Has Writing Ever Been the Best Therapeutic Method for You?

Introduction to Writing as a Therapeutic Tool

Over the years, I have worked as a clinician, and I have used writing in group and individual settings. For some individuals, writing has allowed them to express what they couldn't put into words. For others, it has provided insight into what drives their behavior and how they react. Some find it a source to delve into during therapy sessions, while a few use it as both a creative outlet and a way to explore their problems. One patient even tracked his obsessive triggers and the effectiveness of various therapies to combat them. A depression group I was involved in helped patients identify irrational thinking patterns, leading to progress through Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Diary keeping of thoughts and reactions enabled patients to continue therapy in their daily lives outside of sessions. Writing, photography, painting, and drawing—art in general—allow us to express things in ways that are not possible otherwise and reveal relationships that we might miss.

The act of creativity and creation can be uplifting and provide a sense of accomplishment. I highly recommend writing as a therapeutic tool. Whether it's prescribed or encouraged by therapists will depend on their training and approach, but many therapists promote its use.

The Benefits of Journaling and Writing

Journaling and writing down thoughts, dreams, daily events, and surfacing memories and poetry can pin mental and feeling elements to a page, making them more concrete and less vague. Whether you are in therapy or not, journaling is a valuable practice that can calm the mind. Zen masters say that it brings focus and puts the sources of anxiety outside oneself, into a contained form.

The psychological principle is that by putting the pain and the felt anxiety over the pain into a concrete form—an object such as a drawing, painting, poem, song, journal entry—you are one step removed from the pain. This makes it easier to understand what happened to cause it. This process is part of re-educating long-term memory by associating past events with a different outcome, such as a safe environment. This indirect approach is frequently used in therapy with children but is often underutilized with adults.

Different Methods of Journaling

One notable method for using journals was developed by Ira Progoff. His books are reviewed on Amazon, and they offer insights into various techniques that can help individuals explore their thoughts and emotions through writing. If you're interested in different ways to do journaling, exploring these resources can provide a wealth of information and inspiration.

Conclusion

Writing can be a powerful therapeutic tool. It allows for self-expression, provides insight into one's thoughts and emotions, and can be used to track and address various mental health issues. Whether you seek professional help or simply want to enhance your mental well-being, incorporating writing into your routine can be highly beneficial.

Stay well and stay safe.