The Healing Power of
Creative Writing and Other
Forms of Self-Expression
Danny Pettry, MS, CTRS
Recreational Therapist
Presented at the
Healing Through Creativity Festival
http://www.healingthroughcreativity.org/
West Virginia State University
Oct. 16, 2008
6:00 p.m.
Icebreaker: Name Game

What is your name?

What do you expect to get from this
session?
Course Goal

This course is designed to teach survivors of
abuse and professionals who provide services
for survivors about the healing benefits for
creative writing and other forms of selfexpression. The focus will be on stress
management and overall health promotion.

I hope you’ll find a collection of good ideas
today.
Course Objectives

By the end of this session, you’ll be able to:

Identify at least 5 benefits for expressing emotions
through the use of creative writing and other selfexpressive arts.

Identify at least 5 forms of self-expression that could
be used to promote health and well-being.
A little bit about myself




I am Danny Pettry. I grew up in Beckley.
M.S. Rec Therapy, Indiana University
I’ve provided recreational therapy services
at a residential treatment program for
children between ages 7 and 13 who are
in treatment for sexual, physical, and or
emotional abuse for the last six years.
I enjoy the work I do and want to help.
My hobbies include…



Reading and writing mostly.
I am empathetic and collect books by
survivors.
I like to watch basketball. I like walking,
and enjoying nature, especially during the
Autumn months. I also enjoy spending
time with my family and going to the
movies.
Who Wants Understood?


Sean Covey (1998) said the deepest need
of the human heart is to be understood in
his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective
Teens.
The focus of this session is to teach you
ways to express yourself so that you’ll feel
understood and if not by others, at least
you’ll have a good self-concept, which is
beneficial.
First, Keep a Journal



Journaling although not a term in the
dictionary, it is: the act of writing about
one’s thoughts and feelings.
Journal according to Webster’s dictionary
is: record (as in diary) of daily happenings.
Diary according to Webster’s dictionary is
a record especially for personal
experiences and thoughts. A book.
Is Journaling a Leisure Activity?


Leisure is living in relative freedom from
external forces in order to act from internal
ways that are pleasing, worthwhile, and
provide a basis for faith (Goodale &
Godby, 1985).
Journaling could be leisure if the person is
not being externally forced to write and it
enjoyed. If a person does not prefer
writing, there are other forms… to be
discussed soon.
Aristotle viewed “writing” as leisure

Two types of education according to
Aristotle:
1.
Instruction on how to use leisure honorably:
Reading/ writing, gymnastics, music and art.
2.
Instruction to develop occupational skills:
Math/ money making, household
management, politics and sciences.
Writing is a Creative Art


Pressfield (2002) in his book The War of
Art argues that writing is a form of creative
art. Pressfield’s book discusses how to
use leisure time productively to perfect
one’s craft at writing.
Pressfield had used the same creative
techniques to write the novel: The Legend
of Bagger Vance.
Journaling and gender


Some people argue that journaling is an
activity for women. This has been very
true based on my personal experiences
having provided services for adolescent
males in the past.
Fact that I use: Former U.S. President
Ronald Reagan kept one of the most
detailed dairies among all Presidents in
history.
Benefit: Increase Longevity



Dr. Maoshing Ni (2006), in his book:
Secrets of Longevity: Hundreds of
Ways to Live to be 100 argued that:
Mental stimulating activities (learning and
writing) can stimulate brain cells and in
some cases grow new brain pathways
Suggests that it is good for health to
express one’s mind opposed to holding
feelings inside.
Benefit: Increase Longevity



Ni (2006) compares a “mental dump” with a
bowel movement. Ni argues that a person
should solve this “mental constipation” with the
use of journaling, which could add years to the
lifespan.
Interesting fact: Reagan, had written diaries,
short fiction, sport stories, numerous letters, and
poetry. He was the eldest person to serve as
President, serving from 69 to 77.
Could writing be a factor to his longevity?
Bibliotherapy



Bibliotherapy (wikipedia, 2007) is an
expressive therapy that uses an
individual’s relationship to the book,
poetry, or other written words as therapy.
Bibliotherapy is most often combined with
writing therapy.
You may want to read some of the books
suggested in this session.
Bibliotherapy


