Nine reasons to join a writing therapy group:

Reason 1.

Some people say writing is transformative.  Some people say writing has saved their lives.  Discover where your writing might take you.

Reason 2.

When you write things down they get out of your system and you can share them with others.  Wherever you keep your words, they are able to be stored in a container–a book, a computer, a sketch book and that helps you distance and observe yourself and your truth.

Reason 3.

You can choose a topic or event to focus on and write about.  It can be something troubling or soothing, something you would like to master, or a life-cycle event.  Examples are: life transitions, health problems, grief and loss, challenges from the past, future hopes and dreams.  You can write about your cognitive distortions or how your body reacts to stress, a fantasy you have, or a dream you made up.  The topics and possibilities are endless.

Writing from a group member:

The Poetry Room –whose presence I feel  even when standing outside its door.  Before I enter I feel calmer and thoughts and visions start bubbling up from a well somewhere inside me.  In this room I learn that I have nothing to fear – no criticism, no ideas of different words or that I try this or that.  Anything I write in this special private space is accepted with encouragement and gratitude.

The others who visit this room share their deepest thoughts, whether they be poems or stories capturing their childhood, memories of old friends or family members, often even secrets they have never before dared to mention.  We all know that everything we write there is treasured and welcome in Our Writing Group.

Reason 4.

Writing is healing because self expression and creativity take you on the path of self awareness. When you are in a group and there is no critiquing, you can begin to feel supported and understood,

The group members will give you honest positive feedback and you can see your work from their eyes and with new understanding.

Reason 5.

Writing is a way of getting to know yourself, what you think about, your dreams, your ideas.  Writing is truthful, serious, whimsical and fanciful and much more.

Reason 6.

If you let yourself go, words will appear on your page and make sense to you even if you don’t know where they came from.  This is an exercise in letting go and accepting what comes.  You don’t have to try to find your voice–it is waiting to be released.

Writing from a group member:

Last night from my bed I stared out through the large open window…This is always a time of day I look forward to. It’s the time that in August tells me my workday is over and I can pull out my journal from the narrow middle drawer of my desk and finally write my soul on the pages.

I never knew writing could be such a friend to me and I often find myself resisting even just the idea of picking up a pen and devoting a half and hour to the working of my mind. The times that my soul decides to come out and play and reveal itself are the truly magical ones, they keep me going, showing up for more.  I create the space for it to show up, I never know whether it will. 

I can quietly coax it out with a friendly invitation extending my arm and open hand, but looking the other way. Maybe a butterfly will gently flutter around and decide to rest on my hand. Ever so softly I might be aware of its presence. I might not, however, if I am too busy grasping, pulling, pushing, making something happen.

Reason 7.

Writing can tap into your unconscious, like a dream.  Whether you write about something that happened to you or make up a story about fictional characters, there are pieces of yourself in the writing waiting to be discovered.

Reason 8.

Writing without a roadmap or plan can help you feel free and unencumbered.

Reason 9.

Writing only requires a pen, pencil, and paper and your heart. No other supplies needed.

I hope you are interested in joining a writing for healing group. For more information and to join this group, contact Phyllis Klein, LCSW, at therapy@phyllisklein.com or 415-273-1036.

Photograph from Public Domain Pictures by Elisa Xyz