Creative Writing Exercises for Mental Health includes 30 exercises to help individuals or groups process important life events and topics through creative writing. Topics range from holidays and seasons to personal life events to abstract ideas. Every writer can find their voice through these simple exercises that are designed for brief use, in-depth personal writing, or anywhere in between.

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.

Creative Writing for Counselors and their Clients offers a variety of writing exercises from journaling, poetry and songs to help heal wounds, enhance memory, and restructure negative feelings and attitudes which prevent positive change. These exercises have also been tested by author Steve Flick M.F.A. in therapy, schools, prisons, and professional courses and are proven to lower blood pressure, reduce doctor's visits, and improve relationships.

Virtually everyone copes with significant grief and turmoil at times. WRITING THROUGH THE DARKNESS offers a menu of writing approaches--freewriting, memoir, poetry, and storytelling--to alleviate the anguish, confusion, and pain associated with depression. Quotes and writing samples from students provide inspiration and encouragement, and extensive resources direct readers to additional writing prompts, instruction, and accurate mental health information and assistance. Practical how-to discussions and plentiful exercises demonstrate how writing can help those with depression modulate their moods, develop greater insight, feel a sense of accomplishment, and reconstruct a damaged life. A practical and supportive guide to using creative writing exercises to ease the symptoms of depression. One in five people will struggle with depression during their lifetime. Research-based techniques and stories from a decade of results with a Stanford University writing group for people with mood disorders. Cites the latest research proving the efficacy of writing to help people deal with depressive symptoms and emotional trauma. Reviews"The material is wonderfully presented and approachable from many angles."-Fore Word Magazine

Psychologists tell us that writing helps us cope with and recover from depression, anxiety, job loss and even heartbreak. Exciting new research shows that we can flourish further by actively choosing to write about positive emotions. Journaling is a hot trend - for personal expression, creativity, self-actualisation and goal-setting. In Write Yourself Happy, author Megan Hayes shows us how, using positive journaling, we can journal more consciously, writing in a way that engages and promotes our most supportive and life-affirming emotions. This practical workbook demonstrates how to put eight of the most commonly experienced positive emotions - joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, awe and love - to work, helping us not simply to feel better, but to live better. Based on ground-breaking research in positive psychology, and backed up by extensive scientific studies, the book includes practical exercises and case studies to inspire readers to shift their focus, use different words, see the world in a subtly different way - and discover how things go right when we write. Praise for Write Yourself Happy: 'The power of positivity comes together with the power of the pen. It is a mighty force for well-being.' - Miriam Akhtar MAPP, Author of Positive Psychology for Overcoming Depression and What is Post-traumatic Growth? 'Write Yourself Happy is filled with practical, applied and scientifically proven methods - it offers readers a direct path to increase positivity and sustain happiness. It is the perfect resource for optimal wellbeing.' - Daniel J Tomasulo, PhD, TEP, MFA, MAPP, Psychologist and author of Character Strengths Matter 'This book is ideal for anyone who is looking for a creative and uplifting path to happiness. Megan's encouraging tone and fun exercises not only boost your mood but also help you to forge a stronger connection with yourself. I highly recommend the read - and doing each of the writing exercises in it!' - Susanna Halonen, The Happyologist® and author of Screw Finding Your Passion 'Forget the pressure to become a perfectionist Photoshop you. Write Yourself Happy is about easing into a reality that already exists and needs nothing more to bloom than pen on paper. Let the scientifically nuanced and reassuring rhythm of your compassionate Sherpa Megan C Hayes steal you away.' - Kristen Truempy, MAPP, Creator of the Positive Psychology Podcast 'Megan artfully combines the world of writing with positive psychology producing this guide to 'writing yourself happy'. Written with a delicate balance of scientifically based wellbeing advice alongside an open playfulness that allows the reader to consider and interpret things for themselves. It is thanks to reading this book that my clients, and of course myself, enjoy the many benefits of Positive Journaling.' - Samantha Spafford, Psychologist and Director of Positive Mind Works

This is a versatile book of inspiring, ready-to-use, creative writing activities. Each activity has been designed to encourage writers, providing interesting and fun projects that promote positive healthy emotions, such as thankfulness, fun, happiness, hopefulness, love, wonder, inspiration, creativity, etc. This title includes activities that are attractively presented to help inspire the writer and enhance the appearance of the project. The activities help writers to explore a wide range of positive emotional experiences that may contribute to their wellbeing and mental health. This title includes simple and fun activities that can be used with individuals or groups. It encompasses a wide variety of practical, everyday writing styles and skills, such as thank you cards, shopping lists, instructions, recipes, etc. The activities are not intended to explore painful emotional experiences so can be used safely by non-professionals and individuals working on their own. This book is useful for anyone working with older children, teenagers, and adults of all ages, and in a wide variety of contexts.

Using Your Words to Heal A holistic approach to recovering from trauma. Creative writing is increasingly becoming a go-to method for trauma recovery. There is great power in the written word, and even more so when those words are our own. Journaling provides a cathartic release of emotions because it allows us to not only process past experiences but also reflect on how we're feeling in the present moment. In this way, writing is one of the most easily accessible self-care practices. Give voice to what has been silenced. Healing from trauma can be a slow and painful process, especially for sexual trauma survivors, who are often shamed into keeping their experience to themselves. This companion journal to Jen Cross's book Writing Ourselves Whole is a space to put the pain on a page, and in doing so, release the hold it has on us and restore our bodies and minds. Creativity as a tool for change. Trauma and violence leave a distinct mark on our lives, one that is not easily erased. Writing on our own or with a community or group can be an extremely transformative process for creating change both within ourselves and socially. It encourages discussions about mental and emotional health that lead to finding more approaches to healing. Jen Cross has worked with sexual trauma survivors for over fifteen years and founded an organization that is devoted to creating spaces for survivors to write and talk about their experiences. In this self-help journal, you will find: A 60-day guided journey to healing from your experience Sixteen writing exercises that gently prompt writers deeper into their experiences and into renewal Follow-up readings, additional exercises, and suggested uses for your writing If you've worked through books such as Start Where You Are, Healing the Wounded Heart, and Present, Not Perfect then Our Words Restore Us will provide further support and restoration for your healing process.