Graphotherapy: working on the mind through handwriting

Psychotherapy uses psychological methods, mostly regular conversation, to help a person change patterns of thought, feeling and behaviour, and to relate better to others. There are hundreds of approaches. Some of the best known are CBT, REBT and Gestalt therapy. Their success depends a great deal on the therapist’s skill, and each suits some difficulties better than others.

Graphotherapy is one approach I use in my practice. The client practises specific strokes and letter patterns, chosen for the traits they want to work on, over a period of time. It can be used with young and old alike. The therapist’s role is to choose the right patterns, guide the practice and make sure the strokes are done correctly. Experience matters most when a client finds the process hard to stay with.

In my experience, clients who commit to the full course often find that patterns they were not aware of come to the surface, where they can be understood and worked on, one at a time. Many describe feeling calmer, more confident and more caring towards others.

Because mind and body are closely linked, some clients have also told me their physical symptoms eased during therapy. I share this as experience, not as a promise. Graphotherapy does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment, and anyone with a physical illness should continue to see their doctor.

Graphotherapy is still little known in India. I hope this helps more people hear of it.

This article was first published on Practo Health Feed. Read the original on Practo