The use of Bibliotherapy is also discussed
in Dr. David Austin’s (2003) Therapeutic
Recreation Process and Techniques. 5th
edition. Sagamore Publishing.
It could be beneficial to read famous
journals by people who have suffered
similar incidents and to keep a journal
about their own personal issues.
Use of journaling in schools



Teacher Erin Gruwell a.k.a. Mrs. G. taught
at Woodrow Wilson High School, Long
Beach, California
Being the new teacher, she was given the
worst of the worst.
Children in her class were involved in
gangs, drugs, racial wars, and had
experienced loss from shoots in “the
hood.”
Erin Gruewell’s Strategy



Erin Gruewell realized that her students needed
more than just English.
She used bibliotherapy and writing therapy in
the classroom to help her students to build
esteem, confidence, acceptance of others, how
to cope with issues in life, and so much more
beyond the basic education curriculum of high
school.
She went the extra mile and was criticized by
other teachers because teachers felt she was
making them “look bad.”
Newspapers argue the benefits:





Cathartic writing course records students pain.
Writing to heal: teenagers explore their problems
through writing.
Literature transforms at-risk students.
Teacher stronger than fiction: troubled teens find
hope.
Education: teacher Erin Gruewell used the
Holocaust to teach students about tolerance.
[Students] fill book about horrors of their own.
Diary Entry # 56

I was getting everything off my chest
and it felt damn good. I continued to tell
the class that my father had molested my
sister and how angry I was that my mother
didn’t do anything when she found out
about it.
(Freedom Writer’s Diary)
Comment demonstrates benefit “felt good”
Diary Entry # 136
I write quotes, poems, journal entries, and
stories everyday so that I can escape
reality because sometimes it is
unbearable.
(Freedom Writer’s Diary)
Benefit: shows a healthy escape opposed to
negative coping strategies: drugs,
drinking, violence, etc

Healthy escape in moderation



I recommend using leisure activities for health
escape in moderation.
In example, writing, photography, visual imagery/
day dreaming, relaxing and other activities are
beneficial.
They could become bad if a person uses them to
avoid responsibility, i.e. day dreaming and
writing creating stories about fantasy all day
opposed to solving personal problems.
Another Benefit for Journaling
Peter Mass, a journalist for the New York
Times encouraged and inspired students
to continue to use writing as a form of
empowerment rather then using violence.
(Freedom Writer’s Diary)
Overall, I (Danny P.) highly recommend the
book: The Freedom Writers.

Survivors: You’re not alone.
There is probably a book/ published
journal, biography for any situation
your patient may be suffering.
War, Suffering, Discrimination
Zlata Filipovic
Zlata’s Diary
She was 12 y.o. when
her country Sarajevo
was under attack.
She kept a journal prior
to the war until she
was able to leave the
country as a refugee.
Zlata's experiences:




Having no food, water, electricity, and gas
for over one-year and during the harsh
winter.
Not being able to go to school and play
with her friends
The death of close friends, school mates,
and family from snipers and bombs.
Having to live in a musty basement to stay
alive.
Was journaling therapeutic?

Zlata said: writing was her salvation during
the war and that it kept her sane. She
suggested that writing might be one of the
best vehicles for some of Mrs. Gruewell’s
students to escape their horrific
environments and personal demons.
(Freedom Writer’s Diary, 1999).
Zlata on journaling


If I had a bad day, or I felt sad about
something, and as soon as I was sad,
bothered or worried, I knew where to turn
to first – the diary.
Zlata is my age: 28. She had written her
diary in 1992 at the age of 12. I don’t
imagine many of us in here have suffered
the fate that she had.
Zlata today:


Her diary, once published allowed her an
opportunity to leave the country.
She graduated in 2001 with a B.A. in
human sciences from the University of
Oxford. She lives in Ireland and works to
promote human rights.
Physical Disability
Bethany Hamilton.
Soul Surfer


Bethany was a
teenage surfer living
in Hawaii. She grew
up in the ocean. Both
of her parents were
surfers.
Her arm was bitten off
in a rare shark attack,
first recorded in the
location in Hawaii.
Was her book therapeutic?



