Write Yourself

Dr. Gillie Bolton has researched and practised in reflective and therapeutic writing for personal and professional development for twenty five years, and has written and edited six books, one of which is now in its third edition. A grandmother of three, she lives in Bloomsbury, London, and Hope Valley, Derbyshire.

In her latest book, Write Yourself, Bolton offers ways into expressive writing, information on writing with specific groups, and detailed advice on how to facilitate writing groups. It is a handbook for anyone interested in the field of creative writing and personal development, which Bolton believes should be an "open and less rule bound field". Nurses, doctors, therapists and social workers are named as potentially "excellent facilitators". It is this feeling of generosity and inclusiveness which infuses the book and Bolton's work.

• Foreword by Nicholas F. Mazza, Ph.D. Acknowledgements. Preface. Part 1: Creative Personal Writing - What, Why, How, Who When, Where. 1. Becoming Our Own Shaman: Introduction to Therapeutic Creative Writing. 2. 'A Story of Gaining Understanding and Insight': How to Begin. 3. 'I Got in Touch with Myself': Values, Principles, Practice. Part 2:Writing with Specific Groups. 4. 'Secrets Kept Safe and Sound': Children Writing. 5. 'Writing is a Way of Saying Things I Can't Say': Writing with the Very Sick. 6. 'Keep Taking the Words': Writing to Help with Anxiety, Depression and Mental Health. 7. 'Follow the Wings of the Imagination': Writing and Therapy or Counselling. 8. 'Writing Gives us Wings so We Can Fly': Writing in Substance and Alcohol Abuse Treatment. 9. 'Ideas Hunt Me, Catch Me, Make Me Write': Writing for Victims of Torture and Asylum Seekers. 10. A Craft to Take You Through Storms, and Keep You Still': Writing in Prison. 11. Understanding Misunderstanding: Reflective Writing for Professional Development. Part 3: How to Run Groups; Conclusion. 12. Mystery and Mastery: Running Therapeutic Creative Writing Groups. 13. 'It Helped Me Get Involved with Myself': Running Residential Writing Groups. 14. 'Tread Softly Because You Tread on My Dreams': Conclusion, a Conversation Between Juhani Ihanus and Gillie Bolton. Appendix: Writing Exercises by Theme. Bibliography. Index.