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This paper uses qualitative interview analysis conducted online with adults to examine links between self-injury and creative writing. It concentrates on why an individual who self-injures may write creatively and what this could mean for professional practice. The research shows that writing about self-injury and associated trauma can be helpful for controlling 'internal chaos' and allowing the individual to communicate their experiences in different ways, as controlled by the writer. This creates the potential for an escape from their 'encaptive conflict', facilitating a move from pseudo-independence to forming containing relationships with professionals and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]