ABSTRACT
There is a distinctive role for written correspondence in the essentially oral tradition of professional therapy (White and Epston 1990; Street and Downey 1996). Written communication has properties of form and meaning that make it distinct from the spoken word and, to some extent, autonomous from it. In particular written language tends to use a more precise grammar, more complete sentences, more clearly developed themes and a wider vocabulary than the spoken word. In writing to a family about the therapy, the author/therapist puts her thoughts and words into a concrete and static form and then puts them into the hands and ownership of the family. In doing so this correspondence may achieve something that is less easily managed in a conversation. It is important that a letter does not merely summarise what has occurred but is more of an extension of the conversation that has taken place between the therapist and family.
