Can writing down your feelings actually improve your mental health? Welcome to poetry therapy.
In this episode of the SpeakReal podcast, host Carson talks to Sana Mulji, poetry therapy practitioner, about the benefits of poetry therapy. Sana shares her insights on how expressive writing fosters self-compassion and empowers youth to better navigate their mental health challenges. She highlights the transformative power of storytelling, both as a creative outlet and as a tool for emotional growth.
What is Poetry Therapy? Is it the Same as Clinical Therapy?
Sana defines poetry therapy as different from clinical therapy. Poetry therapy is not a replacement for any medical treatment. Poetry therapy is best understood from the perspective of creative arts therapy, similar music therapy or dance therapy. In this case, the word “therapy” is used to actually mean “therapeutic activity”. Poetry therapy practitioners guide participants through the steps of what makes poetry therapeutic. Within that, it becomes easy to create a safe space where someone is encouraged to explore their emotions.
Using Poetry as a Coping Tool
Sana believes our emotions are our guides. And when someone is experiencing their emotions through connecting with a poem that reflects them, there is a connection made within yourself. This act of seeing yourself is what she says allows you to understand yourself better and can oftentimes be the catalyst to making positive change in your life.
She says,
“When you write down your fears or struggles, they become smaller. You realize you can handle them because now they’re just words on a page, not monsters in your head.”
Sana encourages youth to write without fear or judgement. By embracing authenticity on a page, she believes anyone can create a space that feels safe and freeing.
“If we can help young people see writing as a tool for self-expression, we’re giving them a way to navigate their feelings and their world.”
Sana urges that you do not have to be a writer to benefit from writing. She then explains how poetry therapy actually involves more than the act of writing poetry.
“When you put words to feelings, you make them tangible. It’s like holding a flashlight in a dark room—you start to see what’s really there.”
Harnessing Self-Compassion Through Writing
A central theme of Sana’s conversation is self-compassion. She reflects on her own journey, admitting that it can be easier to be kind to others but harder to turn that kindness inward.
She shares a personal anecdote about a time when writing helped them through a difficult period.
“I wrote down everything I was afraid of, and then I wrote myself a letter—just like I’d write to a friend who needed support. It changed how I saw myself.”
Sarah Gailey emphasized the value of writing as a way to process emotions and uncover hidden truths about oneself.
“When you put words to feelings, you make them tangible…Writing helps you make sense of the chaos in your head and offers a moment of clarity.”
For many young people, this can mean moving past overwhelming thoughts and finding a path forward. Sana personally feels poetry has the power to get you through difficult circumstances, build community, understand yourself better and much more than you would think. She has worked with all kinds of populations, from refugees to new mothers and young people all in order to help them tell their stories through the power of poetry.
Sana’s Message
Sana encourages parents and educators to create environments where youth feel supported in their creative journeys. She suggests:
- Providing Tools: Offer notebooks, pens, or digital platforms to make writing accessible.
- Validating Feelings: Encourage youth to write without pressuring them to share or conform to specific expectations.
- Celebrating Effort: Recognize the courage it takes to express oneself, no matter the form.
Incorporating expressive writing into daily life can serve as a powerful tool for managing emotions and enhancing mental health. By providing a safe outlet for self-expression, young individuals can navigate their challenges with greater resilience and self-awareness.
For a deeper understanding of the benefits of expressive writing, you can watch the full conversation with Sana on the SpeakReal Podcast here:
YouthSpeak is a charity organization based in the GTA, Canada that conducts assemblies and interactive workshops to help increase the resiliency of youth facing challenges today. To find out more about our projects and initiatives, visit https://youthspeak.ca/. Help support our For-Youth-by-Youth projects by donating at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/i-support-youthspeak