Creative writing mental health drop-in support group

An online Self-Discovery Creative Writing program for Mental Health, Trauma and Addiction.

Drop-In Group

Wednesdays
9am pst

A unique and helpful creative writing program specifically designed for mental health, addiction and trauma.

Now open to the public.

Maia Akiva

Join us for a weekly drop-in mental health creative writing support group using a unique and engaging creative writing program for mental health, addiction and trauma.

This curriculum has been facilitated very successfully in mental health, trauma and addiction treatment centers for the past 8 years. It has helped hundreds of people with their mental health challenges by using self-discovery creative writing as part of their mental health healing journey.

Are you on a healing path? Is your mental health important to you? Are you working on connecting to yourself and others in a more fulfilling and healthy ways? Are you working on loving yourself through the challenges of self-acceptance? Do you feel stuck? Do you feel like your mind is your enemy?

YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A WRITER. THIS GROUP IS NOT A PROFESSIONAL WRITING GROUP. IT IS A HEALING SUPPORT GROUP.

Register Now

Types of Mental Health this program addresses

Depression

Lack of passion

Anxiety

Shame

Connections

Relationship with yourself

Addiction-Recovery

Procrastination

Beating yourself up/being hard on yourself

Self-abandonment

Overthinking

Negative self-talk

The self-discovery mental health creative writing program is for people who are on a healing journey and who desire to add creativity to that journey.

You do not need to be a writer, as this is not a writing class. This is a mental health self-exploration and support group that uses writing to deal with mental health topics like depression, addiction-recovery, trauma, negative self-talk, motivation, perfectionism, procrastination, connection and more.
We welcome participants of every gender, ages 18 and up, from any walks of life, and from a diverse range of ethnic, cultural backgrounds and countries. We're committed to making this program a safe space for all. You can choose to share (or not, you decide). The goal is self-exploration in a non-judgmental environment.

The people who benefit most from this program are those who've had some success in therapy and/or coaching, but still have some stubborn patterns they'd like to explore in a creative way. Self-Discovery writing can often help to discover some of the missing puzzle piece in these cases.

It is important to note that this program is a support group, not group therapy. Because we write about challnging feelings and thoughts, it will likely stir some things up for you. If you've never done any kind of personal growth work before, have active thoughts of self-harm, are in an abusive relationship, or are currently in crisis, this program will not be the right level of support for you at this time. Please consult with a therapist if you are experiencing significant challenges. If you are currently seeing a therapist, then this program may be a helpful addition to your therapeutic work. Please discuss it with your therapist first before registering.

Register Now

The creative writing support group helps you practice being present, connecting and exploring yourself using journaling, metaphorical writing, imagination prompts, and magical realism writing amongst others.

Writing prompts examples:
"You are going to be cloned. Write an instruction sheet for your clone on how to be you." "Invent a potion for your own healing." “Pick a color you don’t like. Describe that color’s mental health problems and how that color deals with its problems.” “Going on a first date with your pain and healing.” And many more...

If you're still unsure if this program is the right fit for your needs, please use our calendar to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.

Schedule Here
Register Now
FAQ
What is your refund policy?
I’m sorry but there are no refunds. If something unexpected happens that prevents you from participating, you can transfer your course fee to the next dates available.
The weekly group will be a mix of journaling and creative writing prompts using metaphorical writing, imagination prompts, and magical realism writing amongst others. You can always choose how much to write and how to express yourself in your writing. This is a non-judgmental group.
We will start the group with a short introduction to the topic. You will be given the writing prompt. You will then be given a time to write. We will open the group to sharing. Sharing is optional. We will then have closing remarks, Q&A.
The weekly Zoom group will not be recorded to protect everyone’s privacy. It is a good practice of self-accountability. If you must miss a week, the writing prompts can be sent to you to do at home.
The group is for anyone who is working on their mental health and wants to add writing to their healing path. You do not have to be a writer to join this program.
It is important to note that this program is a support group, not group therapy. Because we write about challenging feelings and thoughts, it will likely stir some things up for you. If you've never done any kind of personal growth work before, have active thoughts of self-harm, are in an abusive relationship, or are currently in crisis, this program will not be the right level of support for you at this time. Please consult with a therapist if you are experiencing significant challenges. If you are currently seeing a therapist, then this program may be a helpful addition to your therapeutic work. Please discuss it with your therapist first before registering.
The weekly groups are 60 minutes long.
We offer a payment plan. Please register now for a few options. If you need more specific payment plan, please email: contact@maiaakiva.com.
No. This program is open for anyone. We welcome participants of every gender, ages 18 and up, from any walks of life, and from any diverse range of ethnic, cultural backgrounds and countries. We're committed to making this program a safe space for all.
Yes. This is not a writing class. It is a mental health support group that uses self-discovery writing as a tool for self-exploration. We don’t care how much you write and your level of writing. This group and writing prompts are for you to work on your own healing.

Here's what people are saying...

Skye Kang

 

I took a couple of your workshops in the past, I had a very difficult time with it in class, but when I got home that night, the dialogue kept pouring out on paper. As a result, I came to face a lot of life issues/fears and I started to understand myself. I then took some baby steps to accomplish tiny goals - I wanted to thank you for your much-needed insights and inspiration.

Bernice Novela

 

Oh my goodness, Maia, how can I say thank you enough? You're amazing! You got me to tap into some major uncharted territory and now I get to have a whole new experience with myself. By the way, the morning after, I woke up and naturally felt like playing the piano before heading out to work. That never happens!

Kristen Arnebergin healer and writer

I attended Maia's Course. I had a great time and walked away with a technique that I will no doubt use frequently in my healing journey. Thankfully, her facilitation opened up aspects to my writing process that had been dogging me for some time. I just couldn't wrap my brain or heart around what was happening. As a result of the Course, I've been able to create a writing plan, stick to it and get out of my own way. Thank you Maia!

