Brave on the Page

Brave on the Page: An expressive writing experience that helps you find your voice, explore your story and grow your courage.

Hi. I’ve created this offering because writing has helped me make sense of myself—and my place in the world—for as long as I can remember.

As a longtime author and storyteller with clinical training in mental health counseling, I now offer the transformative experience of uncensored words to paper through Brave on the Page, an expressive writing workshop that invites people of all ages to find their voice, explore their story, gain clarity, and grow their courage—on the page and in their life.

Let’s explore what awaits you through your own self discovery! Trust me, you’ll be awed by yourself.

Brave on the Page: Workshops for Groups, Schools, Retreats + Organizations

Two women are lying on yoga mats on a wooden deck outdoors, writing in notebooks. One woman has short hair, glasses, and a black sleeveless top. The other woman has long hair, glasses, a red headband, and tattoos on her arm. Colorful artwork with a silhouette of a seated figure is hanging on the background railing, with green trees visible beyond.

Group of eight smiling people taking a photo in front of a wooden wall with a lamp and a black poster with a silhouette of a child reading a book.

Students sitting at desks in a classroom, listening to a person holding a paper, with classroom decorations, photos, and a flag on the wall.

Brave on the Page is especially well-suited for groups who hold a lot — emotionally, creatively, or relationally:

Caregivers and helping professionals
Working women | entrepreneurs
Corporate ERGs (Employee Resource Group) gathered around shared identities, interests, or experiences
Educators | Students
Mental health–adjacent groups seeking reflective, expressive practices

Each experience is tailored to the needs, age, and context of the group.

Pricing determined by the needs of the group and/or duration of the event + workshop.

Inquire about bringing Brave on the Page to your group, school or event

Optional add on— Brave on the Page Live. Depending on the structure of our time together, we can curate a spoken word / open mic experience to give writers an opportunity to share their work with a larger audience.

Brave on the Page: Workshops for Individuals

A young man with curly hair and tattoos, wearing a blue shirt with a name tag that says 'John', is sitting at a table, writing on a notepad with a pen. There are two bottles of water on the table, and an older woman with short gray hair, wearing glasses and a red floral shirt, is sitting across from him, also writing on a notepad. A woman in a pink jacket is partially visible on the left side of the image, and books and magazines are on shelves in the background.

Open notebook with handwritten text on pages, a person with painted nails and rings on their fingers holding the notebook, a red pen resting on the left page, and loose papers on a white table.

Photographs displayed on a wooden table, including images of a broken heart, a glass with strings, the word 'BLASES' with hands, a roaring lion, a woman flipping her middle fingers, a person looking at a wildfire, a person with arms outstretched, a sunset over mountains, and a judge's gavel.

Brave on the Page is for individuals who are craving space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with themselves. This experience is especially meaningful for:

Individuals navigating change, caregiving, creative blocks, grief, or emotional overwhelm
Teens looking to benefit from increased emotional regulation, self-awareness, and mental well-being
Anyone who simply wants a deeper relationship with their own inner voice.

No writing experience is required. You curiosity and openheartedness is enough!

90-minute workshop — $85
4-week series — $325

Add yourself to my list for the next workshop

How a workshop works.

The 'how' is the beauty, clarity, and self-discovery that emerge when you bring an open heart and a willing spirit to the page. While no two Brave on the Page workshops are the same—shaped by the unique presence and courage of each writer—the foundation remains constant:

Creative guided prompts for writers to meander wherever inspiration beckons. As a lifelong artist, I love using unique entry points—like paint swatches, song lyrics, or elements from nature—to spark deep self-discovery.
Ample and spacious writing time
A safe, nurturing and supportive environment
Opportunity to share if desired

Workshops are offered in person and online, and are intentionally kept small to preserve depth, care, and connection.

A young woman sitting cross-legged on the floor, writing in a notebook. She is dressed in a cozy knit hat with a pom-pom, a gray jacket, and colorful patterned leggings. She has a beige blanket draped over her lap, and there are various items around her, including a purple notebook, a marker, and a small sock. The background features a wooden lattice wall, a window with a pink curtain, and a red sign titled 'Cacao Food of the Gods.'

A young woman reading from a book, standing next to a seated older woman, in a cozy indoor space with shelves and a window showing trees outside.

Open notebook with handwritten text on a person's left hand, holding a red pen, on a desk with printed documents in the background.

A person holding a Polaroid photo of a woman with red hair holding hands with a young girl, walking through a sunflower field.

Quiet writing time to explore thoughts and feelings without pressure or performance.

Creative Guided Prompts

Creative guided prompts that unlock insight, spark self discovery and connect participants to their inner voice and knowing.

Quiet Writing Time

An invitation to share with others, offering witnessing and affirmation — always optional.

Safe + Nurturing Environment

Experience enhanced emotional wellbeing in a safe, nurturing environment guided by a trained mental health professional.

Witnessing + Support

And why it works.

Because research supports how the act of writing changes the brain. Writing is a form of thinking (and more impactful when done by hand vs. typing). In 1980s, psychologist James Pennebaker developed a therapeutic technique called expressive writing to help patients process trauma and psychological challenges. He discovered that when people use personal or reflective writing to create mental distance from a feeling, challenge or happening — they experience increased emotional wellbeing, newfound clarity and a lighter ‘cognitive load’ (Johnston, 2025). In short, expressive writing helps to:

• Boost resilience

• Reframe experiences

• Regulate emotions

• Make meaning

• Spark self-discovery

• Cultivate belonging

And… the experience of translating thoughts to paper can be fun and satisfying! I have watched people surprise and amaze themselves with what they are able to communicate through writing that they didn’t know resided within. When we can witness this process for others, we remind one another we aren’t alone in our humanity. And THAT is one of the biggest gifts of all.

Johnston, E. R. (2025, January 1). Writing: The hobby that can rewire your brain and help you build resilience. The Independent. https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/health-and-families/writing-letter-books-mental-health-b2893335.html

Vase with pink flowers on a granite countertop outdoors with a wooded background and a small colorful yurt in the distance.

Reflections from Past Participants

“I really enjoyed the class and instructor. It helped me unlock my love for writing again and was cathartic.”

— Partipant, Mending Hearts Recovery Center

“Our Brave on the Page workshop with our caregivers was such an amazing session. They stayed on the call 20 minutes beyond our time sharing. It truly was powerful and hopefully something that can happen more often.”

— Alex Houston, Community Education Specialist, Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago

“I was surprised and proud of my work that came out of Marianne’s workshop. Highly recommend.”

— Andrea, Participant, Reading Rocks Bookstore