Laura Hope-Gill, Natural Philosopher

When I was fifteen, I had to complete my “duo” at summer camp in the Northwoods of Ontario on Georgian Bay. Some campers chose “solo” of “duo,” and I was happy to be with a friend. The Solo/Duo are rights of passage for camp girls like us, kids from Toronto mostly who with the help of YWCA slough off the city for three week sessions. All previous summers lead up to this three-day experience of being entirely removed from the human world. Counselors steered us in an aluminum fishing boat to our position on an uninhabited lake where we unloaded our provisions.

This is my next offering. I will share what I’ve come to see as my natural way of thinking, seeing, and enjoying the world through the enchantment of storytelling. You will enjoy writing creatively far out of reach of cloying critique as we restore creativity to its medicinal and navigational purpose. You will be amazed by this, as I am amazed by it every day.

Some campers chose the hard-core and legendary “three handfuls of oatmeal and five matches.” We chose no to do that and arrived on our rocky shore with the makings of mac-and-cheese, french toast, eggs, PB&J’s, and a whole big box of matches. On the final night of our experience, I woke to the deep silence of the Bay and wandered out of our tent. It was as though I had been awakened, awakened and invited to step into the infinity of stars shining above and reflected in the waves caused by a balmy wind. I slipped out of my gigantic sleep t-shirt and dove into that mirror. When I got out, I stood still to feel the wind and to dry without getting my sleep shirt all wet. Something about the wind spoke to me, to my body, not with words but also not with pure silence. I heard it. I listened, heard, and promised I would not forget. That promise has shaped my entirely life.

As a natural philosopher, I hold nature, science, art, creativity, and critical thought all in equal proportion as ways of being and experiencing. This was the way of being up until the Renaissance, as famously practiced by DaVinci and Michelangelo, among others. Before Philosophy, Science, Humanities, Mathematics, Music, and Art were broken apart in The Enlightenment, these formed Natural Philosophy, also known as Alchemy, which holds our inner and outer worlds as being in balance if we’re doing life right. Natural Philosophy is the term for living an embodied life. All of these come together in subtle and mysterious ways when we are telling stories. This is why we are all witnessing the rise of storytelling in every area of science and culture.

As a natural philosopher, my imaginal, personal, and professional lives coexist in balance as a result of ceaseless creativity and reflection from early childhood til now. I encourage everyone I encounter to create. I teach Creative Writing of Poetry and Creative Nonfiction at the Thomas Wolfe MFA Creative Writing Program at Lenoir-Rhyne University. My courses are all in Zoom so people can take them from anywhere. I also teach Narrative Medicine, Poetic Medicine, Expressive Writing, and other therapeutic creativities.

My creativity is manifold: painting, poetry, essay, architectural history, and improv piano. All of it is who I am, not what I do, as this is how I keep it free and safe. I delight in it, roll around in it, live and breathe it. Nothing is outside it. I share it if it will bring a little light into the world. I keep it to myself if it will upset.

A key requirement of natural philosophy is extreme sensitivity. This is what I cultivate and embrace even in the face of fear. Creativity makes this possible by both providing means of processing gallons upon gallons of emotional stimuli and by maintaining ongoing receptivity to these gallons. Creativity is the reward for facing fear. When we have a broad range of life and meaning to draw from, we recognize the deeper entwining constituting the nature of things.

Here is some of the data from research regarding the healing and curative properties of writing, storytelling, poetry, and folklore. This is why I am so fascinated!

Positive Outcomes of Storytelling-and-Poetry Based Practices in Clinical Medical Practice

(The following reports were compiled by ChatGPT. I am vetting them for hallucination.)

Summary of Key Studies in Poetry and Psychiatry

1. Evaluation of the Effects of Music and Poetry in Oncologic Pain Relief (2015)
   Randomized trial with hospitalized cancer patients showed listening to poetry (and music) reduced pain and depression; poetry uniquely increased hope.

2. Effects of a Group Poetry Therapy Program on Stress, Anxiety, Ego-Resilience, and Psychological Well-Being of Nursing Students (2022)
   A 10-session group poetry therapy intervention led to reductions in stress and anxiety and improvements in psychological well-being and ego-resilience; effects maintained at 5-week follow-up.

3. Effects of a Poetry Intervention on Emotional Wellbeing in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients (2021)
   Children aged 8–17 engaged in poetry reading and writing; reduced fear, sadness, anger, worry, and fatigue, with qualitative benefits noted.

4. Effectiveness of Group Poetry Therapy on Emotional Expression in Patients with Schizophrenia (2016)
   Chronic schizophrenia patients participated in 11 weeks of group poetry therapy; enhanced positive emotional expressivity and reduced negative expressivity and impulse strength.

