We do not live in the experiences we have, but the narratives of our experiences. Take some time to write it. We are here to guide you and support you in this beautiful but challenging process, so you can integrate moments of your life into a coherent story.
Psychotherapist, Director of CandleX
2024

Storytelling is a key part CandleX’s approach to raising mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and fostering authentic human connection. As early as 2016, we started “My Story with Depression | Column Launch”, which brings together community-submitted stories about personal experiences with mental health. The initiative, which includes Teens Open Letter and My Emotions, My Stories, has been away for members of the community to share their personal struggles through writing.
When we are faced with life’s challenges, it can be difficult to process our feelings and vulnerabilities. Expressive writing is a healthy way to explore and give voice to the thoughts & emotions we hold inside. The process of storytelling helps us to find meaning in our experiences and to understand the narrative we tell ourselves, as well as those around us. It enables us to acknowledge difficult emotions, release stress, and gain clarity that promotes healing and growth.
If you are interested in exploring your mental health story, knowing where to start can be difficult. To provide further support and guidance, CandleX is now bringing together our storytelling with coaching services through the Coaching Support For Your Mental Health Story program. In this program, the focus is on facilitating personal growth through coaching, with writing as an aid.
Coaching is a partnership in which you are supported in your personal development while working towards goals that align with your beliefs and values. Coaching centered around mental wellbeing can involve bringing mindful awareness to your emotional world, exploring the mind-body relationship, and shifting internal perspectives from inner critic to compassionate self.
Stories written in this project will be primarily for the personal use of our writers. You can choose to keep it private, or publish it to the CandleX platform to share your perspectives and stories with the international community in China.
Mental health matters.
Your stories matter.
CandleX community matters.
Check out some of our CandleX Community Stories:

Details & Registration
Outcomes:
Self-Growth: Coaching supports you with developing compassionate self-awareness, accountability to goals, and living in alignment with your core values & beliefs. Improve mental & emotional wellbeing, and discover empowering shifts in perspective.
Community Empowerment: The opportunity to publish your story and become a community advocate for mental health awareness. A chance to get more involved in mental health projects with CandleX, such as being interviewed when we get press interview invites.
Structure:
1 hour per session
10 sessions of one-on-one, weekly coaching over 3 months, with writing and revision in between.
Fee: 3000rmb. Fee is non-refundable.
Location: Online
Language: English
Registration: Scan QR code to connect with Sharon on WeChat
Rules and Principles:
All coaching will be conducted according to the International Coaching Federation’s ethical standards and guidelines. Everything shared within coaching sessions will remain confidential between coach, client, and supervisor Xiaojie Qin.

Project Overview
Writing to Heal consists of 3 phases. Choose A Topic, Write Your Story, and Reflection. The number of sessions dedicated to each phase will depend on individual need.
1. Choose A Topic
In this initial phase your coach will work with you to set the foundation for the next 3 months. Your coach will start by getting to know you, as well as your goals & expectations for this program. You’ll establish clarity on what storytelling means to you, what it is that you want to express based on your personal experiences and values, and how your coach can best support you. There’s no pressure to choose a topic immediately- what’s most important is to take the time & space for you to freely explore what’s present. We will move to the next phase when you are ready.
2. Write Your Story
Once you have chosen a topic, you will start to write your story. Your coach will guide you through revisions and polishing until you feel it is complete. While writing is a therapeutic act, working with topics related to mental health can be emotionally demanding and difficult emotions may arise. Your coaching sessions are a safe space for you to bring any thoughts & feelings you would like support with during this process.
3. Reflection
After your story is complete, you will connect with your coach for reflection. What has changed in you since the start of the project? How has coaching supported you in processing past & current emotions? What have you discovered about yourself? What does it mean to you to have written this story? Your coach will work with you in bringing awareness to what you are taking away from this experience, and how these insights may continue to support your mental wellbeing.
Continued Support
The coaching relationship will continue throughout any remaining sessions after your storywriting is complete. In these sessions, you may choose to continue exploring the takeaways from the past weeks and the impacts these insights have on your life. You may choose to use this space to set, review, or establish accountability for personal goals. There may be specific events or decision points that you would like support on. Any topics relevant to your mental health and wellbeing are welcome.
Coach Profile
Sharon Liu’s coaching practice supports clients' personal growth with a mindfulness-based & trauma-informed approach. Through deep listening, reflection, and inquiry- evoking mental, emotional, and bodily awareness- she holds space for contemplation and insight into the innermost self.
Sharon holds a bachelor's degree in Fine Art and master's in Visual Cultures. She is currently in training for her Associate Certified Coach accreditation with the ICF. In addition to coaching she also works in UX design, with a focus on wellbeing and social impact projects. Her role at CandleX includes website designer, community writing editor, and media management.
Fluent in English and Mandarin, Sharon has lived and worked in the US, UK, and China where she is currently based in Hainan.

Supervisor Profile

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