Healing through Writing

Science corroborates that translating events into language can affect brain and immune functions by increasing germ-fighting lymphocytes and lowering stress levels. Writing has been shown to improve overall heart health, brain health and the actual healing of physical wounds. Expressive writing reduces intrusive and avoidant thoughts about negative events and improves working memory. These improvements, researchers believe, may in turn free up our cognitive resources for other mental activities, including our ability to cope more effectively with stress. Writing has been found to reduce anxiety and depression, improve grades in college, aid people in a variety of things, from increasing the ability to forgive to finding a job.

In a stand-alone session, I will discuss the science that affirms these correlations, then lead the group through two writing exercises to get participants started in their own healing process. I will recommend additional exercises, books, and websites.

In a series, I will introduce the program with the science that proves writing can improve healing, then lead the group in an exercise. I will give participants “homework” to encourage their continued practice. Each additional session with begin with a warm-up writing exercise, address feedback on how their individual healing and writing process is going, then introduction of a new healing through writing tool. The preferred structure of this series is 6 sessions each held two-weeks apart, but of course it can be modified.