Writing as an aid in pastoral counseling and psychotherapy

Summary A method of spontaneous note-writing has been presented. When the material is handled like any verbal associations in a therapeutic session, this technique has been especially helpful with the majority of patients in facilitating free association, overcoming resistance, gaining access to deep material more quickly, working through the positive and negative phases of the transference and promoting insight. It helps patients to expose themselves earlier in treatment, to express their conscious thoughts, and to furnish material for discussion. It is a form of mental catharsis.This technique aids in showing the progress, trends, and method of therapy, and to observe the needs and strivings of the patient. In a few instances, due to particular problems, the method was not advantageous. It means additional work for both therapist and patient. It cannot take the place of spontaneous verbalization in the therapeutic session; however, it can aid both patient and therapist in facilitating treatment, and provides another adjunct to the procedural psychotherapy.