Emotionally distraught individuals may not completely understand how expressive writing can help them deal with stress and trauma. One reason expressive writing is so beneficial to psychological health is because it allows people to express their thoughts and emotions without hesitation or judgement. Many struggle to talk about what they are feeling because it is too painful to say aloud, but with expressive writing, no one has to say anything. In response to a question asking how expressive writing helps her, member of the African-American Writing Club, Ciara Cruder says “it helps me express myself when I can’t speak or say the words.” This is often the case for people who do not feel comfortable expressing themselves to others. “I just write
