Intervention: Written Techniques for Changing Attitudes and Behaviours

Abstract

How can we use written techniques in helping clients to solve problems or change attitudes or behaviour? As we discussed previously, putting things in writing makes them concrete. Words spoken can disappear: we forget or lose what seemed important in a previous interview. Writing things down can be a way of holding onto difficult or complex attitudes or feelings while they are being worked on and can make it difficult to avoid them. If we write down promised actions, the paper represents a commitment (although we can, of course, tear it up!). It also is a means of review. If we write down strong or forbidden feelings we are more likely to acknowledge them and face them: in talking they can drift away. Sometimes a client may write a letter to a worker in order to share difficult feelings or experiences e.g. about abuse or sexuality which he or she would find too threatening to begin to explore face to face.