By Lex Enrico Santi, MFA, LCSW
Painful memories can feel like a knife in the heart, a persistent and sharp reminder of something unresolved. But what if that pain could soften? What if, instead of a stabbing wound, it became something gentler—like the sensation of rubbing an old scar? This is the essence of samskara, the deep impressions left by past experiences that influence our present lives. Through narrative therapy and creative writing, we can work with these impressions, reshaping their impact and finding a way forward.
The Power of Narrative Therapy in Healing
For years, I have used narrative therapy and creative writing to help individuals move beyond emotional pain, whether from estrangement, breakups, past trauma, or unresolved conflicts. I have seen firsthand how storytelling can be a transformative tool, offering a path not just to understanding but to resolution. The simple act of writing—reframing our stories, changing perspective, and giving voice to what was left unsaid—has helped many find closure where traditional talk therapy alone has struggled.
In my previous work with Write It OUT and THESIS Therapy and other creative writing therapy groups, I have witnessed participants experience profound shifts. Their pain, once raw and overwhelming, becomes something manageable—something that no longer dictates their daily lives. This isn’t just about writing for catharsis; it’s about reclaiming the narrative and changing the emotional weight of past experiences.
A Structured Path to Healing: Unwritten – A 5-Week Writing Therapy Workshop
To bring this work to more people, I’m offering Unwritten: A Narrative Therapy Writing Workshop, a five-week structured program designed to help participants move beyond emotional pain through guided storytelling and narrative exercises.
Start Date: April 9, 2025 | End Date: May 7, 2025
Day & Time: Wednesdays, 7:00-8:15 PM ET
Format: Online only
Cost: $300 for the full program (private pay only, no insurance accepted)
Sign up at: lexenricosanti.com/workshops/narrative-therapy-workshop
What to Expect in This Workshop
Each session is designed to progressively shift the way participants relate to their painful memories, from understanding their emotional impact to rewriting them in a way that fosters closure and peace.
Week 1: "The Story We Carry"
Identifying the core emotional conflict of our personal stories
Exploring how past experiences shape our present narrative
Writing Prompt: "If my struggle had a title, what would it be?"
Week 2: "Rewriting the Past"
Shifting perspective on painful memories
Exploring alternative versions of past events
Writing Exercise: Rewriting a pivotal moment from a different viewpoint
Week 3: "The Unfinished Chapter"
Recognizing emotional loops that keep us stuck
Addressing the unspoken aspects of our story
Writing Prompt: "If I could say one last thing to this moment, it would be…"
Week 4: "The Turning Point"
Finding meaning in pain and reframing its role in our lives
Writing metaphorically to externalize trauma
Writing Exercise: A letter to your past self from the future
Week 5: "The Next Chapter"
Integrating the lessons learned
Writing a personal manifesto for healing
Final Writing Prompt: "The new story I choose to live is…"
Why This Workshop Matters
Traditional therapy offers immense value, but for many, talking alone isn't enough. Writing offers another pathway, allowing the mind to process, analyze, and reframe at its own pace. By the end of these five weeks, my goal is for participants to experience a tangible shift in how they relate to their pain—moving from a place of emotional intensity to one of perspective and control.
If you or someone you know has been struggling with lingering pain from the past, this workshop could be the step toward moving forward. The group will be limited in size to allow for deep engagement, and a minimum of six participants is required to run the program.
Sign Up Today
Join me in this powerful process.
Let's write a new chapter—one where the past no longer defines the future.
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