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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>= Therapeutic letter =<br />
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== Short definition ==<br />
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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.<br />
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== Level ==<br />
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[[LEVEL 4 — TECHNIQUES AND INTERVENTIONS]]<br />
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== Expanded definition ==<br />
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Therapeutic letters are used in [[Narrative]] Therapy and systemic practice to strengthen and continue therapeutic conversations beyond the session.<br />
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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.<br />
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Therapeutic letters are not ordinary clinical summaries.<br />
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They are carefully written documents that aim to support meaning, memory and preferred change.<br />
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They often use the person's own language and may be written to individuals, couples, families, groups or networks.<br />
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== Purpose of this technique ==<br />
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The purpose of a therapeutic letter is to help important meanings from therapy remain available after the session.<br />
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It can strengthen preferred stories, honour values, document change, invite reflection and support continuity between meetings.<br />
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A therapeutic letter may also help people feel witnessed and taken seriously.<br />
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== When to use this technique ==<br />
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Use this technique when:<br />
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* a session has produced important new meanings<br />
* a preferred story is beginning to emerge<br />
* the person wants something to return to between sessions<br />
* values, resistance or commitments need documenting<br />
* therapy needs continuity between meetings<br />
* a family or network may benefit from shared reflection<br />
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== How to use this technique ==<br />
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Write the letter in clear, respectful and experience-near language.<br />
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Use the person's own words where possible.<br />
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Avoid professional jargon unless it is useful to the person.<br />
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Include what stood out, what was valued, what was resisted, what questions remain, and what possibilities may be developing.<br />
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Check whether the person wants the letter, who it should be addressed to, and whether it should be shared with anyone else.<br />
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== Example prompts / questions ==<br />
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A therapeutic letter might include phrases such as:<br />
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* "I was struck by the way you described..."<br />
* "You gave a name to something important when you said..."<br />
* "I wondered whether this might connect with..."<br />
* "The problem seemed to have less influence when..."<br />
* "Your commitment to... appeared strongly in the conversation."<br />
* "I wonder what you might notice before we next meet."<br />
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== Non-clinical example ==<br />
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A mentor writes a letter to a student after a difficult review meeting.<br />
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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.<br />
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== Clinical example ==<br />
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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.<br />
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The letter helps the family remember the conversation when conflict begins to return.<br />
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== What this technique can open up ==<br />
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Therapeutic letters can open up:<br />
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* continuity between sessions<br />
* reflection after therapy<br />
* preferred story development<br />
* recognition of values and commitments<br />
* documentation of resistance<br />
* shared family or network conversations<br />
* further questions for future sessions<br />
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== Risks, cautions and ethical considerations ==<br />
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Therapeutic letters can feel exposing if shared without consent.<br />
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The therapist should be careful about confidentiality, audience, tone and language.<br />
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Letters should not impose meaning or overstate change.<br />
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They should be collaborative, respectful and accountable to the person's own words.<br />
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== Questions before using this technique ==<br />
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* What purpose would a letter serve?<br />
* Does the person want a written document?<br />
* Who should the letter be addressed to?<br />
* What language belongs to the person?<br />
* Could anything in the letter feel exposing or unsafe?<br />
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== Questions during use ==<br />
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* Am I using the person's own words?<br />
* Am I documenting meaning rather than giving expert judgement?<br />
* Am I honouring complexity?<br />
* Am I avoiding jargon?<br />
* Am I leaving space for further reflection?<br />
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== Questions after use ==<br />
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* Was the letter useful to the person or family?<br />
* Did it support preferred meanings?<br />
* Did it invite further reflection?<br />
* Did anything need correcting or clarifying?<br />
* How might the letter shape the next session?<br />
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== Related epistemologies ==<br />
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[[Narrative epistemology]]<br />
[[Social constructionism]]<br />
[[Poststructuralist epistemology]]<br />
[[Relational epistemology]]<br />
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== Related schools and models ==<br />
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[[Narrative Therapy]]<br />
[[Systemic Therapy]]<br />
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== Related concepts ==<br />
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[[Therapeutic documents]]<br />
[[Preferred story]]<br />
[[Preferred story#Agency|Agency]]<br />
[[Resistance]]<br />
[[Absent but implicit#Values|Values]]<br />
[[Absent but implicit#Commitments|Commitments]]<br />
[[Witnessing questions|Witnessing]]<br />
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== Related methods ==<br />
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[[Narrative letter writing]]<br />
[[Therapeutic documents]]<br />
[[Preferred story development]]<br />
[[Re-authoring conversations]]<br />
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== Related pathways ==<br />
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[[Narrative pathway]]<br />
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== Key theorists / contributors ==<br />
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[[Michael White]]<br />
[[David Epston]]<br />
[[David Denborough]]<br />
[[Alice Morgan]]<br />
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== Key texts / references ==<br />
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* White, M., & Epston, D. (1990). ''Narrative Means to Therapeutic Ends''. Norton.<br />
* White, M. (1995). ''Re-Authoring Lives''. Dulwich Centre Publications.<br />
* White, M. (2007). ''Maps of Narrative Practice''. Norton.<br />
* Morgan, A. (2000). ''What Is Narrative Therapy? An Easy-to-Read Introduction''. Dulwich Centre Publications.<br />
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== Notes / source material ==<br />
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Therapeutic letters are most useful when they extend the person's own meanings rather than replacing them with professional interpretation.<br />
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<blockquote><br />
'''Review status'''<br />
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'''Status:''' Open for review<br />
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'''Review history:'''<br />
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''(No reviews yet.)''<br />
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