PRESS KIT
Nicolle Nattrass CAC II
SHORT BIO:
Nicolle Nattrass’s professional expertise is a result of her distinct and unique careers in Counseling, Theatre, Writing and Teaching. A BFA graduate from the University of Victoria in Theatre led her to become a professional Jessie nominated actress (CAEA) and playwright (PGC). Nicolle learned to master her own artistic and creative practice of using Journaling for self-care, which has led her to a fulfilling career teaching others the value of Journaling. In 2007, Nicolle became a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC II) and began to explore the impact of Journaling with clients in treatment, after-care, distant delivery as well as private workshops. In 2013, she developed a curriculum and program which was approved by the CACCF and launched for the first time with Renascent Treatment Centre. She continues to advocate for the use of creative modalities as an access point for clients (including children) to help improve mental health, specifically to increase positive mental health and help heal and recover trauma, stress, addiction and anxiety. Nicolle is now the creator of four Creative Journaling programs and curriculum workbooks designed from a trauma-informed lens with a focus on creative self-care. Also on her list of accomplishments is solo book author, contributing author to three new books, co-leader of retreat weekends and performer/writer of 3 plays, including Mamahood: Bursting into Light.
MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS:
International Association for Journal Writing– IAJW, Member of the IAJW Journal Council
Playwrights Guild of Canada– Guild-Playwright
Canadian Actors Equity Association– Professional Actor/ Theatre
Union of BC Performers/ACTRA– Professional Actor/Film/TV
CACCF CEU Provider– CACCF Approved Course, CJ: Self-Care for the Helping Professional (6 Ceus)
CCPC Global– CAC II, Certified Addiction Counselor Level II
LONG BIO:
Nicolle Nattrass’s professional expertise is a result of her distinct and unique careers in Counseling, Theatre, Writing and Teaching. A BFA graduate from the University of Victoria in Theatre led her to become a professional Jessie nominated actress (CAEA) and playwright (PGC). As she learned to master her own artistic and creative practice of using Journaling for self-care, she stepped out and decided to volunteer at a women’s alcohol & drug treatment centre in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Fast forward to 2007, she became a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC II) and began to explore the impact of Journaling with clients in treatment, after-care, distant delivery as well as private workshops. In 2013, she developed a curriculum and program which was approved by the CACCF and launched for the first time with Renascent Treatment Centre. She continues to advocate for the use of creative modalities as an access point for clients (including children) to help improve mental health, specifically to increase positive mental health and help heal and recover trauma, stress, addiction and anxiety. She is now the creator of four Creative Journaling programs and curriculum workbooks designed from a trauma-informed lens with a focus on creative self-care. She is a member of the IAJW Journal Council with the International Association for Journal Writing and an advocate for Maternal Mental Health with the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative. (Featured in the anthology, You Are Never Alone July 2021). She is also a proud contributing author of two books that highlight experts in Journaling, Transformational Journaling for Coaches & Clients: The Complete Guide to the Benefits of Personal Writing (Routledge Press, July 2021) and The Great Book of Journaling (Mango Publishing, 2022) both co-edited by Lynda Monk, Executive Director of the IAJW and well-known psychologist & author of over 50 books, Eric Maisel. Nicolle is also co-founder and facilitator of Live Your Best Story, a transformational weekend retreat held at locations around the globe. A dedicated counselor and consultant in personal and professional creative self-care, Nicolle lives with her family in a small community by the sea on Vancouver Island, British Columbia BC.
SPEAKER BIO:
Nicolle Nattrass has over 25 years of performing professionally as an actor as well as delivering award winning Keynotes at Expos, Health Shows and Mental health conferences. She is one of the top experts in the field of Journaling, an Addiction Counselor (CAC II) and the founder of multiple CACCF Approved, Creative Journaling Programs, Courses and Webinars. Solo author of Just the Two of Us and contributing author in 4 new books in 2021, Nicolle is using her expertise to uplift and inspire others to heal using creative journaling as an accessible tool when feelings are too much and words are not enough.
Interview Questions:
- The tag line for Just the Two of Us is thought provoking. Can you explain what “a soft place for tender hearts to land” means?
- You had a personal experience with trauma that led to the writing of this book. Would you elaborate on how you know this works so well?
- Why is journaling so beneficial when processing trauma?
- How can families use this book to help their children feel less anxious?
- What is the key element that children who have been through trauma need to heal?
- You say more than once in the book that perfection and expectation is not a part of Creative Journaling and trauma healing. Why is that so important to mention?
- Parents aren’t the only people that can help a child journal through their trauma. What other settings/scenarios would be appropriate to use Creative Journaling?
- Can you explain more about what Social Stories are?
- You started out as an actor who has penned several plays. How did that experience prepare you for authoring a book?
- What would be your number one tip to anyone who is trying to heal or help someone else heal from their trauma?
PUBLICATIONS:
Just the Two Of Us … A soft place for tender hearts to land
Just the Two of Us is a trauma-informed guide on how to use Creative Journaling as a key recovery tool to help children (ages 4 and up) to connect and process stress, anxiety and trauma in a post-Covid, digitally distracted world. Creative Journaling is a soft place to land when feelings are too much, and words are not enough.
* Available on Amazon Canada here
* Available on Amazon US here
Digital copy also available via Square Up-shop
Parent Consultations available with Digital copy purchase.
Co-authored Book Publications:
* Contributing Author for Chapter 13 –
The Great Book of Journaling, Learn Journal Writing from 50 Top Journaling Experts
Contributing Author- Chapter on Journaling with Children
You Are Not Alone: An Anthology of perinatal mental health stories from conception to postpartum
by the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative
* Contributing Author – featuring part of autobiographical solo show, Mamahood: Bursting into Light
Media:
Video Interviews:
Click Images for links to videos
Meet The Author Nicolle Nattrass on The Zebra Ink TV
Interview with Pamela Sylvan’s, Mojo in Fifteen.
A Live Discussion about my book with Homeschool Mama Care
Interview with International Association for Journal Writing/ IAJW
Interview in Conversations in Courage, 2020
Podcasts:
The Stuph File Program/Show #0651 on Audea
The Homeschool Mama/ Self-Care Podcast
Episode 49/ How to Journal as a Tool to Process Stress, Anxiety, and Trauma
Articles/Just the Two of Us
Article on Family Self-Care Journaling Tips- Island Parent Magazine, link here
Link here, Mari’s “Createwritenow” Journaling Blog~
Link here for Circle the Child/ Consciously Woman Article
Link here for IAJW article on Benefits of Creative Journaling for Self-Care
Link here featured in PowerUp Education
FUN FACTS:
- In Grade 5, my English Teacher created a special award for me called the ” Creative Writing Award.”
- I still have my first ever diary/lock and key.
- I worked front line as an addiction counselor for 4. 5 years.
- I have written and performed, 3 solo plays as well as 3 CHRISTMAS THEMED PLAYS!
- In 2020, received nomination for Women Who Inspire Conference & featured as a Keynote Speaker.
- I had a principal role in the TV series, X-Files playing the character of “Misty Nagata.”
- My introduction to the Vancouver Theatre performance scene occurred when I stepped into the role of “Anne Frank” less than 24 hours notice in the production of “The Diary of Anne Frank.”