Media
About Me
My name is Catherine (Cat) Skinner.
I'm a reflective writing coach, a story coach, an indie author, a secular minister and a mom. I've also been an actor, an event planner, a burlesque madame and an advocate for unconventional family structures. The common thread woven through all these experiences is a love of words, the ability to nurture, and a talent for creating safe space through reflective writing.
One of the only journal therapists in Canada, I'm certified in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Grief Counselling and Divine Feminine Mythology.
I'm constantly expanding my knowledge base to better serve clients in journal therapy workshops and private sessions.
I help my clients make powerful connections between the written word and their unique inner landscape. Each reflective writing workshop and session is a safe space where we bridge the gap between the mundane and the sacred, drawing on archetype and our collective consciousness to offer both intuitive and practical healing tools.
Writing is the key to our highest truth and my work is to guide my clients as they connect, unpack, and re-write the stories of their lives.
About Reflective Writing
The idea of therapeutic journal writing originated in the 1960's with Dr. Ira Progoff's Intensive Journal Method. This diverse approach to healing has now become a stand-alone supplement to healing like art therapy or music therapy, with specialized practitioners and therapists alike using this tool with their clients.
The major difference between keeping a regular journal and reflective writing is that the writing isn't about creating a narrative or tracking an agenda, it's more intentional and introspective and challenges the writer to delve deeper into their emotion and experience with their writing.
In a typical reflective writing workshop or private session, thoughts are articulated on paper, and then discoveries are examined and a dialogue emerges between the client and the therapeutic writing practitioner.
How It Works:
Reflective writing promotes a deeper awareness of your story, a stronger sense of self, a clear articulation of your beliefs and values and of the self-talk and thought patterns which inform the way you move through the world. Intentional writing also relieves stress and tension.
Where Can Reflective Writing Help?
Reflective Writing has been shown to help with the following:
Post Traumatic stress
Anxiety
Depression
Grief and loss
Chronic illness issues
Substance abuse
Eating disorders
Interpersonal relationship issues
Marriage and relationship challenges
Communication skill issues
Low self-esteem
Creative blocks
Defining new career paths
Developing a self-care practice
For studies and articles on the benefits of reflective writing, please visit my resources page.
Image Gallery
DOWNLOAD FILES
Collaborations
Get in touch.
I’d love to talk to you more about reflective writing. Kindly fill out the form below with any media inquiries or interview requests.