5. Mental Health Recovery and Creative Writing Groups: a Systematic Review (2019)
   Reviewed group-based creative writing including poetry; evidence suggests reduced depression and improvements in connectedness, identity, empowerment.

6. Poetry Interventions in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care: A Scoping Review (2025)
   Poetry-based interventions showed subtle therapeutic effects such as improved sense of personhood, engagement, and mood.

7. Effectiveness of Poetry Therapy on PTSD Clients (2024)
   Small pilot study showed that poetry therapy reduced PTSD symptoms significantly.

Detailed Table: Methods, Participants, Outcomes

Study	Participants & Setting	Intervention / Method	Duration / Sessions	Measures / Outcomes	Key Findings
Oncologic Pain Relief	~65 adult cancer inpatients	Passive listening to poems	3 days	Pain (VAS), Depression (BDI), Hope (Herth Hope Scale)	Poetry reduced pain & depression; increased hope.
Nursing Students	49 nursing students	Group poetry therapy program	10 sessions; 5-week follow-up	Stress, Anxiety, Ego-resilience, Psychological Well-being	Significant decreases in stress & anxiety; improvements in well-being & resilience.
Pediatric Hospitalized Patients	44 children aged 8-17 + caregivers	Poetry reading & writing exercises	Pre-/post intervention during hospitalization	Fear, Sadness, Anger, Worry, Fatigue, Pain + qualitative feedback	Significant reductions in all except pain; qualitative benefits noted.
Schizophrenia	22 chronic patients	Group poetry therapy vs no therapy	11 weeks	Emotional expressivity, impulse strength	Increased positive expressivity; decreased negative expressivity & impulse strength.
Mental Health Recovery (Systematic Review)	Mixed populations	Group creative writing including poetry	Variable	Depression, identity, connectedness, empowerment	Some evidence of reduced depression and improvements in identity, empowerment.
Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care	People living with dementia	Reading, writing, group & individual poetry	Varies (weekly/monthly sessions)	Mood, QoL, engagement, sense of identity	Positive but subtle effects; increased engagement, awareness, personhood.
PTSD Pilot	5 female participants	Individual poetry therapy	4 sessions	PTSD symptoms	Significant reduction in symptoms.

Synthesis & Implications

– Poetry therapy shows benefits across multiple psychiatric/health settings.
– Formats vary: passive listening, reading/writing, group or individual therapy, short or long programs.
– Strengths: diversity of settings, positive qualitative feedback, measurable outcomes.
– Limitations: small samples, heterogeneous methods, limited follow-up.
– Recommendations: more RCTs, standardized outcomes, longer follow-up, explore mechanisms, tailor to populations.
– Clinical implications: poetry therapy can support emotional expression, reduce anxiety/depression, and enhance hope, resilience, and identity.

Studies in Psychiatry Showing Positive Outcomes for Patients through Poetry

Effects of a group poetry therapy program on stress, anxiety, ego‑resilience, and psychological well‑being of nursing students

Population/Setting: Nursing students (preclinical / training setting)

Intervention: 10‑session group poetry therapy (using Mazza’s poetry therapy practice model)

Outcomes/Findings: Significant decreases in stress & anxiety, improvements in ego‑resilience & psychological well‑being maintained at 5‑week follow‑up.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36428042/

Effects of a Poetry Intervention on Emotional Wellbeing in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients

Population/Setting: Children aged 8‑17 hospitalized in pediatric ward

Intervention: Reading & writing poetry exercises

Outcomes/Findings: Reductions in fear, sadness, anger, worry, fatigue; qualitative feedback: increased creativity and self‑reflection.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33622762/

Evaluation of the Effects of Music and Poetry in Oncologic Pain Relief: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Population/Setting: Adult cancer patients with pain in hospital

Intervention: Passive listening to poetry vs music vs no intervention

Outcomes/Findings: Poetry improved pain, depression, and hope scores; music also helped but poetry uniquely increased hope.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27529806/

Poetry Workshop in the Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Setting: Feasible, Acceptable, and Significantly Beneficial

Population/Setting: Patients in an acute psychiatric inpatient unit

Intervention: Poetry writing & sharing workshop

Outcomes/Findings: Improvements in mood and confidence; increased hope and high participant satisfaction.

Source: https://journals.scholarpublishing.org/index.php/ASSRJ/article/view/15820

Poetry Interventions in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care: A Scoping Review

Population/Setting: People living with dementia & caregivers

Intervention: Various poetry interventions (spoken, written)

Outcomes/Findings: Improved communication, socialization, emotional well-being, dignity, and self-expression.

