Narrative Therapy Courses
Life is a great tapestry… we are each a thread in an immense and miraculous pattern.
- Albert Einstein
Our blend of Biography Work & Autobiographical Healing is suitable for:
Using life writing techniques as a pathway to personal transformation.
People wanting to explore narrative therapy and neuroplasticity.
Gaining insights and techniques Into writing a life review and gaining a 360 degree overview of their life.
Understanding archetypes and the shadow characters we play out which impede our self-actualisation.
Those wanting to look at the science of life passages, such as Erik Erikson's psychosocial development and how one has fared with life stages traversed.
Educators, social workers & spiritual practitioners interested in using biography work as a reflective, developmental and trauma work tool.
Writing for Self-Discovery
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The Surrounds
Work inside or take time outside in the elements to soak in birdsong and nature
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The Space
A tranquil, restful space with bushland views and access to starry skies
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Local Walks
Chase waterfalls after dark on a local spectacular floodlit night walk in Katoomba
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Local Waterfalls
Our retreat centre is within walking distance of healing Mini Ha Ha waterfall
Holistic Biography Work
Testimonials
I didn’t really know what to expect but it’s definitely been one of the best things I’ve done. Marcus, you have given me such a valuable gift - I feel uplifted because of the “truths” we discovered together and emboldened by your words as I embark on this next stage. I greatly appreciate all that you have given me and your great generosity of spirit.
- Rosslyn Lam, author of For the Love of Difference
Absolutely wonder-filled! I’ve been challenged and supported and inspired. Marcus is so well read and a pleasure to listen to. The framework given, the gentle and varied suggestions on subject matter and the time to write was invaluable. So much to unpack, thank you Marcus.
- Suzanne Weller
Loved my writing retreat so much! It is a safe and lovely space. Marcus is one of the most open, wise and secure humans to hold space for your inner creative work. I will be back and recommending this to everyone who I feel needs to escape daily life to birth a story that is waiting to be told.
- Tara Shelton
Stimulating. Inspiring. Confronting. Educational. Eye-opening. Humbling. Challenging. I wasn’t expecting to be so deeply moved. Loved the whole course!
- Rick Bolstler
Each session ‘primed the pump’ for some heartfelt writing. There was a sort of alchemy at work it seemed. It was great, thank you!
- Mandy G
An excellent experience - the material was very articulate with heaps of resources to research and continue developing inner exploration. This course felt like the beginning of a significant chapter!
-Anon
Life Tapestry Writing (Spiritual Biography)
Program Outline
Holistic Biography
Day One
Morning Session 9:30am - 12:30pm
Carl Jung recounted a pivotal dream from his youth where he struggled through a dark, foggy landscape while shielding a single, fragile candle flame from the wind. He realised his survival depended on keeping the light alive, while a gigantic, dark, shadowy figure stalked him from behind.
By refusing to run away in terror, Jung recognized that his task was to protect and nurture his own conscious light, even while being closely followed by his darker, instinctual nature. This realization laid the groundwork for his entire life's work regarding the individuation process—the integration of the conscious ego and the unconscious shadow.
This first session explores the notion of spiritual or holistic biography and locating the dominant qualities or themes to your life.
Family Origins and Inheritance
You will also explore the context into which you were born such as your family history, cultural background, family myths and stories and the gifts and burdens you’ve inherited.
Lunch 12:30pm
Afternoon Session 1:00pm - 4:00pm
This session explores your educational journey and the evolving story of your work life—not simply as a career, but as an expression of your values, gifts and purpose.
Through guided biography exercises, you'll explore the jobs, careers, vocations and creative pursuits that have shaped your journey, paying particular attention to the moments when your path changed direction or took an unexpected turn.
You'll gain an understanding on how your sense of vocation has matured over time, how service to others has influenced your choices, and where your greatest sense of meaning has been found. By revisiting these experiences, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how your calling has unfolded—and how it may continue to evolve in the years ahead.
Waterfall Walk (Optional) 4:00 - 6:00pm
Should the weather and your energy levels be accomodating, you can use this time to take in a nearby bushwalk to our local waterfall.
Alternatively, you might indulge in some art activities or enjoy one of the more physical activities we host (mountain biking / stand up paddleboarding).
Dinner 6:30 - 7:30pm
Enjoy a home cooked, organic meal or travel out to try one of Katoomba’s local dining facilities.
Evening (Optional) 7:30pm onwards
There are a range of optional evening activities for you to enjoy, such as listening to or reading poetry, life stories, or enjoying a thought-provoking film or inspiring documentary. Other options include self-guided meditation and yoga.
Day Two
Breakfast 8:30am
Enjoy a homemade breakfast, tea or coffee on the verandah whilst the kookaburras and other local birds sing.
Morning Sessions 9:30am - 12:30pm
One of the central themes of psychobiography and narrative therapy is the understanding that life's greatest challenges often become the doorway to our deepest growth. This session explores the pivotal trials and thresholds that have shaped your life, including experiences of illness, grief, trauma, failure, midlife transitions, existential crises and spiritual awakenings.
Rather than viewing these experiences as isolated hardships, you'll learn to recognise them as transformative passages that invite new levels of resilience, wisdom and purpose. Through reflective writing you'll discover how periods of loss and uncertainty have often become the very catalysts for your healing, authenticity and personal transformation.
Lunch 12:30pm
Afternoon Sessions 1:30pm - 4:00pm
The final session invites you to explore the beliefs, values and experiences that have shaped the person you have become. You will examine your core beliefs, ethical foundations, philosophy of life and spiritual practices. Recognise how your worldview has changed over time and locate the experiences that have transformed your perspective.
