Writing Well: Creative Writing and Mental Health

by Deborah Philips, Liz Linington, Debra Penman

Writing Well is a practical handbook of creative writing exercises which forms the basis of an indirect, nonconfrontational approach specifically intended for therapeutic use within the mental health field. Although people with emotional or psychological problems can find creative writing particularly difficult and unsettling, when writing courses are sensitively designed they are known to be of therapeutic benefit to people with mental health problems. The exercises are taken from the authors' successful practice with groups of people from a range of backgrounds in a variety of settings. The book is structured to be accessible and easy to use. The warm-ups and main exercises are organised by themes, such as positive memories, imagined worlds, changes and painful feelings. Guidelines are given for developing and adapting the exercises and practical suggestions for materials are included in the appendix. This volume will be an invaluable practical resource and imaginative inspiration for creative writing tutors and mental health professionals.

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a helpful book but I think was partly only three stars as it wasn’t really targeting what I was looking for - so not really a fault of the book! The Foreward describes accurately that although this is link between creative writing and therapy - the exercises in this book are that the very act of producing something can be therapeutic in itself, rather than the exercises particularly being designed to facilitate therapy - although some may do. There were some great ideas for writing exercises and definitely some that could be adapted, but they weren’t really what I was looking for.

[Isabelle Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The introduction and the intros to the chapters made for interesting and enlightening reading. However, although the workshop examples that constituted most of the book would be useful in application, it lacked the evaluation and discussion required to make this a book that proves the affect of such exercises in a therapeutic workshop setting.