Nancy writer and actress

Thank you so much for your generous, patient and kind heart yesterday. You were able to so gently uncover blocks I thought I had already smashed…Welp. I struggle with permission to express how I feel and draw my boundaries, and those are really a detriment to my life and work. You created such an incredible safe space that creatively drew out deep layers of murk. I felt exposed in a really exciting way. I felt vulnerable and that allowed for compassion. I have no doubt that this work will change how I approach myself, but more importantly, your Course has given me a taste and tools to live more openly and bravely. So much gratitude!!

Marsena Abella @awomansavenue

Maia's Course was not what I expected it was so much more, it wasn't just a workshop of handouts but to go within to identify what emotions, beliefs, fears, etc you're holding onto that are causing the block(s). The Course is worth so much more than the fee & best learning I've had in a long time!

Aaron Kemparea writer

Maia Akiva's Course was a watershed moment for me creatively and a literal turning point in my consciousness. Not only did I learn what was holding me back creatively, but I also uncovered lifelong mechanisms at work in my psyche of which I was completely unaware. Maia was able to help me deconstruct the voice behind my creative blocks and the blocks in other areas of my life and counter them with tangible, valid de-programming. She was a pleasure to work with at all times and I highly recommend that anyone feeling stuck in art or in life take her Course.

Robin Streichler, M.A. Writer and Certified Coach

Maia's Course helped me become aware of the various battling and blaming voices within me which argued over my productivity level. I could finally see how exhausting it has been subjecting myself to these contentious internal dialogues for all these years. Maia offered invaluable insights, tools and support to help me accept and be kinder to all parts of myself. As I become more skilled at speaking to myself in more generative and constructive ways, I am certain it will manifest in more creative productivity and even improve my relationships and communication with others. Thank you, Maia!

Sarah P.Sales

I had been stuck in my career for years. I had an idea of what I wanted to do and even how best to get it done but somehow taking the practical steps eluded me. I just couldn't move forward and I was miserable. After working with Maia Akiva all that changed and more! She took me through a creative exercise that allowed me to uncover what was keeping me stuck. It wasn't what I expected. From that point on I was able to make a shift that affected not only my career but every area of my life including my health. I suffered from high-blood pressure and was on medication. Not any more. I was depressed. Not any more. Working with Maia unleashed a truth that I was able to accept, adjust for and have since been more joyful than I can ever remember being. I wish this kind of peace, optimism, health and forward movement for everyone and as such I can't recommend Maia highly enough!

Talia Gcomputer programmer

I started working with Maia to get clarity about my career and what do I want to do next in my profession. Maia's coaching and guidance was everything I needed and more. Maia helped navigate through the vast information and decision making that was in front of me. She helped me get clear about what I want instead of what I should do and helped me navigate through my fears and lies to myself. And to find practical options for me to move forward in my career. I feel ready and willing for the next step of my professional life.

Jacqui FauniProgram Coordinator at The Writers Junction and writer

Maia has this way of getting to the heart of what really causes blocks. I had the privilege of taking her Course, and it was incredibly powerful and inspiring. I learned so much about myself, how I really feel, what I need to work on, and how to deal with and channel my feelings so that I can get back to actually doing what I love doing most. Taking a Course with Maia is a truly life-changing opportunity that you need to experience for yourself. Thanks so much, Maia!

Sherri DelaplaneWim Hof Method Instructor

Maia gave me a lot to think about and I tend to have ripples of effect for weeks in my personal learning process. I appreciate Maia attentiveness and focus and especially her commitment to supporting my own answers from within. I can take the information she gave me and use it to improve my work as well as nourish my inner critic. I recommend sessions with Maia to anyone that would like to shift from where they are to where they want to be.

Cortney Matzmusician & creative coach

I'm so glad I attended this! I've experienced a lot of coaching and workshopping in my personal and professional life, and it's rare to connect so thoroughly with content the way I did with the exercises Maia had us do. I had NO idea that my internal creative life was so volatile! Maia delivers on the premise she set.

Maia Akiva is a professional speaker, trauma informed trainer, performer and a writer in Los Angeles. Her unique approach encourages audiences to embrace their relationships with their emotions and feelings as a path to success, happiness, freedom and fulfillment.

She specializes in self-discovery, self-empowerment, creativity and creating motivational entertainment, with workshops and her fictional podcast, Interview with Myself —in which she interviews her feelings and emotions as guests on the show.

Maia reimagines self-help methods in a dynamic blend of insight and humor for a flourishing everyday life. With outside-the-box learning experiences, meditations, and stories that personify and realize abstract emotions, Maia guides her audience through the journey of self-discovery that she is inspired to navigate every day.

Originally from Israel, Maia teaches creative unblocking and stress relief to companies like Hulu, the City of Santa Monica, Vans, Frame, 72 and Sunny, and others. Her unique creative presentations are featured at The Goomi Group, a Corporate Wellness company in the US.

She founded a business creating original curriculum and facilitating Self-Discovery Creative Writing groups in Addiction, Trauma and Mental Health Treatment centers that now has 3 facilitators including her facilitating groups around Los Angeles CA. Some of her clients includes: ReConnect Integrative Trauma Treatment Center, Resilience Treatment Center for Mental Health, Sanctuary Treatment Center and many more.

She is now training therapists, writers, mental health stuff and organizations on her Mental Health Self-Discovery Creative Writing curriculum.

She is an active member of Epiphany Space, an artist community in Hollywood, and leads workshops for WriteGirl, Models of Pride, and Caltech upholding her personal mission: Empowering everyone for self-help by making friends with our emotions.

Come say hi at: www.maiaakiva.com