When Words Aren’t Enough: Expressive Arts, Community & Healing with canDID Expressions’ Corinne Li

Episode Summary When an experience is too complicated, painful, or too early to have words… In this episode, we’re joined by Corinne Li, founder of canDID Expressions, a nonprofit organization serving people living with trauma-based dissociation and provides them with opportunities to explore and share their experiences through writing and expressive arts. Corinne shares how art first became a language for experiences she literally could not speak about—and how writing, poetry, color, movement, and other forms of expression can create pathways for communication when words aren’t there. This conversation took a delightful turn into the little miracles that happen when you build and lean into community. And in case you’re wondering, you do not need to be an artist. As Corinne puts it: You don’t have to be creative. You just need to be curious. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:01 — Meet Corinne Li & canDID Expressions00:04 — When trauma has no words: art as another language00:08 — From one writing group to an international community00:13 — How compassion for someone else can become compassion for yourself00:16 — “But I’m not creative…”00:20 — A space where trauma is welcome—but doesn’t define you00:22 — Why community matters in healing00:24 — What actually happens in a canDID Expressions group?00:29 — Finding belonging—including for therapists with lived experience00:34 — Are peer groups for DID/OSDD actually harmful?00:36 — What peers can offer that therapy can’t00:39 — Going public with DID: authenticity, stigma & safety00:48 — When DID becomes more than pathology00:52 — “Does this ever get better?”00:53 — What Corinne wants clinicians to know About canDID Expressions canDID Expressions is a nonprofit community dedicated to fostering connection and expression for people living with trauma-based dissociation through writing and expressive arts. Their virtual offerings include writing and poetry groups, classes, community opportunities, and more. And importantly: canDID Expressions works hard to make its programming financially accessible. Scholarships are available, and they don’t want cost to keep someone from participating. If something interests you and finances are the barrier, reach out to them. Resources canDID Expressions Website: canDIDExpressions.org canDID Expressions Offerings & Financial Accessibility Healing My Parts Website: healingmyparts.org Healing My Parts Substack: healingmyparts.substack.com Instagram: @healingmyparts Thank you for listening! 🩷🫶💜 Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe