Therapeutic Letter Writing from School Counselors to Students, Parents, and Teachers

Abstract

This article discusses therapeutic letter writing by school counselors as a way of enhancing effectiveness of direct services to students. Writing as an effective therapeutic tool has been well-documented, and therapeutic letter writing specifically has been shown to have positive effects. This article provides a brief literature review, along with sample letters that might be used in elementary, middle, and high school levels. Guidelines for constructing letters are included.

Increasing Personal Agency Through Classical Mythology

“…Reading the letter can help the client see behind the problem, identify hidden resources, or discover personal agency (Oliver et al, 2007). The therapist can use specific examples when commenting on behaviors or changes, and connect these behaviors to outcomes, thus facilitating the client's understanding of the impact on the future (Oliver et al, 2007). This can emphasize the client's role and contribution to the situation, reinforcing the notion she is responsible for herself (Oliver et al, 2007).…”

“…Letters show the client that the therapist heard them; they can also serve as validation, thus deepening the client-therapist relationship (Oliver, Nelson, Cade, & Cueva, 2007). More importantly, letters can assist in deepening the relationship the client has with oneself, through conveying the means in which they are their own agent of change.…”

“…The therapist can use specific examples when commenting on behaviors or changes, and connect these behaviors to outcomes, thus facilitating the client's understanding of the impact on the future (Oliver et al, 2007). This can emphasize the client's role and contribution to the situation, reinforcing the notion she is responsible for herself (Oliver et al, 2007). Letters can be kept long after therapy has ended, allowing clients to refer back to them for help and remind them of the promise they made to themselves (Macdonald, 2001).…”

“…More importantly, letters can assist in deepening the relationship the client has with oneself, through conveying the means in which they are their own agent of change. Reading the letter can help the client see behind the problem, identify hidden resources, or discover personal agency (Oliver et al, 2007). The therapist can use specific examples when commenting on behaviors or changes, and connect these behaviors to outcomes, thus facilitating the client's understanding of the impact on the future (Oliver et al, 2007).…”

Letters From the Future: The Use of Therapeutic Letter Writing in Counseling Sexual Abuse Survivors

“…This edited volume contained suggestions for the use of written exchanges from therapist to client within the psychotherapeutic process. More recently, narrative therapy has been credited with using therapeutic letters as a specific, intentional, and valued component of the therapeutic process (Monk, Winslade, Crocket, & Epston, 1997;Oliver, Nelson, Cade, & Cueva, 2007;White & Epston, 1990). Contemporary therapeutic letters have taken many forms and have been intended to help clients find solutions to their problems (Andrews, Clark, & Baird, 1997).…”