What does the concept of reading and writing therapy mean?

2026-07-03T06:00:00.065Z

The article examines the roots of the idea of 'reading therapy' by physicians Benjamin Rush and John Galt at the beginning of the 19th century, within the framework of 'moral therapy' which includes activities such as reading, writing, gardening, weaving, commerce, and painting to improve patients' mental health. The author reveals how this history inspired him to adopt the concept of 'therapeutic writing' and author a book…

#ناصية

At the beginning of the 19th century, physicians and authors Benjamin Rush and John Galt adopted reading therapy, practicing under what was known as 'moral therapy'. Moral therapy includes treatment through action and work, in other words, engaging in activities such as gardening, weaving, commerce, drawing, reading, and writing.

Under that moral therapy trend, reading therapy gained momentum, as Rush and Galt used reading as a tool to treat patients.

Physician Galt said verbatim:

Reading for his patients is a source of pleasant feelings, whereas before reading, the patient spent his time in intense boredom and tedium.

When I read this beautiful discovery by the two physicians and authors, I was inspired to write a book about 'therapeutic writing', considering that therapy through writing, reading, gardening, commerce, and weaving are all activities that contribute to treating any patient if they devote themselves to it and sincerely commit to the craft.

And to record this invention, I composed lines of poetry about 'therapeutic writing' in which I say:

I treat my pains with letters..

So be gentle with my notebooks and fingers

I tried to hide the moan in my ribs..

But the force of the letter shook my bed

I wrote my story on blankness..

And ink draws my tears in the lines

I treated myself with writing after..

The doctor failed to discover my pains!

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#الكتابة_العلاجية