The Mythology of Me: Applying Poetry and Narrative Therapy to Personal Stories with Aaron Deutsch and Dr. Heather Pitamber

Saturday, November 2, 2024, 10am-2:30pm CST (includes a 30-minute lunch), in-person at Gemini Ink
Instructors: Aaron Deutsch and Dr. Heather Pitamber
Nonmember: $145; Member: $125; Student/Educator/Mil $75

*EARN CPE’S

TWO SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

From ancient myths to family gossip, humanity’s richness comes from its overflowing well of stories. Both personal narratives and imagined stories teach us about the world around us and influence how we live in it. What can we learn from rewriting our own personal stories into a life we have only imagined? 

In this 1-day generative workshop, co-led by poet Aaron Deutsch and Licensed Professional Counselor Heather Joy Pitamber, participants will explore the practice of Narrative Therapy, a counseling technique that empowers participants to “rewrite” their story for a future that reflects who they really are, what they are capable of, and what their purpose is. Then, we will practice applying this therapeutic tool to our own writing to generate compelling stories that carve out new possibilities. 

This class is open to writers of all skill levels 18+.

By the end of the class students will have: 

• A foundational overview of Narrative Therapy 
• Close readings and discussions of delicious poems and narratives designed to provide both grounding and inspiration for new works
• New, raw written materials to cultivate later

Heather Joy Pitamber is a licensed professional counselor passionate about service, learning, and growth.  With degrees in Philosophy, Psychology, French Literature, and Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Heather has dedicated her eclectic career in Europe and the United States to education and human services.  She is passionate about helping her clients and students find the awareness, insight, and empowerment they desire to create lives of meaning and purpose.  As an educator with a heart for wellness, Heather has cherished serving students and their families in public and private school settings, from elementary school to the university level, and as an independent academic consultant.  She is thrilled to continue serving her community’s diverse clientele through her private counseling practice in San Antonio, TX. 

Aaron Deutsch received his MFA in poetry with distinction from Texas State University, intending to acquire a lexicon to answer the wild, mystical questions the world around him seemed to be asking. Somehow, that journey led him to become a senior program manager with the United States Department of Defense, where he works to build regional security across South America and the Middle East alongside international partners. Efforting to establish and maintain effective communication, he still looks to poetics and linguistics to build shared goals across cultures, finding more similarities than differences in people worldwide. In his free time, he loves teaching creative writing classes, working on that ever-elusive first book, and spoiling his Boston Terrier Hamlet.