Therapeutic letter
Therapeutic letter
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Short definition
A therapeutic letter is a written document that extends the therapy conversation by recording meanings, questions, values, commitments and preferred stories that emerged in a session.
Level
LEVEL 4 — TECHNIQUES AND INTERVENTIONS
Expanded definition
Therapeutic letters are used in Narrative Therapy and systemic practice to strengthen and continue therapeutic conversations beyond the session.
A letter may summarise what was discussed, reflect the person's own words, honour acts of resistance, ask further questions, document preferred identity claims, or invite the person to notice future developments.
Therapeutic letters are not ordinary clinical summaries.
They are carefully written documents that aim to support meaning, memory and preferred change.
They often use the person's own language and may be written to individuals, couples, families, groups or networks.
Purpose of this technique
The purpose of a therapeutic letter is to help important meanings from therapy remain available after the session.
It can strengthen preferred stories, honour values, document change, invite reflection and support continuity between meetings.
A therapeutic letter may also help people feel witnessed and taken seriously.
When to use this technique
Use this technique when:
- a session has produced important new meanings
- a preferred story is beginning to emerge
- the person wants something to return to between sessions
- values, resistance or commitments need documenting
- therapy needs continuity between meetings
- a family or network may benefit from shared reflection
How to use this technique
Write the letter in clear, respectful and experience-near language.
Use the person's own words where possible.
Avoid professional jargon unless it is useful to the person.
Include what stood out, what was valued, what was resisted, what questions remain, and what possibilities may be developing.
Check whether the person wants the letter, who it should be addressed to, and whether it should be shared with anyone else.
Example prompts / questions
A therapeutic letter might include phrases such as:
- "I was struck by the way you described..."
- "You gave a name to something important when you said..."
- "I wondered whether this might connect with..."
- "The problem seemed to have less influence when..."
- "Your commitment to... appeared strongly in the conversation."
- "I wonder what you might notice before we next meet."
Non-clinical example
A mentor writes a letter to a student after a difficult review meeting.
The letter records the student's persistence, the questions they are still carrying, and the small steps they decided to try before the next meeting.
Clinical example
After a family session, the therapist writes a letter summarising how the family named "the blame cycle", noticed moments of care, and identified a shared wish for calmer conversations.
The letter helps the family remember the conversation when conflict begins to return.
What this technique can open up
Therapeutic letters can open up:
- continuity between sessions
- reflection after therapy
- preferred story development
- recognition of values and commitments
- documentation of resistance
- shared family or network conversations
- further questions for future sessions
Risks, cautions and ethical considerations
Therapeutic letters can feel exposing if shared without consent.
The therapist should be careful about confidentiality, audience, tone and language.
Letters should not impose meaning or overstate change.
They should be collaborative, respectful and accountable to the person's own words.
Questions before using this technique
- What purpose would a letter serve?
- Does the person want a written document?
- Who should the letter be addressed to?
- What language belongs to the person?
- Could anything in the letter feel exposing or unsafe?
Questions during use
- Am I using the person's own words?
- Am I documenting meaning rather than giving expert judgement?
- Am I honouring complexity?
- Am I avoiding jargon?
- Am I leaving space for further reflection?
Questions after use
- Was the letter useful to the person or family?
- Did it support preferred meanings?
- Did it invite further reflection?
- Did anything need correcting or clarifying?
- How might the letter shape the next session?
Related epistemologies
Narrative epistemology Social constructionism Poststructuralist epistemology Relational epistemology
Related schools and models
Narrative Therapy Systemic Therapy
Related concepts
Therapeutic documents Preferred story Agency Resistance Values Commitments Witnessing
Related methods
Narrative letter writing Therapeutic documents Preferred story development Re-authoring conversations
Related pathways
Key theorists / contributors
Michael White David Epston David Denborough Alice Morgan
Key texts / references
- White, M., & Epston, D. (1990). Narrative Means to Therapeutic Ends. Norton.
- White, M. (1995). Re-Authoring Lives. Dulwich Centre Publications.
- White, M. (2007). Maps of Narrative Practice. Norton.
- Morgan, A. (2000). What Is Narrative Therapy? An Easy-to-Read Introduction. Dulwich Centre Publications.
Notes / source material
Therapeutic letters are most useful when they extend the person's own meanings rather than replacing them with professional interpretation.
Review status
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