ABSTRACT
This chapter brings our journey to a stopover point to consider the relationship between two literary practices: reading and writing. A good deal of work has been done in evaluating the usefulness and healing potential of literary practices—reading and writing, but mostly writing—in the more general field of health psychology and occupational and public health. The chapter looks at writing from a number of viewpoints, starting with some everyday scenarios chosen pretty much at random from the array of writing situations in our complex world. Writing itself is a physical act which externalises states of mind and internal processes which are otherwise invisible to others. It is also part of a dialogue, whether internal only or involving the voices of others. It is always embedded in a social context. Both reading and writing are invaluable aids in therapy training and continuing professional development.
