The pen and the couch : possibilities for creative writing and narrative therapy in South Africa

Abstract

This paper deals with the link between narrative therapy, a post-modern, discourse-based therapy with its focus on re-storying life experiences thereby extracting the positive, and creative writing and the possible applications of said link in the South African context. The discussion explores the background and central concepts of narrative therapy and creative writing, suggesting possible applications of some international and South African narrative therapy/creative writing partnership examples and their positive outcomes to the South African milieu. The paper specifically looks at the partnership in relation to persons living with HIV/AIDS and offenders in correctional facilities in South Africa.