Expressive writing therapy for adults who stutter : a literature review and proposal for clinical application

The current psychotherapeutic literature on expressive writing therapy offers an evidence-based template for how speech-language pathologists might adapt the technique to treat adults who stutter. Expressive writing therapy builds on the existing clinical tradition of journaling or writing during therapy sessions for people who stutter and has the following advantages: a) ease of administration b) economical dosage c) measurable outcomes. Speech-language pathologists can follow the general guidelines laid out in expressive writing therapy trials while adapting the intervention for adults who stutter in clinical practice. No research has tested the effectiveness of this technique with adults who stutter, but existing research supports its use in this population. This report summarizes the findings of research trials of expressive writing therapy and suggests preliminary guidelines for its application with adults who stutter.