‘Writing the Wrongs’ is a thoughtful guided journal designed to help those suffering from moral injury find healing through reflective writing. Michele DeMarco provides a compassionate framework for addressing deep emotional wounds, guiding readers through a series of prompts to help them confront and process difficult experiences.

Accuracy: ★★★★☆

The guided prompts are quite excellent, offering readers structured ways to express their emotions. The exercises encourage introspection, making this a valuable tool for those looking to work through moral injury. However, some readers may feel the need for more in-depth guidance or background on the psychological aspects of moral injury itself.

Perspective: ★★★☆☆

While the journal excels in guiding readers through emotional reflection, it lacks substantial educational content. A more thorough explanation of moral injury and its psychological effects would add depth to the exercises. Readers may find themselves seeking additional resources to fully understand the framework behind the prompts.

Relevance: ★★★★☆

This journal is highly relevant for individuals struggling with unresolved guilt, shame, or trauma. It also appeals to those in professions where moral dilemmas are common, such as healthcare, law enforcement, or the military. DeMarco’s prompts offer a starting point for healing through self-reflection, even if they could benefit from more educational context.

Engagement: ★★★★☆

The prompts are engaging and well-structured, making it easy for readers to follow along and stay committed to the journaling process. The simplicity of the journal is its strength, encouraging readers to dive right into the exercises without feeling overwhelmed.

Readability: ★★★★☆

DeMarco’s writing is clear and approachable, making the journal accessible to readers at various stages of emotional healing. The straightforward language allows for easy comprehension, though a bit more elaboration on certain prompts could provide deeper insight for those new to the process of reflective writing.

Enjoyment: ★★★★☆

Despite its minimal educational content, ‘Writing the Wrongs’ remains an effective and enjoyable tool for those looking to heal through writing. The prompts are thoughtful and empowering, encouraging readers to engage with their emotions in a constructive way.


‘Writing the Wrongs’ by Michele DeMarco is a valuable resource for individuals seeking to process moral injury through guided reflection. While the journal could benefit from a more educational context, its well-designed prompts provide a solid foundation for emotional healing. Whether used independently or in conjunction with therapy, this guided journal offers a meaningful path to self-discovery and recovery.

I haven't seen much literature about this area of trauma therapy, so I was really interested in checking out this guided journal. There were a lot of wonderful things about this. I loved the grounding and mindfulness exercises before each writing prompt; this is such an important piece of doing this kind of work, so this was a great add-on. Each of the writing prompts were thoughtful and insightful. I also liked the progression of prompts so that you can work through your process with these various steps. I also really appreciated that there was language that could apply to people who have suffered a variety of different traumas, so it wasn't exclusive at all. The only downside in my opinion is that there wasn't a ton of education about moral injuries themselves or how that might affect a person long-term. A little more education in the beginning would have been helpful (especially for people who haven't already researched this topic very much). Overall, though, I found it very helpful, and I think a lot of other people will too.