Writing is both very healing and very therapeutic. Writing - or journaling - is an important part of processing difficult emotions, complicated situations, and complex layers of life’s experiences. It is a way to process trauma, and can be another way to tell without telling. It is a way to explore your experiences, a way to figure out what you think, a time to process how you feel, and a time to gain greater insight. It is a means for putting the “poisons outside of yourself and onto the paper” thus freeing up your mind, body, and spirit for more positive or peaceful activities.

For the dissociative person, journaling also becomes an excellent way to increase internal communication, encourage co-consciousness, and develop system cohesiveness. Many internal conflicts can be addressed through the use of journaling. Writing helps the parts to bond and become friends with one another. As each part gets to know and understand the thoughts and behavior of the other parts, the need for blatant separateness decreases.

The ability or “permission” to write to the other parts (or not!) is a very clear metaphor for how much communication is allowed to take place in the system, and can be used as a means of measuring progress. The more everybody is allowed to write to each other, the greater the proof that genuine healing, growth, and progress have taken place.

In addition to personal work, there are many benefits to doing clinical treatment and therapeutic work in a written format. Writing is good for you!

Furthermore, Dr. James Pennebaker, a psychologist at the University of Texas, has extensively researched the therapeutic value of writing. He has found that writing about life’s traumatic or stressful events for 20 minutes per day for a minimum of three consecutive days leads to noticeable health improvements, i.e.: lifting depression, decreasing physical pain, improving the immune system, etc. This means that, not only is writing a good thing for you to do on an emotional level, it also literally helps on a physical level as well. Writing IS good for you!

So, let’s get started, because whether you write in your own personal journal, or write consultation e-mails to AbuseConsultants.com, or write letters about your stressful situations to a friend, your writing will benefit you and your health.

WRITING IS GOOD FOR YOU!