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The Healing Power of Storytelling: Using Personal Narrative to Navigate Illness, Trauma, and Loss
For patients, care providers, and anyone who has faced a traumatic or life-changing health event: a research-backed guide to reframing your story and reclaiming your life through narrative medicine.
Our healthcare system isn't set up to meet the emotional needs of patients. Doctors can give you a life-changing diagnosis, but they're not equipped to help you deal with the inner fallout: the confusion, anxiety, trauma, and dread that comes after "I have some bad news." But storytelling your way through a medical crisis--narrative therapy--can help you come to terms with a difficult diagnosis, find and create new ways to thrive, and reclaim your agency amid fear, change, and uncertainty.
When Harvard-trained physician Dr. Annie Brewster was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001, she realized firsthand that the medical system to which she'd devoted her entire career was failing patients. The experience was dehumanizing. Her doctors weren't listening. And the confusion, fear, and shame she felt around her diagnosis was preventing her from finding healing, claiming her story, and living her fullest, richest life.
Here, Dr. Brewster and journalist Rachel Zimmerman share their own healing stories--and act as expert guides to help you move forward, reframe your story, and take back your life. With exercises, reflections, writing prompts, and stories from other real patients, Brewster and Zimmerman provide concrete ways to:
- Process the difficult emotions inherent to a life-changing diagnosis
- Move beyond being the hero of your own story to become the author of your own story
- Craft your narrative in whatever medium you choose: music, audio, art, or other ways of storytelling
- Integrate a traumatic health event into a new, evolving identity
- Harness narrative therapy to strengthen connections between you and your loved ones (and even your care providers)
- Cultivate resilience and move forward amid uncertainty and fear
Our healthcare system isn't set up to meet the emotional needs of patients. Doctors can give you a life-changing diagnosis, but they're not equipped to help you deal with the inner fallout: the confusion, anxiety, trauma, and dread that comes after "I have some bad news." But storytelling your way through a medical crisis--narrative therapy--can help you come to terms with a difficult diagnosis, find and create new ways to thrive, and reclaim your agency amid fear, change, and uncertainty.
When Harvard-trained physician Dr. Annie Brewster was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001, she realized firsthand that the medical system to which she'd devoted her entire career was failing patients. The experience was dehumanizing. Her doctors weren't listening. And the confusion, fear, and shame she felt around her diagnosis was preventing her from finding healing, claiming her story, and living her fullest, richest life.
Here, Dr. Brewster and journalist Rachel Zimmerman share their own healing stories--and act as expert guides to help you move forward, reframe your story, and take back your life. With exercises, reflections, writing prompts, and stories from other real patients, Brewster and Zimmerman provide concrete ways to:
- Process the difficult emotions inherent to a life-changing diagnosis
- Move beyond being the hero of your own story to become the author of your own story
- Craft your narrative in whatever medium you choose: music, audio, art, or other ways of storytelling
- Integrate a traumatic health event into a new, evolving identity
- Harness narrative therapy to strengthen connections between you and your loved ones (and even your care providers)
- Cultivate resilience and move forward amid uncertainty and fear
240 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2022
77 people are currently reading
1895 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 10, 2021
Under ordinary circumstances, it is only minutes after finishing a book that I find myself sitting at my desk eagerly typing away my review.
There are, however, those times when a book demands more reflection and consideration. There are those times when I need to allow an author's words to wash over me as I immerse myself in their words, their ideas, and the experience I've had with their book.
Annie Brewster's "The Healing Power of Storytelling: Using Personal Narrative to Navigate Illness, Trauma, and Loss" is such a book.
Brewster, a Harvard-trained physician who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001, has crafted with "The Healing Power of Storytelling" an incredibly intelligent yet deeply personal framework for moving forward through illness, trauma, and loss through the power of words and the power of storytelling.