Source: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/14713012251321022

Effectiveness of Group Poetry Therapy on Emotional Expression in Patients With Schizophrenia

Population/Setting: Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia

Intervention: 11‑week group poetry therapy; experimental vs control

Outcomes/Findings: Reduced negative expressivity, increased positive expressivity.

Source: https://www.aseanjournalofpsychiatry.org/articles/effectiveness-of-group-poetry-therapy-on-emotional-expression-in-patients-with-schizophrenia.pdf

Mental Health Recovery and Creative Writing Groups: A Systematic Review

Population/Setting: Individuals with mental health disorders

Intervention: Facilitated group creative writing (including poetry)

Outcomes/Findings: Reduction in depressive symptoms; increased connectedness, identity, empowerment.

Source: https://www.idunn.no/doi/full/10.18261/njach.4.1.1

Positive Youth Development through the Use of Poetry Therapy

Population/Setting: Middle school‑age children, in rural settings

Intervention: Poetry therapy integrated into mental health counseling

Outcomes/Findings: Enhanced self‑expression, self‑esteem, decision‑making, and cognitive processes.

Source: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08893675.2013.849042

Poetry is good for mental health (University of Plymouth / Nottingham Trent, COVID‑19 survey)

Population/Setting: General public who engaged with poetry during pandemic

Intervention: Reading, writing, sharing poetry, discussing poems

Outcomes/Findings: ~50% reported reduced loneliness, anxiety, depression; coping with grief and stress.

Source: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/about-us/news/news-articles/2023/11/poetry-is-good-for-mental-health%2C-study-shows

Expressive Writing & Narrative Medicine: Evidence Overview (with Citations)

Part 1: Evidence by Strength

Strong Evidence

– Mental health (depression, anxiety, stress): significant improvements in many studies, especially postpartum, trauma survivors, students (Creswell et al., 2007; Krpan et al., 2013; Cohn et al., 2023).
– Wound healing: faster recovery shown in controlled studies (Koschwanez et al., 2013).
– Empathy, reflection, and trust in medical education and practice via narrative medicine (Charon, 2001; Fioretti et al., 2016).

Moderate Evidence

– Quality of life in chronic illness (cancer, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, heart failure) (Henry et al., 2010; Liao et al., 2023).
– Self-efficacy and self-care improvements in patients (Zhou et al., 2022).
– Reduction of PTSD symptoms in trauma survivors (Smyth et al., 2008; Sloan et al., 2015).
– Improved immune function (e.g. HIV, asthma) in some studies (Pennebaker & Seagal, 1999; Petrie et al., 2004).

Mixed or Limited Evidence

– Long-term depression or anxiety reduction: effects often diminish after 4–6 months (Krpan et al., 2013).
– Some meta-analyses show small or non-significant overall effects (Frattaroli, 2006; Mogk et al., 2006).
– Not equally effective for all populations (Baikie & Wilhelm, 2005; Harvard Health, 2017).

Part 2: Evidence by Condition

Condition / Area	Effects Found	Key Citations
Depression & Anxiety	Reduced symptoms, especially postpartum and in students; effects may fade after months.	Krpan et al., 2013; Cohn et al., 2023; Frattaroli, 2006
Trauma / PTSD	Fewer intrusive thoughts, reduced PTSD symptoms short-term.	Smyth et al., 2008; Sloan et al., 2015
Cancer (esp. breast cancer)	Improved quality of life, self-care self-efficacy.	Zhou et al., 2022
Chronic illness (asthma, arthritis, heart failure)	Better symptom management, adherence, fewer ER visits, improved QoL.	Liao et al., 2023
Wound Healing	Faster recovery of skin wounds in older adults after expressive writing.	Koschwanez et al., 2013
Immune Function	Improved immune markers in HIV; better lung function in asthma.	Pennebaker & Seagal, 1999; Petrie et al., 2004
Medical/Nursing Education	Increased empathy, professionalism, reflective practice.	Charon, 2001; Fioretti et al., 2016

References

Baikie, K. A., & Wilhelm, K. (2005). Emotional and physical health benefits of expressive writing. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 11(5), 338–346.

Charon, R. (2001). Narrative Medicine: A Model for Empathy, Reflection, Profession, and Trust. JAMA, 286(15), 1897–1902.

Cohn, M. A., et al. (2023). Expressive writing for postpartum depression and distress: A meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders.

Creswell, J. D., et al. (2007). Expressive writing effects on health: Moderators and mechanisms. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 75(4), 639–649.

Fioretti, C., et al. (2016). Research on narratives in health care: A review of the literature. Patient Education and Counseling, 99(3), 239–249.

Frattaroli, J. (2006). Experimental disclosure and its moderators: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(6), 823–865.

