years ago. Over the years, literally every picture of the two of them showed her head lying lovingly on his shoulder. We all knew how much they adored each other. Shortly after his death, she was awakened by the sound of someone singing...

Editor's Note from Michael Williams: Yoga teacher Sandy Krzyzanowski pays tribute to her parents in this touching story of healing and blessing.

Therapeutic Storytelling

by Paula Cowie

When you hear my stories
You feel safe
It feels okay
they don't always make sense...

Editor's Note from Michael Williams: Poet, storyteller and eco-manager Paula Cowie shares a poetic reflection on the power of story.

Therapeutic Storytelling

by Michael Williams,
ATH Co-Editor of Therapeutic Storytelling

The world of storytelling, like other arts, consists of performers. Anyone who has organised a storytelling performance with a lineup of talented tellers will recognise that like other artists, storytellers are not immune from the effects of celebrity; performances can often bring out our egoistical needs and desires...

Therapeutic Storytelling

BJC Hospice Expressive Therapy for Children (A Path to Healing) in St Louis, Missouri USA. Expressive therapy helps children with life-limiting illnesses and their families express and cope with experiences, thoughts and emotions. Using various therapeutic activities including art, music, play, writing and storytelling, the expressive therapy program...

Therapeutic Storytelling