As a paraplegic and double amputee with spina bifida who has lived 50+ years past my life expectancy, I found myself enthralled by "The Healing Power of Storytelling." This is partly because of how the book affirmed the role creativity has played in my own journey and partly because Brewster put words to things that have danced around in my heart and in my mind for years.
It was only a couple years ago that I found myself on a downward spiral, a 10-day hospitalization after nearly 30 years without having been inpatient left me demoralized and an above-knee amputee after 20+ years as a double below-knee amputee. As I found myself, and still find myself, re-learning life and adapting in new ways I also faced having to end an important event I'd led for 30 years because the physical demand had become too much.
In essence, I felt like I was losing my story.
In most ways, I've bounced back yet internally there's been an absence of peace and more than a little chaos. The experience of reading "The Healing Power of Storytelling" was like the experience of light bulb after light bulb popping on as if I was amidst paparazzi and suddenly I realized my story had merely changed and a new chapter was waiting to be written.
Brewster, writing with journalist Rachel Zimmerman, is refreshingly matter-of-fact in discussing her medical profession and its frequent failing of patients. As Brewster notes, a doctor can serve up a life-changing diagnosis but is often ill-equipped, or just plain unwilling, to help you deal with the internal fallout that unfolds. Brewster acknowledges that while she's long embraced storytelling even she'd fallen into this cycle, a cycle that seems practically built into the institution of medicine.
Utilizing stories from patients, exercises, writing prompts, and reflections, Brewster helps each of us develop a transformative process of writing and storytelling that helps the processing of all the emotions that come with a life-changing diagnosis, helps one transform from being the "hero" of one's story to the actual author (There's a huge difference!), helps one develop the practice of creating one's own story in whatever medium feels right, helps the integrating process for a life-changing diagnosis into one's personal identity, guides the utilization of storytelling techniques into strengthening relationships with loved ones, friends, peers, and even medical professionals, and empowers one to be more resilient and move forward through the fears and anxiety.
"The Healing Power of Storytelling" is a unique combination of wonderfully researched and emotionally resonant. I cried, perhaps more than I'd like to admit, but I also found myself taking notes and reading further time and time again. It's a relatively short book at just over 200 pages, yet it's a book that is best experienced and interacted with throughout the reading process.
I gained appreciation for my own primary care physician, a woman who is relentless in her pursuit of my wellness yet also picked up the phone and called me when she heard that my mother had passed away to see if I was alright.
Who does that?
"The Healing Power of Storytelling" doesn't offer miracles. It offers tools for living a more full and satisfying life and it offers tools for claiming what I'd call the holiness of my body even when it feels like anything but a temple. Brewster feels like a companion on the journey and I found myself putting together my own narrative puzzle pieces and having more than a few "Aha!" moments throughout my time with the book.
There's simply no doubt this is a book I will revisit time and again.
As someone who experienced a lot of early life trauma, much of my life has been dedicated to holding space for others to tell their stories and, indeed, moving forward and modeling living into one's own story. Yet, after reading "The Healing Power of Storytelling" I began to realize that I still, at least at times, resist storytelling when it comes to my own body. I began to understand why and, perhaps more importantly, I began to find ways that I could reverse this cycle and reclaim my personal narrative in its entirety.
"The Healing Power of Storytelling" is a valuable book for anyone who has experienced illness, trauma, or loss and especially those who've struggled with navigating through the maze of fear, anxiety, doubt, and that icky feeling of being a diagnosis.
Incredibly moving and thought-provoking, "The Healing Power of Storytelling" is transformative literature at its finest.
There are, however, those times when a book demands more reflection and consideration. There are those times when I need to allow an author's words to wash over me as I immerse myself in their words, their ideas, and the experience I've had with their book.
Annie Brewster's "The Healing Power of Storytelling: Using Personal Narrative to Navigate Illness, Trauma, and Loss" is such a book.
Brewster, a Harvard-trained physician who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001, has crafted with "The Healing Power of Storytelling" an incredibly intelligent yet deeply personal framework for moving forward through illness, trauma, and loss through the power of words and the power of storytelling.
