What is Expressive Writing
Expressive writing is a proven technique that helps people process emotions, reduce stress, and promote healing. At SurvivingBreastCancer.org, we offer expressive writing sessions tailored specifically for those navigating a breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, or survivorship.
Why Expressive Writing Works
Reduce anxiety and depression through storytelling
Process complex emotions around diagnosis and survivorship
Connect with others in a safe, supportive environment
Improve overall emotional well-being and clarity
- Reflective Writing for Metastatic Breast CancerFri, May 23Online Event
"Expressive writing has been my outlet during treatment. I’ve never felt so seen and supported."
- Multiple Dates
Backed by Research
Expressive writing isn't just therapeutic—it’s backed by science.
For decades, researchers have studied the emotional and physical health benefits of expressive writing, particularly for people coping with chronic illness and trauma. For those impacted by breast cancer, the act of writing can be a profound tool for reflection, resilience, and renewal.
Improves Emotional Well-being:
According to Dr. James Pennebaker, a pioneer in expressive writing research, writing about emotional experiences can lead to significant improvements in mental health, including reduced stress, anxiety, and depression [1].
Supports Immune Function:
A landmark study showed that expressive writing may even improve immune system functioning and decrease the number of visits to the doctor [2].
Helps Process Trauma and Grief:
A meta-analysis published in the journal Health Psychology found that expressive writing can be particularly helpful in reducing symptoms of PTSD and supporting emotional recovery after trauma, including illness-related trauma.
Enhances Meaning-Making:
Writing helps individuals make sense of their experiences, identify patterns, and find meaning—even during difficult health journeys. This sense of meaning has been linked to improved psychological resilience in cancer patients [4] as well as allowing individual to process complex emotions associated with one's diagnosis [5].
- Multiple Dates
References:
[1]. Pennebaker, J. W., & Beall, S. K. (1986). Confronting a traumatic event: Toward an understanding of inhibition and disease. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 95(3), 274–281.
[2]. Pennebaker, J.W. (1997). Writing about emotional experiences as a therapeutic process. Psychological Science, 8(3), 162–166.
[3]. Frisina, P. G., Borod, J. C., & Lepore, S. J. (2004). A meta-analysis of the effects of written emotional disclosure on the health outcomes of clinical populations. Health Psychology, 23(6), 763–771.
[4]. Stanton, A. L., et al. (2002). Randomized, controlled trial of written emotional expression and benefit finding in reast cancer patients. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 20(20), 4160–4168.
[5]. Patient Education and Counseling. (2022). Using expressive writing to improve cancer caregiver and patient outcomes: A systematic review.