Harvard Health Publishing. (2017). Writing about emotions may ease stress and trauma.

Henry, E. A., et al. (2010). Writing about stressful experiences: Effects on health outcomes. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 23(3), 263–281.

Koschwanez, H. E., et al. (2013). Expressive writing and wound healing in older adults. Psychosomatic Medicine, 75(6), 581–590.

Krpan, K. M., et al. (2013). An everyday activity as a treatment for depression: The benefits of expressive writing for people diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Emotion, 13(2), 354–364.

Liao, H., et al. (2023). Narrative medicine interventions in chronic illness: A review. The Permanente Journal.

Mogk, C., et al. (2006). Meta-analysis of expressive writing on health outcomes. British Journal of Health Psychology, 11(2), 173–186.

Pennebaker, J. W., & Seagal, J. D. (1999). Forming a story: The health benefits of narrative. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 55(10), 1243–1254.

Petrie, K. J., et al. (2004). Disclosure of trauma and immune response: A randomized trial. Psychosomatic Medicine, 66(2), 271–277.

Sloan, D. M., et al. (2015). Written exposure therapy for PTSD: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 83(6), 1023–1032.

Smyth, J. M., et al. (2008). Effects of writing about stressful experiences on symptom reduction: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 64(2), 167–184.

Zhou, X., et al. (2022). Expressive writing for breast cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial. Healthcare, 10(9), 1762.

Updated Controlled Studies: Sample Sizes, Instruments, Effect Sizes & p-values (Poetry Interventions)

This file presents a best-effort extraction of exact sample sizes, instruments/measures, and reported effect sizes / p-values from available full-texts and abstracts. Where exact effect sizes or p-values were not reported in accessible full-texts, I noted that and provided the available summary (e.g., ‘significant’ or reported statistics). Sources are cited with links.

Data pulled: PubMed, ResearchGate, journal PDFs.

Study (Citation)	Design	Sample (n)	Instrument(s) / Measures	Intervention (duration/frequency)	Reported statistics (p, effect size)	Source (link)
Rajaei et al., 2016 (ASEAN J Psych)	Experimental, pre-test/post-test with control (random selection)	n=22 (11 poetry therapy, 11 control)	Berkeley Expressivity Questionnaire (Persian BEQ; subscales: Positive Expressivity, Negative Expressivity, Impulse Strength)	Group poetry therapy, 11 weeks (weekly sessions)	Authors report significant reductions in Negative Expressivity & Impulse Strength and increase in Positive Expressivity (ANCOVA). Exact p-values not listed in accessible PDF excerpt.	https://www.aseanjournalofpsychiatry.org/articles/effectiveness-of-group-poetry-therapy-on-emotional-expression-in-patients-with-schizophrenia.pdf (full text)
Daboui et al., 2022 (Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci)	Controlled clinical trial (random allocation)	n=91 (poetry n=31; control n=60)	DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale – 21 items)	Masnavi-based group poetry therapy, 6 weekly sessions; follow-up at 1 week and 8 weeks	Within-group improvements reported (poetry group): anxiety, depression, stress (P = 0.006, 0.001, 0.01 respectively). Between-group comparisons at 1 week: depression p=0.02, anxiety p=0.01, stress p=0.03; at 8 weeks: p=0.01, p=0.03, p=0.02 respectively.	https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364623976_Effect_of_Masnavi-based_Poetry_Therapy_on_Anxiety_Depression_and_Stress_of_Women_with_Breast_Cancer (full text)
Naz et al., 2024 (Pakistan J Humanities & Soc Sci)	Quasi-experimental, pre-post (small preliminary study)	n=5 (all female; one-to-one sessions)	PTSD Scale – Self Report for DSM-5	4 poetry-therapy sessions over one week (alternate days); ~45–60 minutes each	Wilcoxon signed-rank test: z = -2.023, p = .043; reported large effect size r = .64 (pre→post improvement).	https://journals.internationalrasd.org/index.php/pjhss/article/download/2284/1602/12931 (full text)
Zhang et al., 2023 (Psychiatry Research)	Randomized Controlled Trial (school-based)	Total n=470; control n=235; intervention n=235 subdivided into art (n=78), music (n=78), poetry (n=79)	PTSD symptom scales (study abstract reports PTSD measures; full text required for exact instrument name)	Interactive TV-based group therapies (art/music/poetry) delivered in schools; details in full text	Authors report significant reductions in PTSD symptoms across modalities; art was most effective. Exact p-values/effect sizes require full-text access (Elsevier/ClinicalKey).	https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37979317/ (abstract; full text via publisher)
Wang et al., 2025 (Meta-analysis)	Meta-analysis of creative arts therapies for PTSD (includes poetry among modalities)	Multiple included studies across adult PTSD populations; pooled sample varies by analysis	Varied (PTSD scales across studies; authors report pooled effect sizes)	Creative arts therapies (art, music, drama, poetry)	Authors report a significant pooled decrease in PTSD symptoms attributable to creative arts therapy; heterogeneity noted and recommend more poetry-specific RCTs. Exact pooled effect sizes and CIs are reported in the paper (PMC full text needed).	https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11725198/ (meta-analysis; PMC)
Redman et al., 2024 (Systematic review protocol)	Systematic review & realist synthesis protocol (school-based bibliotherapy incl. poetry)	Protocol stage; primary studies to be included	Varied across included studies	Creative bibliotherapy in school settings (reading/writing interventions incl. poetry)	Protocol; no pooled statistics yet. Full review may be published subsequently with effect estimates.	https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-024-02482-8 (protocol)

