Integrating writing into psychotherapy practice: A matrix of change processes and structural dimensions.

Abstract

Research on therapeutic writing indicates that it can offer a range of physical and psychological benefits. There is no consensus, however, concerning how writing achieves these benefits. To address this question, the authors propose a matrix framework with emotional-cognitive change processes (what can be activated) along its horizontal dimension and abstract-concrete structure (how the processes are activated) along its vertical dimension. On the horizontal dimension, writing can encourage clients who are distant from their emotional world to approach or to modulate emotional intensity, and to create meaning and coherence. Along the vertical dimension, these processes can be activated through tasks that vary in structure, including programmed writing, diaries, journaling, autobiography, storytelling, and poetry. Finally, the authors consider constraints on writing that apply to particular client groups. The matrix framework is meant to encourage clinicians to use therapeutic writing and to assist researchers in framing questions to advance our knowledge of writing as a therapeutic practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).

The weight loss blogosphere: an online survey of weight loss bloggers

“…Blogging might provide psychological benefits since it is similar to journaling or narrative therapy, where the individual records personal thoughts, daily experiences, reflections, feelings, opinions, hopes, and fears [22]. Current research suggests that writing encourages factors, such as awareness, catharsis, distancing, selftalk, ventilation, and organization of thoughts [23][24][25]. Such writing has been associated with improved physical health (health center visits, self-reported symptoms, and upper respiratory illness), psychological well-being (positive effect, happiness, adjustment, and general temperament), physiological functioning (blood pressure, heart rate, and triglycerides), and general functioning (reemployment, grade point average, and absenteeism) [26].…”

Emotional processing in an expressive writing task on trauma

“…Specific to the psychotherapy process of emotionally processing, research in this area tells clinicians what aspects of emotional processing contribute to the best outcome for the client so that clinicians can tailor their interventions to assist the client in achieving them and, subsequently, a good therapy outcome. A number of researchers and theoreticians have already argued that expressive writing, as a psychological intervention, is somewhat analogous to psychotherapy (see for example, Kerner & Fitzpatrick, 2007;Murray & Segal, 1994). Following this notion, the general purpose of the current study is to use the expressive writing paradigm to investigate whether or not experiential mechanisms of emotional processing are present, and causally contribute to successful intervention outcomes.…”

La asimilación de experiencias problemáticas a través de narraciones: un estudio de caso.

“…Como recogen Kerner & Fitzpatrick (2007), la escritura puede utilizarse como un método para disminuir la inhibición emocional, animar la revelación y la expresión emocional. Esta idea entronca con la voz de Mónica que le decía que "no debía quejarse" y "no debía hacer sufrir a los demás".…”

“…Estos beneficios de la escritura terapéutica incluyen mejorías en la salud, el bienestar psicológico, el funcionamientos fisiológico y el funcionamiento general (Kerner & Fitzpatrick, 2007). En esta línea, Pennebaker y sus colegas postularon que "escribir es beneficioso en el grado en que la gente está dispuesta a expresar sus emociones en palabras" (Pennebaker, Mayne & Francis, 1997, p. 864).…”