Words as therapy

Abstract

Creative writing has many uses as a therapeutic instrument, either integrated into one-to-one psychological therapy, or delivered as a reading or writing group for well-being. This chapter provides an overview of some of the key areas of practice in this field of arts in health, with case studies and example poems. The practices of expressive writing, shared reading groups, therapeutic journalling, and creative writing for therapeutic purposes will all be clearly outlined, with resources provided to support the further exploration of such approaches.