The section also turns toward the deeper questions of legacy—considering the contributions you have made, the lives you have influenced, the wisdom you have gathered, and the work that still calls you forward. By integrating these insights, you will develop a richer appreciation of your life's purpose and the enduring gifts you offer to future generations.
Cost: $590 for 2 day narrative therapy retreat. $50 off for a weekday program.
$850 for a 3 day, deeper dive.
Inclusions: Our retreats include accommodation, meals, workbooks, counselling and activities.
Optional session of bibliotherapy. Learn more about our bibliotherapy service.
Location: Katoomba, Blue Mountains NSW.
Your Facilitator
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Marcus Dabb had been always drawn to personal development before moving into adult education as his career path.
His higher education in teaching was complemented by his time working in employment services, recruitment, outdoor education and the TAFE always with a view to helping people discover and develop more authentic vocational paths.
While undertaking teacher training at the Waldorf / Steiner College he learned about holistic biography work through the lens of Rudolf Steiner's spiritual science (Anthroposophy). Rather than viewing life as a series of isolated events, he understood that each person's biography follows meaningful developmental rhythms in which physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions interact.
Writing has been an integral part of his life. After studying creative writing at university and moving into social work, he employed writing activities with clients to help them find empowerment.
Narrative therapy is something he has done with the long term unemployed, the incarcerated, youth resistant to schooling, those struggling with mental health as well as people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.
Over the last decade he has taught week long life writing courses in which people can create their memoirs or draw on reflective writing to make sense of their life’s journey.
His writing programs also veer into eldership work and the importance of understanding and integrating one’s past in order to move into the phase of legacy work we are all tasked with.
In addition to teaching life writing to groups and individuals, he has published a book which incorporates life writing called, The Different Drummer: Follow your own beat to find enlivening work and lead an extraordinary life.
What is Narrative Therapy?
Narrative therapy is a counselling approach that views people as separate from their problems. Developed by Michael White and David Epston, it empowers individuals to become the experts in their own lives by helping them identify their core values and rewrite the personal stories that shape their identity.
As we become aware of ourselves as storytellers we realise we can use our stories to heal and make ourselves whole.
~ Susan Wittig Albert
Empowerment Through Reframing
Our culture too often pathologizes or tars us with labels. Holistic biography work helps us explore events across time to alter "problem-dominated" narratives into stories of strength. It introduces the idea that we all require woundings in life to be broken open and seed our larger selves. Rather than falling into victimhood, narrative therapy works to help us locate the gifts in our woundings and to move into the role of wounded healer.
In countering the effects of a problem-saturated story, it is important to develop as rich, detailed, and meaningful a counter-story as possible.
– Jill Freedman and Gene Combs
Group Writing Workshop
If you’d prefer to take part in my group life writing workshop in Bellingen consider joining me at Camp Creative.
Here is a poetic piece written by one of my participant’s about her experience doing my class:
A
week in the rainforest
To
focus on me
Camped
in a field
Surrounded
by trees
A
week in a tent
Woken
by birds
Tiny
little wrens
Big
black cockatoos
A
week away from obligation
To
do as a I please
No
cries for food
No
messes to clean
A
week to dig deep
Into
my heart, into my soul,
To
rewrite stories
Internally
told
A
week to wake
To
the sound of rain
In
deep imagination
No
intention, but to create
A
week to be in flow
In
sync with rhythms and thoughts
No
one coughing or blurting
Chewing
or slurping
A
week to connect
With
strangers, now friends
Through
verse and words
Unique
story’s blend
A
week to find home within
In
Bellingen
A
yearning now sated
Community
un-gated
Blue Mountains Retreats
“Great things are done when people and mountains meet;
this is not done by jostling in the street.”
- William Blake
Take in a local stargazing tour at night
Rejuvenate in the Blue Mountains natural wonders
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Breath Work Retreat
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Embracing Eldership Retreat
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Career Retreat
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Family Constellations
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Family Healing Retreat
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Internal Family Systems Retreat
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Healing Retreat
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Health Retreat
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Life Purpose Retreat
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Love Retreat
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Menopause Retreat
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Maiden to Mother Retreat
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Men's Retreat / Women's Retreat
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Mental Health Retreat
A program which focuses on working through mental health issues in a more holistic way that mainstream methodogies. Mental Health Retreat
Narrative Therapy Course
A program to explore your life’s journey and reframe events in a way that is empowering and helps you feel part of the sea of life rather than an isolated stream. Narrative Therapy
Midlife Crisis Retreat
Midlife crisis presents us with a great opportunity to transition from the morning of life into the afternoon of life. Midlife Retreat
Mystical Retreat
A week long intensive where you learn the art of astrology, numerology, tarot & sacred geometry. Mystical Retreat
Readers Retreat
Nestle away with herbal tea from the garden, all your meals taken care of and beautiful bush surrounds. Catch up on your TBR (to be read) book pile and leave lighter, calmer and replenished. Reading Retreat
Rewilding Retreat
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Sacred Geometry Course
Create sacred geometry, learn the 9 numerology archetypes and explore your soul blueprint. Sacred Geometry Retreat
Self Discovery Retreat
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Self Love Retreat
Ideal for singles working on relationship patterns & those who could use some self care & greater appreciation for who they are. Self Love Retreat
Silent Retreat
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Spiritual Awakening Retreat
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There is an energetic aspect to money often overlooked. Explore the psychology of money & take a holistic approach to managing it . Wealth Retreat
Wellbeing Retreat
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Writing Retreat
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Writing Retreat (Program #2)
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Yoga Retreat
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7 Seventh Avenue,
Katoomba, NSW
0402959946