She had written her book with a spiritual
advisor and an author.
Bethany poured her heart out to her
spiritual advisor and pastor.
There are scientific studies that prove the
healing benefits for “pouring emotions,”
which we will cover later today.
Bethany today

Bethany continues to surf today. Bethany
was also featured in “Logan Magazine,”
which is a magazine that profiles
successful young people with disabilities.

Logan Magazine could be great for
bibliotherapy.
Logan Olson comments:



I (Danny P.) had a friend request on myspace
from Logan Olson, the Creative Director of
Logan Magazine. I was shocked she found me
because I had recently read the book Soul
Surfer.
Logan posted this comment: I sustained a brain
injury in 2001, My RT always played UNO with
me to get my hands working again. I loved my
PT, OT and ST but I had a blast with my RT.
Love, Logan
Logan said that she is living her dream by
writing, creating and directing her magazine!
Dysfunctional Family
Jeanette Walls
The Glass Castle

Jeanette grew up with
parents who did not
have their priorities
correct. They would
not work. Father left
child with known
abuser. They would
flee and move when
bills piled up, yet they
owned valuable
property.
Was writing therapeutic?

Jeanette Walls stated: “Writing the book
was hugely [therapeutic] on so many
levels.
(MSNBC Interview, 2005).
Substance Abuse
Go Ask Alice
Anonymous
Book could offer
therapeutic
benefits from
people in rehab
trying to quit
drugs/ drinking.

Alice kept a journal
during her youth. It
kept a detailed record
of her thoughts and
feelings and the time
which she began to
experiment with
drugs. Ultimately, she
died from an
overdose.
What you need to start?





A journal, notebook, legal pad, or paper
Pencil, ink pens, colored ink pens work
well with children and young teens, based
on my personal experience.
A place to write.
Time to write.
It is that easy.
Use a timer



Roberta Allen (2002) suggests using a
timer to help a person to concentrate/
focus her or his energy.
Set it for 10, 15, or 30 minutes and write
non-stop regardless until the timer buzzes.
She argues that writing freely, leisurely,
and spontaneously allows one’s true voice
can be found. (Self-discovery).
Other Forms of Self-Expression



What if you do not like writing? Good
news, there are other forms of selfexpression that you can use!
According to the definition of Goodale &
Godby, (1985) it is not leisure if it is
“forced.”
According to Allen (2002) one finds their
true voice (self-concept) through free,
leisurely writing.
Motivation Techniques

Deci & Flaste (1995) Why we do what we
do: the dynamics of personal autonomy:
have a four-step process for developing
internal motivation.
Provide a rationale for the behavior, in this
case: writing.
2. Acknowledge the person’s feelings
3. Invite them to try
4. Allow them to make the choice.
1.
Internal vs. External Motivation


Deci & Flaste (1995) are opposed to
rewarding a person for completing an
appropriate behavior because this puts the
focus on the external “getting a reward”
opposed to the internal “enjoying the
behavior: in this case: writing.”
The behavior, writing, in this case should
be the real reward.
The Real Reward

Anne Lamott (1994) in her book: Bird-by-bird:
some instructions on writing and life argues that
a person should enjoy the process of writing
(internal motivation) opposed to being focused
on getting published (external reward) because
those who write for the money often create work
that is phony to the reader. The reader wants a
real piece of creative art, which can only be
created by one who loves to write.
“But I have too much to tell.”




What if you’ve had many experiences, too
much bad to write?
Use the bird-by-bird technique by Lamott
(1994).
She had to write a report on birds and her
father told her: Anne, just do it bird-by-bird,
in other words, one at a time.
Use baby-steps from what about Bob
movie.
Activity # 1





Let’s play a little game.
First, I want to give thanks to Hal Urban for
special written permission to re-use this
activity.
Select any 3 words from the sheet.
Use each of the 3 words in a different
sentence at the bottom of the sheet.
How do these words make you feel?
Activity # 2




Complete the same process with these
words.
Select any 3 words from the list
Use the 3 words, each in a different
sentence at the bottom of your paper.
Were these sentences more positive?
The purpose of this activity?