Theories on How Stories Heal: Narrative Medicine and Expressive Writing

Stories heal through intertwined psychological, social, and biological processes. In narrative medicine and expressive writing, storytelling promotes meaning-making, emotional regulation, empathy, and physiological recovery. The following theories summarize major explanatory models for how storytelling supports healing.

1. Emotional Disclosure (Pennebaker’s Model)

Putting stressful experiences into language reduces inhibition and physiological stress. Mechanisms: reduced emotional suppression, better cognitive processing, and increased social disclosure. Evidence: Pennebaker’s early studies and meta-analyses showing improved immune and psychological outcomes.

2. Cognitive Reappraisal / Meaning-Making

Transforming fragmented memories into coherent narratives helps integrate experience, reduce rumination, and promote insight. Evidence: Studies link narrative coherence and meaning-making to emotional well-being.

3. Narrative Identity and Re-Authoring (McAdams / Narrative Therapy)

People create identity through life-stories. Re-authoring stories transforms limiting scripts into empowering ones. Evidence: McAdams’ narrative identity research; narrative therapy outcomes.

4. Self-Distancing and Perspective-Taking

Writing from a distanced perspective allows emotional regulation and cognitive insight. Evidence: Studies show self-distanced writing reduces distress and increases adaptive reflection.

5. Social Witnessing and Relational Repair (Narrative Medicine)

Being heard and witnessed heals isolation and restores empathy between patients and clinicians. Evidence: Narrative medicine programs improve clinician empathy and patient communication.

6. Physiological / Psychoneuroimmunology Pathway

Expressive writing lowers stress hormones and enhances immune function, linking storytelling to measurable biological healing. Evidence: Pennebaker et al., immune function studies.

7. Linguistic Markers (LIWC Studies)

Language use reflects healing processes. Increased use of causal, insight, and balanced emotional words predicts improved outcomes. Evidence: Pennebaker’s linguistic analysis research.

8. Polyvagal / Affect Regulation Theory

Safe storytelling engages the social nervous system (ventral vagal complex), calming physiological arousal and fostering regulation. Evidence: Emerging work on storytelling, oxytocin, and social bonding.

Synthesis

Stories heal through multi-layered mechanisms: emotional disclosure and reduced inhibition provide immediate relief; narrative organization and meaning-making yield cognitive coherence; social witnessing enhances empathy; and these together lower stress physiology, linking mind and body healing.

Key References

Brockington, I. et al. (2021). Storytelling, oxytocin, and empathy in social bonding studies

Compiled Research: Storytelling, Narrative Interventions, and Health

A curated compilation of peer-reviewed studies, systematic reviews, and randomized trials that report positive effects of storytelling, expressive writing, reminiscence, and digital storytelling on health, wellness, and medical outcomes. Each entry includes a short summary and the cited source URL.

Effects of Expressive Writing on Psychological and Physical Health (Review, 2013)

Narrative review/meta-analysis summarizing decades of expressive writing research showing improvements in physical health indicators and psychological well-being across varied populations.
Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3830620/

Expressive Writing in Cancer Patients (Systematic review & trials, 2015)

Review of expressive writing interventions for cancer patients reporting improved psychological outcomes and some physical-health benefits in subgroups.
Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6680178/

Suffering in Advanced Cancer: A Randomized Control Trial of a Narrative Intervention (J Palliat Med, 2018)

Randomized trial of a narrative life-review intervention in advanced cancer showing reductions in suffering and improved meaning/spiritual outcomes.
Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5797325/

Reminiscence Therapy for Dementia (Cochrane/Systematic reviews, 2018)

Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses find reminiscence and life-review therapies produce small-to-moderate improvements in quality of life, mood, cognition and communication for people with dementia.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29493789/

Digital Storytelling RCT — Hemoglobin A1c Control in Type 2 Diabetes (JAMA Network Open, 2024)

