Post traumatic growth through expressive writing: the “expert companion method” for self-directed recovery

This paper aims to introduce the “Expert Companion Method,” which is rooted in the work of Kathleen Adams and Deborah Ross. Tedeschi, the proponent of Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) identifies “Expert Companion” as someone who can support the trauma survivor in their journey towards PTG. This paper focuses on exploring the role of Therapeutic Writing as the “Expert Companion.” Currently, there is no literature on this specific topic, and this paper aims to bring to awareness to it. This method is explained through the use of the Journal Ladder and the concepts of SPC (Structure, Pacing, Containment) and IAA (Intention, Attention, Action), which enable the writer to attain the internal stability needed to move through trauma, and towards PTG. This paper clarifies the process a trauma survivor can use for self-directed recovery, and discusses how to make use of Therapeutic Writing, The Journal Ladder, and Story to create the “Expert Companion.”