Words that work? Exploring client writing in therapy

Aim There has been relatively little research enabling the direct voices of those who write voluntarily in counselling to be heard. This study explored the lived experience of five participants who voluntarily used self‐reflective writing whilst in counselling and found this helpful. Method Five participants took part in a qualitative study based on a short writing task and related semi‐structured interview. Their accounts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, informed by psychodynamic thinking. Findings Participants used writing as a means of catharsis and to enable expression and exploration of parts of the self that were not immediately accessible. Writing was also a safe and private place to hold or contain unmanageable material, the true or hidden self and the process of counselling itself. Finally, writing functioned as a bridge, enabling participants to hold onto, internalise and extend their counselling. When shared in counselling, writing could also help the client to communicate, re‐own projections deposited in the writing and work towards self‐acceptance. Conclusions Working with client writing may be helpful, enabling the self to be heard, when speaking may initially feel too threatening. This may have relevance for client groups who find face‐to‐face counselling difficult.