Multicenter randomized clinical trial of a culturally-tailored digital storytelling intervention for Hispanic adults with T2D; demonstrated modest but statistically significant improvement in A1c and high acceptability.
Source: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2821881

Meta-analysis: Effects of Reminiscence Therapy (2019)

Meta-analysis finding reminiscence therapy benefits for older adults’ cognition and psychological well-being.
Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1041610224023901

Digital Storytelling and Health: Narrative Reviews and Pilot Studies (2024–2025)

Emerging literature shows digital storytelling helps engagement, self-management, and social connection across conditions (mental health, chronic disease, immigrant health), with growing RCT evidence and feasibility data.
Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12314724/

Randomized controlled trials & narrative approaches in palliative and cancer care (multiple studies)

Several RCTs and controlled designs report benefits of structured narrative practices (life-review, illness narratives, therapeutic journaling) for pain, distress, meaning, and well-being in cancer/palliative populations.
Source: https://www.thepermanentejournal.org/doi/10.7812/TPP/23.116

Takeaways (brief)

• Storytelling-based approaches (expressive writing, life-review, reminiscence, digital storytelling) have consistent evidence of improving psychological outcomes (depression, anxiety, meaning) across populations.

• There is moderate evidence that reminiscence and narrative interventions improve quality of life and some cognitive/communication outcomes in older adults and people with dementia.

• Randomized trials indicate narrative and digital-storytelling approaches can be feasible in clinical settings and produce modest improvements in condition-specific outcomes (example: A1c in T2D).

• Outcome sizes vary by modality, population, and delivery setting; many studies report high acceptability and feasibility for integration into clinical care.

Expanded Compilation: Storytelling, Narrative Interventions, and Health

This expanded list adds more peer-reviewed studies, meta-analyses, randomized trials, and systematic reviews that report positive effects of storytelling, expressive writing, reminiscence, narrative exposure, bibliotherapy, and digital storytelling on health and wellbeing. Each entry includes a short summary and a source link.

Pennebaker JW – Expressive Writing (review/history)

Foundational work and reviews outlining the expressive writing paradigm and mechanisms (disclosure, cognitive processing).
Source: https://cssh.northeastern.edu/pandemic-teaching-initiative/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2020/10/Pennebaker-Expressive-Writing-in-Psychological-Science.pdf

Smyth JM (1998/1999) – Effects of writing about stressful experiences

Seminal controlled trials and synthesis showing expressive writing improves symptom reports, well-being, and some health measures.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10208146/

Frattaroli J (2006) – Meta-analysis of expressive disclosure

Meta-analysis examining moderators and overall effects of written emotional disclosure on health outcomes.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3830620/

Smyth JM (1998) – Written emotional expression effect sizes

Research synthesis that quantified health benefits across outcome types (psychological, physiological).
Source: https://sparq.stanford.edu/sites/g/files/sbiybj19021/files/media/file/smyth_1998_-_written_emotional_expression.pdf

Rude SS et al. (2023) – Chasing elusive expressive writing effects

Recent analyses discussing heterogeneity and moderators of expressive-writing outcomes, recommending targeted use for high-stress populations.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10300201/

Frattaroli meta-analysis summary (Experimental disclosure)

Meta-analytic summary on experimental disclosure and its moderators.
Source: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Experimental-disclosure-and-its-moderators%3A-a-Frattaroli/4cda801628a1d3fcb126fd0ce1db22d720245017

Wise M et al. (2018) – Suffering in Advanced Cancer (RCT)

Randomized trial of a life-review/narrative intervention showing reductions in suffering and improved meaning/spiritual outcomes for advanced cancer patients.
Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5797325/

Woods B et al. (2018) – Reminiscence therapy for dementia (Cochrane)

Cochrane review showing small-to-moderate benefits for QoL, mood, cognition, and communication in dementia with reminiscence interventions.
Source: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001120.pub3/full

O’Philbin et al. (2018) – Reminiscence expert commentary

Commentary summarizing evidence and practical considerations for reminiscence therapy in older adults with dementia.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30092689/

Wieland ML et al. (2024) – Digital Storytelling RCT (JAMA Netw Open)

Multicenter RCT of a culturally-tailored digital storytelling intervention for Hispanic adults with T2D showing modest A1c improvement and high acceptability.
Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11297376/

Yuan S et al. (2018) – Bibliotherapy meta-analysis (depression/anxiety)

Meta-analysis indicating bibliotherapy is effective for mild-to-moderate depression and anxiety.
Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5788928/

Gualano MR et al. (2017) – Long-term effects of bibliotherapy

Study/review on long-term benefits of bibliotherapy in depression treatment.
Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272735817302908

