Effects of expressive writing on posttraumatic stress symptoms and other traumas: Case study of male clients in therapy settings

This paper provides a demonstration of the effectiveness and advantages of expressive writing intervention as a quick and effective way to work male clients in therapy settings, particularly those exhibiting posttraumatic stress symptoms and other traumas. The paper also offers theoretical concepts that might explain how or why the method works and what might explain its effectiveness and particularly why the effect size for the method is larger for males than females. The technique is seen as a positive and time-efficient technique as an adjunct to the more traditional techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy as used in the brief therapy settings as offered by Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providers and Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services in primary care and it can also be used by clients, particularly men, who do not have easy access to therapeutic help because, for example, they are in prison. The paper also provides implications on how it has been found that the method is particularly effective with male clients who may find it a much more acceptable treatment method.