A Qualitative Study on the Use of Therapeutic Writing in Processing Grief and Loss
Keywords:
Therapeutic writing, grief, loss, emotional expression, cognitive processing, social connection, grief therapy, emotional catharsis, meaning-makingAbstract
This study aimed to explore the role of therapeutic writing in processing grief and loss, focusing on its impact on emotional expression, cognitive processing, and social connection. The study sought to understand the lived experiences of individuals who engaged in therapeutic writing as a means of coping with grief, providing insights into the mechanisms and benefits of this practice. A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 20 participants who had experienced significant loss and used therapeutic writing in their grieving process. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure diverse perspectives. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, with themes identified related to emotional expression, cognitive processing, and social connection. Theoretical saturation was achieved, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon under study. The analysis revealed three main themes: emotional expression, cognitive processing, and social connection. Therapeutic writing facilitated emotional catharsis, helping participants identify and understand their emotions, reduce stress, and preserve memories of their loved ones. It also aided in making sense of their loss, reframing experiences, solving problems, and organizing thoughts. Socially, writing allowed participants to share their grief, feel understood, build legacies, form therapeutic alliances, and connect with communities. Participants reported significant emotional relief, cognitive clarity, and enhanced social support through the practice of therapeutic writing. Therapeutic writing offers a multifaceted approach to processing grief, providing emotional, cognitive, and social benefits. It serves as an effective tool for emotional expression, cognitive restructuring, and social connection, contributing to the overall well-being of individuals coping with loss. These findings highlight the potential of therapeutic writing in grief therapy, suggesting its integration into clinical practice to support bereaved individuals.
Downloads
References
Alves, D., Fernández‐Navarro, P., Ribeiro, A. P., Ribeiro, E., & Gonçalves, M. M. (2014). Ambivalence and Innovative Moments in Grief Psychotherapy: The Cases of Emily and Rose. Psychotherapy, 51(2), 308-321. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031151
Arslan, B. Ş., & Buldukoğlu, K. (2021). Grief Rituals and Grief Reactions of Bereaved Individuals During the COVID-19 Pandemic. OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying, 87(4), 1293-1307. https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228211037591
Babis, D. (2020). Digital Mourning on Facebook: The Case of Filipino Migrant Worker Live-in Caregivers in Israel. Media Culture & Society, 43(3), 397-410. https://doi.org/10.1177/0163443720957550
Blueford, J. M., & Gibbons, M. M. (2019). Elementary School Counselors Supporting Students Experiencing Anticipatory Grief. Professional School Counseling, 23(1), 2156759X2094065. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759x20940653
Bowman, T. (2021). Lessons From the Field. Family Grief Care and Bibliotherapy: A Call for Models and Studies. Family Relations, 70(2), 402-407. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12539
Breen, L. J., Greene, D., Rees, C. S., Black, A., & Cawthorne, M. (2022). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Grief Interventions for Anxiety and Depression in Young People. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/gy9wv
Dreher, D. E. (2015). “To Tell My Story”. Illness Crisis & Loss, 24(1), 3-14. https://doi.org/10.1177/1054137315587628
Ennis, N., & Cartagena, G. (2020). Therapeutic Writing as a Tool to Facilitate Therapeutic Process in the Context of Living With HIV: A Case Study Examining Partner Loss. Psychotherapy, 57(1), 68-74. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000259
Finn, C. A. (2003). Helping Students Cope With Loss: Incorporating Art Into Group Counseling. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 28(2), 155-165. https://doi.org/10.1080/714860157
Furnes, B., & Dysvik, E. (2010). A Systematic Writing Program as a Tool in the Grief Process: Part 1. Patient Preference and Adherence, 425. https://doi.org/10.2147/ppa.s14864
Furnes, B., & Dysvik, E. (2011). Results From a Systematic Writing Program in Grief Process: Part 2. Patient Preference and Adherence, 15. https://doi.org/10.2147/ppa.s15155
Greeff, S. (2025). Creating a Bereavement Memorial Protocol Using Art Therapy: Reflecting on Two Case Studies. Sajat, 1(1), 28-49. https://doi.org/10.36615/sajat.v1i1.2497
Kaiser, J., Nagl, M., Hoffmann, R., Linde, K., & Kersting, A. (2022). Therapist-Assisted Web-Based Intervention for Prolonged Grief Disorder After Cancer Bereavement: Randomized Controlled Trial. Jmir Mental Health, 9(2), e27642. https://doi.org/10.2196/27642
Lehmann, O. V. (2025). Experiences of Fathers in Norway Attending an Online Course on Therapeutic Writing After the Death of a Child. Qualitative Health Research, 34(5), 458-472. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323231216099
Lehmann, O. V., Neimeyer, R. A., Thimm, J. C., Hjeltnes, A., Lengelle, R., & Kalstad, T. G. (2022). Experiences of Norwegian Mothers Attending an Online Course of Therapeutic Writing Following the Unexpected Death of a Child. Frontiers in psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.809848
Lichtenthal, W. G., & Cruess, D. G. (2010). Effects of Directed Written Disclosure on Grief and Distress Symptoms Among Bereaved Individuals. Death Studies, 34(6), 475-499. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2010.483332
Linde, K., Treml, J., Steinig, J., Nagl, M., & Kersting, A. (2017). Grief Interventions for People Bereaved by Suicide: A Systematic Review. PLoS One, 12(6), e0179496. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0179496
Matthews, A. (2019). Writing Through Grief: Using Autoethnography to Help Process Grief After the Death of a Loved One. Methodological Innovations, 12(3), 205979911988956. https://doi.org/10.1177/2059799119889569
Raphael, B., Dobson, M., & Minkov, C. (2001). Psychotherapeutic and Pharmacological Intervention for Bereaved Persons. 587-612. https://doi.org/10.1037/10436-025
Savitri, S. I., Takwin, B., Ariyanto, A., & Aribowo, R. T. (2019). Expressive Writing Changes Grief Into Meaning – A Sequential Explanatory Design Approach. Couns-Edu| the International Journal of Counseling and Education, 4(3), 102-113. https://doi.org/10.23916/0020190423740
Unterhitzenberger, J., & Rosner, R. (2014). Lessons From Writing Sessions: A School-Based Randomized Trial With Adolescent Orphans in Rwanda. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.3402/ejpt.v5.24917
Wikander, B., Wikström, B.-M., & Elfström, T. (2012). Using Narratives to Express Bereavement: An Interview Study on Professional Female Writers Experiences That in Their Middle Age Have Lost Their Mothers. Open Journal of Nursing, 02(02), 41-47. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojn.2012.22008