To understand the positive effects of words
in our life.
It does not matter if you say think about it
or don’t think about it, the fact that the
word crosses your mind, you have thought
about it.
Focus on the positive.
Keep a gratitude journal to help you focus
on the positive!
Positive words mean:

An increase in the number of positive
words in a person’s journal could
demonstrate an increase in a more
positive attitude.
Elderly and the power of words




Experiment: Willing people who are elder
were randomly selected and sent to one of
two rooms to learn instructions for test.
In room 1: the instructor used words like:
weak, puny, fragile, forgetful.
In room 2: the instructor used words like:
smart, experienced, strong willed, etc.
They were told to walk down hall to a
different room to complete activity.
The real test




There was not a major activity in the room
down the hall.
They timed how long it took for the person
who was elder to walk down the hall.
Which group do you think walked minutes
faster?
Naturally, those who had the instructor
who used positive words.
To increase positive attitude




I have my patients to keep a “Grateful
Journal.” One x per week.
It is a scrapbook, which they keep
pictures, drawings, stickers, quotes, and
items that they are grateful for.
They can open their book anytime to
increase positive feeling of being grateful.
Technique is great for psych facilities.
Positive Reflections Journal Entry



According to (Pennebaker, 1990) an
increase in positive words is an indicator
of an increase in health.
A moderate number of negative words is
an indicator of good health.
Very high and very low levels of negative
words is an indicator of poor health. Low
because person is avoiding truth.
Adaptive Techniques


Poor grip: Use a pencil grip, or get a small
nerf ball and push the pencil/ ink pen
through the middle to allow the person a
better grip.
Use a tape recorder. Expressing emotions
via speaking can be beneficial as well.
The use of drawing


At the facility I work, I had a little boy who
refused to speak about his abuse issues
with his individual counselor.
I am pleased to acknowledge that it was
the recreation therapist who helped him to
open up and start talking about his abuse
through a creative arts project, which they
designed their own life comic book.
The backwards comic


He drew amazing pictures, but his comic
was backwards.
He had written and drew pictures about his
mother being on crack, the men who
would sexually abuse them at the crack
house, and picking up cans on I-64 to
recycle in order to buy food for self and
younger brother.
Manga Technique




The boy told me that he was making his
comic correct and that I (Danny P.) did not
know anything about comics.
I grew up with Batman, Spiderman.
He grew up with Manga and Japanese art.
He introduced his book to me. His book
was interesting that it read: “Property of:
such-and-such county public library.”
Is drawing therapeutic?
The story of “Sparky”
by Earl Nightingale
Nightingale is also the author of
The Strangest Secret Recording
And is considered to be the founder of
The self-help field.
Who was Sparky?

Charles Shultz.
Creator of Charlie Brown,
Snoopy, the Peanuts.
Research on journaling

The majority of research on the topic of
journaling and the healing power of
expressing emotions had been completed
by James Pennebaker, PhD.
Pennebaker studied:






People who have lost jobs
Had spouse to recently die
Survivors of Holocaust
Rape victims
New mothers
Students from grade school to med
Benefits for writing or art



Writing about upsetting events provides both
physical and psychological benefits.
Writing about an issue allows a person to
resolve a difficult problem: divorce, death of a
loved one, war, financial ruin, disability, public
humiliation, etc.
It is a basic need to express one self, rather
visual arts, dance, etc. Von Gough had twisted
visions or art. Hank Williams Jr. has conflicting
musical themes. Writing is just one creative art
for expression, like other master pieces.
Pennebaker on Benefits:







Clears the mind
Resolves traumas
Improves memory
Increase problem-solving skills
Increases ability to cope
Increase creativity
Writing is preventative maintenance/
health promotion.
Evidence suggests:



Writing can improve affect/ mood
Improve immune system/ improve health.
One study by Pennebaker and Ball
revealed based on blood samples taken
shortly after writing, that those who had
written about deepest thoughts and
feelings had increase immune cells
compared to those who had written about
superficial topics.
Activity # 3

Thoughts, Feelings, Solutions Journal
Entry
Door Prize

Look on back of Danny Pettry’s business
card for your lucky number.
Challenge



Create something to express the real you
so you’ll be understood or so that you can
simply understand yourself more.
You have free choice: write a book, create
a painting, a collection of paintings or
doodle art in a journal. Create anything.
Present it next year at this
conference.
Door Prizes!
Earn Continuing Education Online
Danny Pettry’ Rec Therapy CEUs
Online: www.DannyPettry.Com
Contact Information
Email: Danny@dannypettry.com