Healing Writing Circles for Patients, Survivors, & Caregivers

Date and time (to be determined based on participant preference)

One of the most challenging aspects of dealing with cancer and other significant illnesses is the sense of a loss of control. Doctors are the cancer experts, but we’re the experts of our own bodies and emotions. One of the most powerful tools a cancer patient can employ is self-expression.

Scientific studies have backed this up, demonstrating that expressive writing can be a powerful healing modality. If you are a patient or caregiver and want a supportive place to explore your sadness, anger, joy, ambivalence, and other emotions stemming from your diagnosis, this circle is for you.

No experience is required—just an open heart, mind, and good Wi-Fi. I’ll introduce the practice, provide an evocative poem prompt, and guide you through a writing session. After, you’ll get a chance to share your writing with the group. (That’s where the real magic comes in.) Join us to write, share, and connect.

I do this work because I am the work. I first encountered an expressive writing class at the UCSF Cancer Center during my cancer treatment. I had been a professional writer for over 25 years before my diagnosis, but this type of writing is what cracked me open, dissolved the grip of my perfectionism, and helped me get through my illness. As soon as I was declared NED, I completed my Wild Writing Teacher Training with founder Laurie Wagner. Since then, I’ve been on a mission to Johnny Appleseed this therapeutic writing practice to other patients and survivors. You can read sample blog posts about my first-hand experience with writing and illness on my blog.

“In Free-Range Writing, the goal is not to write well but, by telling our stories honestly and vulnerably, we can write ourselves to wellness.”

I’ve run dozens of healing circles for UCSF cancer patients and survivors, and I currently lead therapeutic writing circles monthly for the cancer support group Colontown. I’ve gotten additional teaching and facilitation training from Healing Global Circles, Empowered Patient Leaders certification at PALTOWN, and Storytelling Facilitating Stories for Impact with Real Food, Real Stories.

Contact me at meeshahalm@gmail.com to join a healing writing circle from the comforts of your own home, and sign up for my newsletter to receive free writing prompts and learn about upcoming live writing sessions, digital courses, retreats, and pop-up workshops.

Here’s what cancer patients say about my healing writing workshops:

“A diagnosis can alter your life down to your cells. Meesha’s class offers a gift to her students. A space to be honest, a place to unload a burden that no one else needs to hold, and an opportunity to meet creative friends who will move with you past the cliche, “You are not alone.” Free-Range Writing encourages you to tap into parts of yourself you didn’t realize were there, giving you genuine strength. If you stumble into the opportunity to write with Meesha, say yes, and you will transform.

Jenny, elementary school teacher

“This was totally out of my comfort zone and I’m so glad I did it. I had an emotional release that I did not know I needed. Unfortunately, this morning I found out that my CEA jumped quite a bit after my short stint dancing with NED. I feel compelled to get the journal out and continue writing. Thank you for providing me with and encouraging this new outlet. My resistance to writing is generally due to my perfectionism so the Free-Range Writing was liberating. Meesha, thank you so much.”

Samantha, patient