Journeying through shame: The therapeutic use of creative writing in helping older adults navigate shame

Abstract

The therapeutic use of creative writing across the age span with individuals experiencing a variety of physical and mental health conditions has been well documented (e.g. Pennebaker, 1990; Bolton, Howlett, Lago & Wright, 2004; Den Elzen & Lengelle, 2023). This paper will reflect on the use of creative writing in helping older adults navigate shame. Three key ways shame can show up in therapy: voice, validation and vision, will be explored through the use of anonymised case examples.