Writing for protection: Reflective practice as a counsellor

Abstract

Expressive and reflective writing has been one way of recording personal changes and losses. It has also been key in surviving the sometimes traumatic work involved in working with clients in psychotherapeutic relationships. This article explores some of the underlying research into writing for personal and professional development with illustrations from both personal and professional life.

Keywords:

• Bereavement
• counselling
• creative writing
• poetry
• psychotherapy