As a paraplegic and double amputee with spina bifida who has lived 50+ years past my life expectancy, I found myself enthralled by "The Healing Power of Storytelling." This is partly because of how the book affirmed the role creativity has played in my own journey and partly because Brewster put words to things that have danced around in my heart and in my mind for years.
It was only a couple years ago that I found myself on a downward spiral, a 10-day hospitalization after nearly 30 years without having been inpatient left me demoralized and an above-knee amputee after 20+ years as a double below-knee amputee. As I found myself, and still find myself, re-learning life and adapting in new ways I also faced having to end an important event I'd led for 30 years because the physical demand had become too much.
In essence, I felt like I was losing my story.
In most ways, I've bounced back yet internally there's been an absence of peace and more than a little chaos. The experience of reading "The Healing Power of Storytelling" was like the experience of light bulb after light bulb popping on as if I was amidst paparazzi and suddenly I realized my story had merely changed and a new chapter was waiting to be written.
Brewster, writing with journalist Rachel Zimmerman, is refreshingly matter-of-fact in discussing her medical profession and its frequent failing of patients. As Brewster notes, a doctor can serve up a life-changing diagnosis but is often ill-equipped, or just plain unwilling, to help you deal with the internal fallout that unfolds. Brewster acknowledges that while she's long embraced storytelling even she'd fallen into this cycle, a cycle that seems practically built into the institution of medicine.
Utilizing stories from patients, exercises, writing prompts, and reflections, Brewster helps each of us develop a transformative process of writing and storytelling that helps the processing of all the emotions that come with a life-changing diagnosis, helps one transform from being the "hero" of one's story to the actual author (There's a huge difference!), helps one develop the practice of creating one's own story in whatever medium feels right, helps the integrating process for a life-changing diagnosis into one's personal identity, guides the utilization of storytelling techniques into strengthening relationships with loved ones, friends, peers, and even medical professionals, and empowers one to be more resilient and move forward through the fears and anxiety.
"The Healing Power of Storytelling" is a unique combination of wonderfully researched and emotionally resonant. I cried, perhaps more than I'd like to admit, but I also found myself taking notes and reading further time and time again. It's a relatively short book at just over 200 pages, yet it's a book that is best experienced and interacted with throughout the reading process.
I gained appreciation for my own primary care physician, a woman who is relentless in her pursuit of my wellness yet also picked up the phone and called me when she heard that my mother had passed away to see if I was alright.
Who does that?
"The Healing Power of Storytelling" doesn't offer miracles. It offers tools for living a more full and satisfying life and it offers tools for claiming what I'd call the holiness of my body even when it feels like anything but a temple. Brewster feels like a companion on the journey and I found myself putting together my own narrative puzzle pieces and having more than a few "Aha!" moments throughout my time with the book.
There's simply no doubt this is a book I will revisit time and again.
As someone who experienced a lot of early life trauma, much of my life has been dedicated to holding space for others to tell their stories and, indeed, moving forward and modeling living into one's own story. Yet, after reading "The Healing Power of Storytelling" I began to realize that I still, at least at times, resist storytelling when it comes to my own body. I began to understand why and, perhaps more importantly, I began to find ways that I could reverse this cycle and reclaim my personal narrative in its entirety.
"The Healing Power of Storytelling" is a valuable book for anyone who has experienced illness, trauma, or loss and especially those who've struggled with navigating through the maze of fear, anxiety, doubt, and that icky feeling of being a diagnosis.
Incredibly moving and thought-provoking, "The Healing Power of Storytelling" is transformative literature at its finest.
June 10, 2022
The author says: The truth is that anyone who has faced a health challenge or trauma, whether physical, emotional, or communal — large or small — has a story to tell. In other words, we all have a story. The process I am focused on here is all about weaving these challenging events into our life’s narrative: stories can be told in writing, through verbal expression, or through art.
