Zeina El Zein – Music Therapist, Lebanon
I discovered Susan Perrow by chance while browsing through the library at the center where I used to work with refugee children in Lebanon. Her book, Healing Stories for Challenging Behaviour, caught my eye—and little did I know, it would change everything.
As a music therapist, I encounter a lot of challenging behaviors and situations. I began reading stories from Susan’s book to the children during our sessions. The transformation was almost immediate. Tidy-up time became smoother. Jealousy and bullying softened. Children who once sat silently on the sidelines began to engage in play. The stories worked like gentle bridges, guiding the children—and me—toward healing.
When the war in Lebanon escalated, I was doing emergency interventions in schools and displacement centers. Again, I turned to Susan’s stories, and for the first time, I dared to write one of my own using the techniques I had learned. The feedbacks from parents were deeply encouraging, and I knew then that I wanted to immerse myself further into the world of healing stories.
So when I saw Susan offering an online workshop in collaboration with Tawan Sprouts in Thailand, I signed up immediately—and it was beyond amazing.
Susan opened a door to an infinite landscape of imagination and emotional depth. One of the most unforgettable moments during the workshop was a simple but powerful activity: she gave us two random words and asked us to create a story. My mind exploded with ideas—I literally got a headache from the sheer creative energy rushing through me. The possibilities were limitless.
Susan’s passion is contagious. Although the training was online, it never felt distant. Her presence, warmth, and clarity made it feel as though we were all in the same room. Her tools—like mind mapping, structure, and theme work—are not just techniques; they are lifelines for those of us working in crisis and care.
I especially loved the group work—collaboratively crafting a healing story with others. It was human, emotional, and incredibly deep.
One of the most personal and powerful takeaways was discovering that we can also write healing stories for ourselves. I had never considered that. But Susan shared a few examples during the training, and I gave it a try. That night, I poured my experiences—burnout, grief, fear—into a story. I cried as I wrote. And for the first time in what felt like forever, I slept like a baby.
This training is for everyone—regardless of background, profession, or age.
As a therapist, I believe now more than ever in the power of storytelling as a form of healing. Healing stories are a tool available to us all at any moment. This experience has moved me so deeply that I’m now seriously considering pursuing a master’s degree focused on healing stories. I’m currently exploring academic programs—either directly in therapeutic storytelling or through the broader field of expressive arts therapy, which I’m already involved in, not only to grow as a therapist but to bring this gift to more children, families, and communities, especially those living through conflict and displacement like in my country, Lebanon.
All my gratitude goes to Susan Perrow for her incredible body of work, her generous heart, and her decades of experience in developing and sharing this method of healing through story. Her approach is not only grounded in wisdom and practice but also deep compassion, and I feel honored to be one of the many who have been touched and inspired by her work.
Join Susan Perrow's online workshop this October, limited places still available
Therapeutic Storytelling
Addressing Challenging Behaviour and Challenging Situations through the Medium of Story
12.5 hours Online Training – 5 x 2.5 hour sessions
Dates: 13/14/15/28/29 October
Learn more HERE