Writing Therapy

Writing therapy, also called therapeutic writing, involves the expression of one’s thoughts and feelings through the act of writing. Writing therapy is flexible and can be performed individually, in groups, and via distance counseling. It is adaptable to many theoretical orientations, including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, and narrative theories. Writing therapy interventions are often in the form of assignments in which the therapist prompts the clients to compose a letter or e-mail, journal entry, short story, poem or haiku, or other forms of the written word. This approach involves reflection, self-disclosure, creativity, and expressiveness. Writing therapy can be used to address a variety of emotional concerns. Some mental health issues in which writing therapy has been frequently employed are grief and loss, trauma, [Page 1055]substance abuse, ...