Storytelling has the profound power to both heal the storytellers and to effect change in the reader.
Stories help us connect to each other, to realize we are not alone.
I have come to believe that sharing our stories is the key to healing, transformation, and positive action.
Sometimes survival demands denial, but it isn’t healthy when we get stuck there.
Ultimately, storytelling is about finding meaning in our struggles. When you feel like you have some control over your own story, it can help you adjust to a new normal and move forward with a sense of hope rather than defeat.
No matter how long it takes us to get there, we heal when we confront the painful events of our lives and consciously integrate them into our self stories.
This is an interesting read and helpful with healing.
Storytelling has the profound power to both heal the storytellers and to effect change in the reader.
Stories help us connect to each other, to realize we are not alone.
I have come to believe that sharing our stories is the key to healing, transformation, and positive action.
Sometimes survival demands denial, but it isn’t healthy when we get stuck there.
Ultimately, storytelling is about finding meaning in our struggles. When you feel like you have some control over your own story, it can help you adjust to a new normal and move forward with a sense of hope rather than defeat.
No matter how long it takes us to get there, we heal when we confront the painful events of our lives and consciously integrate them into our self stories.
This is an interesting read and helpful with healing.
August 14, 2023
3,5 stars; Writing as therapy; this was a decent, albeit pretty light on the scientific underpinnings (would’ve liked to hear more!); surprisingly no significant mention was made of the narrative medicine movement and its world renowned principal proponent Rita Charon.
September 29, 2022
I am both a professional communicator and a trauma/loss/illness survivor (childhood abandonment, pregnancy loss, MS diagnosis). I share this lived experience to note that, prior to reading this book, I was already a firm believer in the power of storytelling to both connect and heal.
With that said, I have only written, dissected, and shared parts of my story. I am hopeful that reading this book will help me unlock the still-hidden parts of my personal narrative. I have highlights and dog-eared pages and now it’s time to get to the work of reflecting and writing. I believe this book can serve as a guide for many!
With that said, I have only written, dissected, and shared parts of my story. I am hopeful that reading this book will help me unlock the still-hidden parts of my personal narrative. I have highlights and dog-eared pages and now it’s time to get to the work of reflecting and writing. I believe this book can serve as a guide for many!
March 6, 2022
This is one of the most memorable and productive reads I have had the pleasure of consuming over the last 12 months. The author is a physician who is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and shares her story, then realizes how encouraging others to share their story, allows them to take ownership and agency over their medical issues and past history. It allows them to look beyond their "diagnoses" and "diseases", rather looking at their humanity.
My favorite discussion and comparison which I will use in my own practice is the distinction between "healing" and "cure". Though storytelling does not cure of disease (it is still there...), it allows for "healing", acceptance of the disease, ability to look beyond it and look at the humanity perspective and altruistic components helping others.
For all healthcare practitioners out there, I highly recommend this read. It is worth your time. I will be completing a more in-depth review of this book in a peer-reviewed family medicine journal within the next several months. READ THIS PLEASE!
My favorite discussion and comparison which I will use in my own practice is the distinction between "healing" and "cure". Though storytelling does not cure of disease (it is still there...), it allows for "healing", acceptance of the disease, ability to look beyond it and look at the humanity perspective and altruistic components helping others.
For all healthcare practitioners out there, I highly recommend this read. It is worth your time. I will be completing a more in-depth review of this book in a peer-reviewed family medicine journal within the next several months. READ THIS PLEASE!
November 21, 2021
This is a powerful, important, and relevant book for anyone who’s been through anything difficult, to help them tell their story, and WHY they need to tell their story. The chapters include a good mix of the author’s own story, current research, examples, and suggestions for our personal use. At the end of each chapter there is a “takeaways” section with prompts and concrete suggestions to put into one’s personal practice the ideas set forth in each chapter.
