Enrichment and written messages with couples

Nursing on paper: therapeutic letters in nursing practice

“…Ellis, as a result of laryngitis, attempted written communication with his clients, only to discover that written communication had a distinctly different influence than verbal communication. Over a decade later, Wagner (1977) suggested that, in his clinical practice, written messages had greater effect than verbally communicated meanings. Written communication in the form of letters to clients was attempted by the Milan family therapy team (Selvini Palazzoli et al 1978), and their publication of this ‘therapeutic intervention’ raised the awareness of letters as a clinical intervention in fields of clinical work with families.…”

Adding Written Reflections to the Reflecting Team

“…Wagner (1977) reported that clients receiving written assignments showed a higher degree of positive change than those not receiving them. Palazolli et al (1978) presented clinical evidence showing the positive effects of paradoxical letters on clients.…”

Interactional Letters: A Reorgnization of a Couple's Communication

“…repetitive and dissatisfying interactional patterns. Wagner et al (1980) found that letters from therapist to clients enhanced couples' communications by tracking confirming statements. White and Epston (1990) used letters to generate alternate meanings to couples ' dilemmas, and Selvini Palazzoli et al (1978) utilized letters for paradoxical effects.…”