Lely JCG et al. (2019) – NET effectiveness review

Review/meta-analysis showing NET’s effectiveness for PTSD symptom reduction with moderate-to-large effects.
Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6450467/

McLean CP et al. (2022) – Exposure therapy meta-analysis (includes NET)

Meta-analysis of exposure therapies for PTSD, situating NET among effective exposure-based approaches.
Source: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/articles/article-pdf/id1585394.pdf

Graf MC et al. (2008) – Written emotional disclosure among psychotherapy clients

Study investigating expressive writing as homework in outpatient psychotherapy, showing benefits for some clients.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18815991/

Added Notes on Mechanisms & Moderators

• Many expressive-writing benefits are moderated by baseline stress and clinical status — larger effects in higher-stress or clinical samples. cite: Frattaroli 2006; Rude 2023.

• NET and exposure-based narrative therapies show strong effects for PTSD, particularly where trauma is multiple and complex. cite: Lely 2019; McLean 2022.

• Bibliotherapy is effective for mild-to-moderate depression/anxiety when structured and sometimes guided. cite: Yuan 2018; Gualano 2017.

• Reminiscence therapy effects are often small-to-moderate but meaningful in care-home settings and for individual therapy in dementia. cite: Woods 2018; O’Philbin 2018.

• Digital storytelling shows promising results for behavior change and self-management (e.g., diabetes) with strong feasibility and acceptability—evidence base growing with recent RCTs. cite: Wieland 2024.

Mini-Literature Review: How Stories Heal

Compiled: 2025-10-08

This mini-literature review expands eight major theoretical frameworks that explain how storytelling, expressive writing, and narrative medicine promote healing. Each section summarizes the theory, proposed mechanisms, and representative empirical studies or reviews. References follow each section; a consolidated reference list appears at the end.

1. Emotional Disclosure (Pennebaker)

Core claim: Expressing thoughts and feelings about traumatic or stressful events (typically in brief, repeated writing sessions) reduces emotional inhibition and the physiological burden of suppression, producing improvements in mental and physical health. Mechanisms proposed include decreased sympathetic activation, improved sleep, fewer physician visits, and enhanced immune responses.

Representative references:

2. Cognitive Reappraisal & Meaning-Making

Core claim: Converting fragmented memories into coherent narratives helps integrate experience, reduces intrusive imagery and rumination, and supports cognitive reframing and problem solving. Meaning-making (finding significance or growth in adversity) is a central mechanism.

Representative references:

3. Narrative Identity & Re-Authoring (McAdams)

Core claim: Individuals form identity through internalized life stories. Therapeutic storytelling or guided reflection allows people to ‘re-author’ their narratives—shifting from victim or static identities toward more agentic, coherent life stories, which predict psychological well-being.

Representative references:

4. Self-Distancing and Perspective-Taking

Core claim: Adopting a slight psychological distance when recounting painful events (e.g., using third-person language or temporal distancing) reduces emotional reactivity and promotes insight, thereby improving regulation and reducing rumination. Expressive writing often fosters self-distancing.

Representative references:

5. Social Witnessing & Relational Repair (Narrative Medicine)

Core claim: Telling and being heard—by peers, clinicians, or trained listeners—repairs social fracturing caused by illness and trauma. Narrative medicine emphasizes clinician narrative competence (close reading, reflective writing) to improve empathy, communication, and therapeutic relationships.

Representative references:

6. Physiological / Psychoneuroimmunology Pathways

Core claim: Narrative disclosure and reduced emotional suppression can alter physiological markers—lowering stress hormones and influencing immune function—thereby providing a pathway from psychological processing to physical health.

Representative references:

7. Linguistic Indicators & LIWC Findings

Core claim: Changes in linguistic markers across narrative sessions—more causal (‘because’), insight (‘realize’), and balanced emotional words—index cognitive processing and predict improved outcomes. Automated text analysis tools like LIWC reveal these patterns.

Representative references:

8. Polyvagal & Affect Regulation Perspectives

Core claim: Storytelling in safe, relational contexts engages the social engagement system (ventral vagal pathways), downregulating threat responses and facilitating affect regulation and connection. This model links narrative sharing to autonomic calm and social bonding.

Representative references:

Consolidated References (selected)

The Narrative Healthcare Reading List

The Narrative Healthcare reading lists include memoir, fiction, poetry, depth psychology, philosophy, aesthetics, storytelling, and narrative-medicine texts. Courses have incorporated film into the learning experience as well. Creating the book/text list is the most important aspect of the courses. It has taken a decade for me to figure out the geometry of the reading. This geometry must maintain a balance among disciplines and resist sinking into the illusory certainty and theory. We don’t master this, nor do we ever finish learning it since every moment remakes us and our world(s). The objective is unceasing creativity, agility, and awareness of the worlds both within and without, or as the alchemists say, above and below.

