Trauma to Poetry: How Embodied Healing Unlocks Creative Writing

Katy Dickson, Author of "The Tree & Me, A Polyvagal Poem" (a finalist in the 2025 National Indie Excellence Awards, Children's inspirational/motivational) joins Jan Winhall on July 24, 2025 on the live, interactive Embodied Dialogues Podcast. After a short grounding practice from Jan, Katy shares both professional and lived experience insights and reflections as an Occupational Therapist, deeply rooted embodied, trauma-informed practice. Conversation flows into her personal healing journey and how it reconnected her with a long-held love of language, wordsmithery and poetry, which gave life to "The Tree and Me: A Polyvagal Poem". Katy shares how that piece moved from a seed of an idea to publication, and the beautiful web of connection, support and synchronicity that followed. Katy gives a reading of the poem with one of the talented illustrators behind "The Tree & Me," Regan Desautels, and reflect on what’s next—dreams, hopes, and where this path may continue to lead. Formerly the founder of Attune, her own private practice supporting nervous system regulation through embodied approaches, Katy currently works as Principal OT at a private interdisciplinary Pediatric company, Words First Ltd., which places therapists in schools across London and beyond. Part of this role is to lead on a trauma-informed strategy in educational settings. Katy is also an Associate at Hemispheres, where she guides children and young people through Dr. Stephen Porges’ Safe & Sound Protocol. Beyond her professional roles, Katy lives in South East London, is a mother, and someone who carries trauma in her own system. Learn more about Katy at https://www.instagram.com/thetreeandme_/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-dickson-5629022b/