Writing ourselves : an effective tool in the process of therapy

Abstract

This qualitative research study examines writing as a healing component in the counselling process. A small number of persons who used writing in their own therapeutic process were interviewed and the way writing helped them was explored in depth. The epistemological assumptions that informed this research and the research methods used were influenced by heuristic inquiry, narrative inquiry and ethnography. The findings, thus, are presented in a narrative form including, where possible, the participants‟ contributions in stanza form. The findings of this research project clearly show that writing can be very therapeutic and can lead to long-term benefits. They also indicate particular situations when writing is beneficial and with whom it could be helpful. The data collected also provides insights into how writing works. Recommendations for practice and future research are also offered at the end of this dissertation.