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• The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad 978-0593734636 The Creative Act by Rick Rubin 978-0593652886 Poetic Medicine by John Fox 978-0874778823 The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness, and Joy by John Brehm 978-1614293316 Nine Gates by Jane Hirshfield 978-0060929480

Global Directory of Creativity and Healing Initiatives, Programs, and Events

1. Major Conferences and Summits

• Creativity & Madness — Conference exploring psychology, art, and healing.
• Creative Care Conference — Hosted by Texas A&M; connects creativity and health.
• Expressive Therapies Summit — Global conference for expressive arts therapists.
• Creating Healthy Communities: Arts in Public Health Convening — U.S.-based convening of arts and health practitioners.
• Arts & Quality of Life Conference — Explores how arts enhance quality of life in healthcare.
• Art & Science of Health Promotion Conference — Integrates joy, wellness, and creativity.

2. Festivals and Public Events

• World Art Therapy Festival — International workshops and panels on art therapy.
• Arts & Health Festival (Durban, South Africa) — Collaborative art and health programming.
• Art & Wellness Festival (Crystal Bridges, Arkansas) — Combines art, nature, and well-being.
• Healing Arts (Jameel Arts & Health Lab) — Global and local art-and-health events.
• Healing Arts Celebration (Chicago) — Performance and community engagement around arts therapy.
• National Arts & Health Day — U.S. celebration of arts contributing to wellness.

3. Narrative Medicine Programs and Initiatives

• Columbia University Narrative Medicine Program — MS and Certificate programs, Narrative Rounds, global leader in the field.
• Wake Forest University Narrative Medicine — Certificate and public workshops on story and healing.
• Lenoir-Rhyne University Narrative Healthcare — Certificate program for health professionals.
• University of Southern California Narrative Medicine Program — Integrates storytelling and healthcare practice.
• Temple University Narrative Medicine Program — Curricular integration of narrative and care.
• University of Arizona Narrative Medicine — Humanities and ethics-based program.
• Narrative MindWorks — Global directory for narrative medicine practice and training.
• Narrative-Based Medicine (Canada) — International online certificate.

4. Narrative Medicine Workshops and Conferences

• Foundational Narrative Medicine Virtual Workshop (Columbia University)
• Narrative Intersections Workshop (Columbia University)
• International Conference on Narrative Medicine (ICNM) — Global annual conferences in Europe and Asia.
• Art of Narrative Medicine Conference (Advocate Health)
• European Annual Narrative Medicine Congress — Barcelona, 2025.
• Medicine Unboxed — UK-based conference blending storytelling, philosophy, and medicine.

5. Global and Regional Programs and Initiatives

• Jameel Arts & Health Lab — WHO partner promoting global arts and health policy.
• WHO Arts & Health Initiative — Integrating arts into health promotion globally.
• Arts in Health International Foundation — Barcelona-based, global programming.
• Global Arts & Health Alliance — International research and advocacy network.
• IACAET Global Dialogue Series — International expressive arts and health dialogues.
• International Expressive Arts Therapy Association — Global expressive arts therapy network.
• CultureForHealth — European platform mapping arts-and-health initiatives.
• Beyond Childhood International — Arts-based healing for marginalized youth in Sri Lanka.
• Paintings in Hospitals — UK-based arts in healthcare organization.

6. Regional Programs (Southeast / Appalachia / NC)

• Wake Forest University Story, Health & Healing Initiative — Narrative medicine workshops and certificate.
• UNC Chapel Hill HHIVE Lab — Health & Humanities interdisciplinary program.
• Lenoir-Rhyne University Narrative Healthcare — Certificate for healthcare professionals.
• Healing Arts Atlanta — Jameel Arts & Health Lab local activation.
• University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine — Leading U.S. academic center.
• NOAH (National Organization for Arts in Health) — Annual NOAHCON conference.

7. Upcoming Global Events (2025-2026)

• UNGA Healing Arts Week — Sept 20–26, 2025, New York City.
• Healing Arts Barcelona — Oct 20–26, 2025, Spain.
• IACAET Arts & Health Global Dialogue Series — 2025–2026, virtual/in-person worldwide.
• International Conference on Narrative Medicine — Sept 18–19, 2025, Nice, France.
• International Conference on Narrative Medicine — Oct 23–24, 2025, Bali, Indonesia.
• Healing Arts Lviv — July 20, 2025, Ukraine.
• Healing Arts Singapore — Dec 8–12, 2025, Singapore.

Laura Hope-Gill, Storyteller, Metaphysician, Professor, Poet

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