Could Writing Therapy be the Way of the Future?
“Whether the inky cousin of selfie culture or long tail of the creative writing mania, writing as therapy is having a moment.” Gina McColl, The Age, Australia. Writing therapy is finally being recognised as a powerful tool in the healing process and I was thrilled to recently discover Gina McColl’s article Analyse this; Writing is proving an effective therapy as more people find solace by getting their story out, in The Age, Dec 6th 2105.
Having kept a diary for thirty years now, I have personal experience of the power of expressing my thoughts and feelings on paper. “Writing is a good way of getting things out of my head so I don’t have to ruminate as much — they live there, on the page” says 37 year-old Natasha Agafonoff, an industrial chemist, blogger and sufferer of anorexia amongst other things.
As a professional counselor and published author I chose to combine my two skills three years ago and have incorporated writing therapy in to my holistic counseling sessions. This can involve list making, identification of thoughts and emotions through mindful choice of words, rewriting negative thought patterns and voices in to positive statements and often I give homework (which people surprisingly really love to receive) of letter writing. Letter writing can involve writing to a past nemesis, bully or abuser, sometimes to a family member or friend you find it hard to communicate verbally with, or to someone that has passed on but there are still unresolved emotions. The sense of release is profound, allowing people to move on with their lives.
In the InPsych article, Turner Goldsmith (psychologist) cites “30 years of research showing writing about traumatic events boosts the immune system, reduces the symptoms of illness, and improves mood and psychological wellbeing…” Often the point in my sessions is not to actually send the letter but to unload your feelings. The ability to unload without harming anyone, to clear yourself of anger, resentment and fear is undervalued. I also encourage a ceremonial letting go of burning the letter. At times the letter can be to yourself — your inner child, your current self or your future self — a letter of understanding, forgiveness, advice, or a letter of self-love.
“In an age often characterised by our enthusiasm for pills to treat our angst — our Prozac (Zoloft/Paxil/Lexapro) nation-status — could the pen or keyboard really be mightier than the Big Pharma hoard?”
If writing has helped you, please share your experience. I would love to hear from you.
“I went to Romi thinking “oh I can’t write and I have nothing to say” and I found myself writing deep and creative stories in a completely organic way. Connecting to your source is undoubtedly the way to connect to your true self. Thank you for helping me unleash the hidden creativity and truth within!”
“My pen and writing flowed resulting in a much more powerful weapon than I consciously expected to experience.”
“Your words of wisdom, writing tips and tools helped me to remove some shadows that kept me from expressing and myself and from writing.”
Analyse this; Writing is proving an effective therapy as more people find solace by getting their story out The Sunday Age, Dec 6th 2015. By Gina McColl.
