Writing Cures: An Introductory Handbook of Writing in Counselling and Therapy

Writing is our cultural medium and can be used to enhance counselling and psychotherapy - just writing in itself can be therapeutic. The onset of online therapy means that increasing numbers of therapists need to know about this valuable means of communication. Writing Cures demonstrates power of expressive and reflective writing in the context of therapy, whether online or text-based, enabling the practitioner to undertake writing methods with clients. It introduces the reader to therapeutic writing in a range of settings and contexts, and from a range of approaches. Chapters from an impressive list of contributors include: • 'Ethical and Practical Dimensions of Online Writing Cures' by Stephen Goss and Kate Anthony • 'Writing by Patients and Therapists in Cognitive and Analytic Therapy' by Anthony Ryle • 'Reflective and Therapeutic Writing in Counsellor Training' by Colin Feltham and Jacquie Daniels. Illustrated throughout from clinical experience Writing Cures will be of benefit to all counsellors and psychotherapists.

Table of Contents:
McMillan, Foreword. Part I: Theory and Research.J. Wright, The Passion of Science, the Precision of Poetry: Therapeutic Writing, a Review of the Literature. G. Lowe, Cognitive Psychology and the Biomedical Foundations of Writing Therapy. J. Speedy, The Contribution of Narrative Ideas and Practices in Therapy. C. Hunt, Reading Ourselves: Imagining the Reader in the Writing Process. D. Steinberg, From Archetype to Impressions: The Magic of Words. Part II: Writing in Therapy.A. Ryle, Writing by Patients and Therapists in Cognitive Analytic Therapy. K. Thompson, Journal Writing as a Therapeutic Tool. S. Howlett, Writing the Link between Body and Mind: The Use of Writing in Clients with Chronic Stress-related Medical Disorders. C. Lago, 'When I Write I Can Think': Personal Uses of Writing by International Students. G. Bolton, J. Latham, 'Every Poem Breaks a Silence That Had to be Overcome': The Therapeutic Role of Poetry Writing. C. Williamson, Writing as a Therapy for People in Recovery from Addiction. Part III: Writing Online.K. Anthony, Therapy Online: The Therapeutic Relationship in Typed Text. J. Wright, 'She Put Down in Writing What Was in Her Mind': Developing Online, Text-based Counselling in the Workplace. L. Griffiths, Electronic Text Based Communication: Assumptions and Illusions Created by the Transference Phenomena. S. Howlett, R. Langdon, Message to Jo: The Samaritans Experience of E-mail Befriending. S. Goss, K. Anthony, Ethical and Practical Dimensions of Online Writing Cures. Part IV: Reflective Practice.C. Feltham, J. Daniels, Reflective and Therapeutic Writing in Counsellor Training. A. Ryle, The Uses of Writing in the Supervision of Cognitive Analytic Therapy. G. Bolton, H. Allan, H. Drucquer, Black and Blue: Writing for Reflective Practice. J. Hilsdon, After the Session: 'Freewriting' in Response. L. Heller, Writing in a Reflective Practice Group for Staff Working with People with Dementia.

About the Author :
Stephanie Howlett, Gillie Bolton, Colin Lago, Jeannie K. Wright

Review :
'The section on the evidence base will astonish... The 'Writing in Therapy' section is a rich source of techniques with many examples drawn from experience. The section on 'writing online' includes a remarkable account of The Samaritans' use of email befriending... the 'reflective practice' section reminds us that writing is not only therapeutic for clients but can be an invaluable tool... I heartily recommend this book as an accessible, wide-ranging and thought-provoking introduction for counsellors, writers, therapists and nurses.' - Tony Gillam, Mental Health Practice 2005 ‘This is a timely, ambitious and stimulating book… I congratulate the editors on their achievement and am sure Writing Cures will ‘entice readers back’ to the value of writing in therapy and its role in the search for the self.’ – Eva Burns-Lundgren, European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling The section on the evidence base will astonish... The 'Writing in Therapy' section is a rich source of techniques with many examples drawn from experience. The section on 'writing online' includes a remarkable account of The Samaritans' use of email befriending... the 'reflective practice' section reminds us that writing is not only therapeutic for clients but can be an invaluable tool... I heartily recommend this book as an accessible, wide-ranging and thought-provoking introduction for counsellors, writers, therapists and nurses. - Tony Gillam, Mental Health Practice 2005 ...most interesting section of the book is dedicated to online therapy and writing. These newly emerging options for therapy are often met with client enthusiasm and clinician resistance. The ethics are well debated, and I found some of my scepticism being eroded by some impressive examples in practice. - Clare Moran, The Psychologist, 2005