Kate Thompson is a BACP Senior Accredited Counsellor and Supervisor in private practice, and a professional member of Lapidus UK. In 2010, she wrote Therapeutic Journal Writing as part of the JKP Writing for Personal Development Series.
In this short article, Kate shares her thoughts on process writing and includes some handy notes on writing for yourself and with a group.
My own journey from childhood diary writing in the 1960s to journal therapist in the 21st century has indeed been an almost lifelong process. This journey continues today, propelling me into the modern world of blogs and internet therapy which in some ways is a very natural development from journal writing.
I start from the premise that writing is always both a creative and a therapeutic act. I know that many people, including some of our greatest writers past and present, would agree with me, but others would not. I need to emphasise that therapeutic journal writing (almost a tautology, certainly the opposite of an oxymoron) is about process writing rather than product writing.
I have since childhood been one of those who felt ‘compelled’ to write. But I also want to stress that I am an intermittent journaller. I am full of admiration for those who do write every day but I do not – some of my clients write far more than I do.
[NOTE: Journal writing is sometimes referred to as a discipline or practice. One of the Myths of journal writing is:
“you have to do it every day”
You don’t. Often as possible is good, even five minutes counts, but there is no point in setting up unachievable goals – that way ‘failure’ lies and neither our clients nor ourselves need encourage that.]
So I have journalled on and off through childhood, adolescence and adulthood. It is the way I process experience; it is the way I make sense of the world.
Writing the book was a personal and a professional journey. It is the culmination of more than15 years of professional practice. It brings together my twin passions for therapy and literature (I was a reader before I was a writer; I was a student and teacher of literature before I was a therapist). I wrote this book because this was a book I would have liked when I was training as a counsellor. At that time I had no idea that you could (‘were allowed to’) use journal writing as a therapeutic medium with clients. But I did know that it worked for me so it seemed natural to want to try. This book would have legitimized my instincts and given me the confidence to do it openly. Finding Kathleen Adams and The Center for journal Therapy in Colorado told me I was right.
In fact I’ve had three mentors who have encouraged me and supported me in this work:
Kathleen Adams, Gillie Bolton and Emmy van Deurzen.
I thank you all.
The journal container is big. People who come to my workshops or groups often show surprise about how broad the idea of journal writing is – the range of techniques at our disposal goes far beyond the descriptions of ‘what I did yesterday’. Journals can also include art, quotation and project plans as well as personal written stories or reflection leading to healing and growth.
Feedback forms often contain comments such as:
“I had a very narrow definition of journal writing – I know better now.”
I think my favourite comment on a feedback form is:
“I came with very low expectations – they were exceeded.”
I’m sure he meant it kindly.
There is one therapeutic journal technique which completes the reflective loop and does much to promote the integration of experience. It is a way of giving yourself a little written feedback after any journal entry:
The Feedback Loop
Read through your journal entry and then write a couple of sentences:
E.g. When I read this I notice…
When I read this I feel…
This to me is the key to therapeutic journal writing – I encourage anyone who keeps a journal to employ this technique which really completes the loop and can consolidate the insights and learning – you can try this at home immediately.
I always love to hear how people use journaling for themselves and with others, for personal and professional reasons – please tell me your experiences: kate.thompson@journaltherapy.co.uk
Read Kate Thompson’s Therapeutic Journal Writing Blog »
Copyright © Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2012.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed these book which have broadened my writing and opened up the world of journalling the self to me. The first two are written in such accesable language that anyone will be able to enjoy them.