Return to Sender: Letter Writing to Bring Hope to Both Client and Team

Abstract

Solution-focused letter writing has been used to provide clients a means of connecting sessions, focusing on strengths, and working toward positive change. In addition, the therapeutic use of letter writing may help therapists themselves refocus on hope. This article details how solution-focused letter writing was used in a university-based practicum to both facilitate change with clients and train beginning therapists. Letter writing was helpful to team and therapist as well as to clients. The use of therapeutic letter writing to facilitate change for clients has been widely documented, both in the narrative (Epston, 1994) and the solution-focused traditions (Nunnally & Lipchik, 1989; Shilts & Ray, 1991). Letters are labeled therapeutic when they are client-centered, future-oriented, hopeful, and realistic (Goldberg, 2000). Written to enhance the positive aspects of face-to-face therapy, letters summarize meetings, link people and events, contain metaphoric language, and help turn ideas into interventions. Through hearing and reading scripted reflections and suggestions, clients can validate, expand, and engage in auxiliary

“It's the Little Things That Count”: The Value in Receiving Therapeutic Letters

“…Alexander, Shilts, Liscio, and Rambo (2008) cited clinical cases to show how writing TLs helped beginning therapists observe small changes in their patients and compose hopeful predictions that improved the therapeutic process. Moules (2002) found that with clinical supervision, graduate nursing students wrote TLs that helped them develop relationships and skills that validated individual or family strengths, concerns, suffering, and courage in coping with illness or life transitions.…”

Solution-Focused Marathon Sessions

“…Therapeutic letters have been used quite effectively in postmodern oriented therapies, and perhaps the narrative therapy camp has used them to the greatest extent (Epston, 1994;White & Epston, 1990;White, 1995). Solution-focused therapists have also extensively used letters in their therapeutic practice (see Alexander et al, 2008;Nunnally & Lipchik, 1989;Shilts & Ray, 1991). Alexander et al (2008) explained the purpose of solutionfocused letters, "Written to enhance the positive aspects of face-to-face therapy, letters summarize meetings, link people and events, contain metaphoric language, and help turn ideas into interventions" (p. 59).…”

“…Solution-focused therapists have also extensively used letters in their therapeutic practice (see Alexander et al, 2008;Nunnally & Lipchik, 1989;Shilts & Ray, 1991). Alexander et al (2008) explained the purpose of solutionfocused letters, "Written to enhance the positive aspects of face-to-face therapy, letters summarize meetings, link people and events, contain metaphoric language, and help turn ideas into interventions" (p. 59). These letters are not merely summaries of sessions, but act as a catalyst to continue therapeutic change by getting clients to focus on their preferred outcomes and what they might do to get there.…”

Intentional Practices in Supervision of Family Counseling: The Use of Supervisory Letters

“…Therapeutic letters are helpful in that they contribute to positive therapeutic outcomes (Pyle, 2006) by enhancing progress and solidifying positive change, providing emotional support, and supporting competencies (Oliver, Nelson, Cade, & Cueva, 2007). Furthermore, therapeutic letters can change the pace of therapy, reiterate points, and assist with exploring new solutions (Alexander, Shilts, Liscio, & Rambo, 2008). Although counseling and supervision are different processes with differing purposes, the use of letters can be helpful in both disciplines.…”