Description

Our collaboration with Vent Over Tea marked a significant moment for Scattered as it was our first major online workshop, bringing together participants from across Canada. This event, held during Mental Health Week, combined our mindfulness and automatic writing practices with Vent Over Tea’s renowned active listening techniques. The goal was to create a holistic and supportive environment that emphasized self-compassion and self-expression.

The workshop was divided into three main segments, mirroring the successful format we had previously used in in-person settings. We began with an introduction to mindfulness and the Headspace Method, helping participants feel centered and ready to explore their thoughts. The first session featured a guided meditation, which led seamlessly into an automatic writing exercise. Participants were encouraged to write continuously, without editing or filtering their thoughts, which allowed them to channel any feelings or worries onto the page.

The integration of Vent Over Tea’s active listening techniques added a unique and deeply therapeutic element. After each writing session, participants were placed into small breakout groups where they could share their writing or simply discuss their experiences in a judgment-free space. The trained facilitators from Vent Over Tea guided these conversations, emphasizing empathetic listening and validating each participant's feelings. This created a sense of community and connection, even in a virtual setting.

The workshop concluded with a reflection period where participants expressed how the combination of mindfulness, writing, and active listening had allowed them to feel more understood and supported. The overwhelmingly positive response validated our hybrid approach and reinforced the importance of partnerships in expanding our reach and impact. This collaboration highlighted the power of combining different therapeutic techniques to promote mental wellness and inspired future projects that could blend our methods with those of other like-minded organizations.