Expressive writing is life-based writing that focuses on authentic expression of lived experience, with resultant insight, growth, and skill-building. Therapists, coaches, healthcare professionals, and educators have known for decades that expressive writing is a powerful tool for better living, learning, and healing. But until now, few have had access to practical applications that have proven successful. In this groundbreaking collection, you ll discover: .how expressive writing can call us into healing community .exciting new discoveries about how writing can support neuroplasticity and actually help change our brains and thus our thinking and behavior .new research on the role of expressive writing for prevention of compassion fatigue in RNs .how transformative writing can create art from the ashes of trauma .the role of journal writing for emotional balance .sensible ideas about the synergy of expressive writing and play therapy for children, teens, and adults .interventions and strategies for the use of expressive writing in acute psychiatric care .how interactive expressive writing helps deaf teens communicate inarticulate feelings and thoughts .how cancer survivors can use expressive writing to reclaim identity and strength post-treatment .the role of expressive writing in developing the roots of resilience for practitioners