The topics include Practical approaches to telling your story, finding meaning in death, Storytelling for social change, the power of story to change our relationships… And more!
If your life has been, or is being, shaped by something traumatic, tragic, or just plain difficult, I highly recommend this book. Take your time with it, allow its wisdom to transform your journey.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The topics include Practical approaches to telling your story, finding meaning in death, Storytelling for social change, the power of story to change our relationships… And more!
If your life has been, or is being, shaped by something traumatic, tragic, or just plain difficult, I highly recommend this book. Take your time with it, allow its wisdom to transform your journey.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 6, 2024
Storytelling is so important. I love how many anecdotes are shared in the field of medicine in the perspective of a physician, patient, and family member / friend of a patient. I am reminded of a saying from a conference: "The story you tell yourself, is the most important story you will ever know of in your life." What is the story I am telling myself? THANK YOU for the people who have crafted this book into its written form.
Thank you H.T. for recommending this book to me, especially when I had been feeling lost about what my story is!
Thank you H.T. for recommending this book to me, especially when I had been feeling lost about what my story is!
February 19, 2025
Brewster found healing by sharing her story, and now seeks to help others do the same but she has the medical background to back up what she's teaching. This is a great resource for the benefits of storytelling, how to tell your story, and research behind the impact of storytelling on healing. Having case studies available in Part 2 helps the readers understand the different facets of story telling, and how it can be used in many different ways to promote healing.
October 23, 2024
This was a nice mixture of memoir and science. It was focused mostly on writing about illness, which was the only downside, because even though I'm chronically ill, I was looking for something more generalized about trauma. However, there was lots of good information and it was an easy read.
Read
March 2, 2025This book was not written in a way that resonated, but much of the facts, stories and suggestions are certainly good for the world to know.
I would recommend anybody who is interested in this topic, but disinterested in the American medical system, to watch the documentary "Heal" from 2017.
I would recommend anybody who is interested in this topic, but disinterested in the American medical system, to watch the documentary "Heal" from 2017.
February 5, 2022
Good, science-backed reasoning for storytelling's impact on healing. I particularly liked the writing prompts at the end of each chapter and the ones for providers.
Want to read
February 7, 2022Recommended by Anne-Marie
June 21, 2022
Very interesting and poignant
The subject is not easy to read about but it gives you a path to see beauty in the midst of painful experiences.
The subject is not easy to read about but it gives you a path to see beauty in the midst of painful experiences.
July 1, 2023
It was decent but it didn’t guide too much on how to actually write your own story. Just research about how doing so can help and was more helpful for physical illnesses versus mental illness
August 2, 2024
Rarely have I felt so inspired, I especially appreciated the link between individual health and personal narratives to social activism in the context of master narratives
August 9, 2025
DNF. Very repetitive
August 25, 2025
This book was recommended to me by my boss. For more context, my mom is currently in hospice and she's slowly dying. My boss asked if we could read it together and reflect afterwards. This book started off sweet, even though the writing is pretty weak. I had to let that go because the narrator is a MD, but as I kept reading, it became repetitive and the writing got weaker. Some AI was used poorly and it minimized my enjoyment of the book. However, the first half of this review is purely about the writing itself. Having that said, the book itself has so much potential, specially if you enjoy non-fictions. It actually kind of reminded me of the Chicken Soup series I read as a teenager.
January 9, 2024
I liked how the author combined instructions on writing a personal narrative with stories from patients (including herself). Although my current role does not permit emotion processing with clients, I feel I can potentially bring this up as a way for clients to describe their healing journey. This can also serve as a starting off point for a session with a client's clinician. This creative form can also be used as part of the yearly art exhibition. I personally have not been a writer, and I suspect it is because the compulsory writing in school ruined it, haha. This book inspired me to try the next spiritual writing workshop at my church.
November 19, 2025
Kind of a how-to book, but the stories were very powerful and it has a great introduction
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews