Lauren Delpit
Shiva Fara
Ali
Ruben
Journal Writing
• A series of written passages that
document the personal events,
thoughts, feelings, memories and
perceptions in one’s journey throughout
life leading to wholeness
Background & History
• The word journal comes from the french word
Journeé meaning sunrise to sunset.
• Adapted by religion as spiritual healing:
Confessions of the mind lighten the burden of
the soul
• Written records of weather and maps of
routes were vital to the success of early
explorers and travelers
Dr. Ira Progoff
• One of the first psychologist to study the use
of journal writing
• Discovered that his own journal writing
allowed access to a higher consciousness or
spiritual awareness
• Seminar: intensive journal workshop
• Trained participants the art of journal writing for self
improvement
• Three ring binder with 21 sections
• Collectively provided lessons in making order out of
chaos from the glut of sensory information that is
continually processed in the mind.
Humanistic Journal
Therapy
• Organized journal writing lacks
spontaneity and freedom that make self
expression through journal writing
unique.
• Current approach is humanistic journal
therapy
• A vehicle for development and maintenance
Rationale
• A tool for self-exploration and the
enhancement of personal development.
• Allows Synthesis of personal thoughts and
feelings, perceptions, attitudes, and insights
towards spiritual growth –Progroff
• Opening and disclosing of feelings,
perceptions, opinions, and memories has
always been found to be therapeutic.
What it does
 Journal writing is transpsychological,
meaning that self discovery through
awareness is therapeutic.
 Plays an active role in reconstructing a life
but it does so without imposing any external
categories or interpretations or theories of
the individuals experience.
 It remains neutral and open ended
 Bonding between oneself and the
enlightened self.
Journal Writing Today
• Proven to be a formidable technique in dealing with
stress.
• Astornauts and world leaders like the President keep
Journals.
• Much of what is known of todays history is based on
the journal entries of travelers, explorers and
leaders.
• Diary associated with women and Journal writing
with men.
• Two words used synonymously but distinction appears
to be that diary is listing of personal events while journal
writing expands personal awareness and creativity and
offers seeds of resolution in personal struggles.
Research Article
Journal Writing as a Technique to
Promote Reflection
Stacy E Walker PhD, Ball State University, Muncie, IN
J Athl Train. 2006; 41(2): 216–221. National Athletic
Trainers' Association, Inc.
Objective
• To introduce the process of journal
writing to promote reflection and
discuss the techniques and strategies
to implement journal writing in an
athletic training education curriculum.
Background
• Journal writing can facilitate reflection
and allow students to express feelings
regarding their educational
experiences. The format of this writing
can vary depending on the students’
needs and the instructor’s goals.
Description
• Aspects of journal writing assignments
are discussed, including different points
to take into account before assigning
journals. Lastly, various factors to
contemplate are presented when
providing feedback to the students
regarding their written entries.
Clinical Advantages
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Enhancing reflection
Facilitating critical thought
Expressing feelings
Writing focused assignments
Key terms
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Process of Reflection
Dialogue
Expectations
Journal Feedback
Trust
What was the purpose
of the study?
• Implementing journal writing
into the curriculum
• More effectively retain
knowledge
• Reflect on material
• How it effects the learning
of material
How was the study
conducted
• Students were guided by instructors
• Journals were gathered and analyzed
for trends and anomalies
• Most journal writing research done is
qualitative in nature
Who were the
participants?
• Athletic training students
• This study was extremely focused on a
certain group of people. Students of an
athletic training program, thus the
article speaks very specifically to the
experiences and terms used in an
athletic training program
What did the participants
do?
• Kept journals
• Check ins with instructors for…
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Expectations
Planning
Grading
Feedback
• Students were encouraged to write about
instances that frustrated them
What was found in the
study?
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Placed responsibility with students
Active engagement
Self directed learning
Self confidence increased
Students could identify their own lack of
motivation
• And thus address it
What are the limitations
of the study?
• Only worked with students (athletic
training students)
• Only in a classroom setting
• Students didn’t have entire freedom
• Time
Study Implications
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Timeless
Versatile
Adaptable to many fields and professions
Valuable tool in aiding and assisting people
in monitoring their cognitive behavior
• Universal
Immediate Effects
Emotional Catharsis
Invigorating
- Expunge toxic thoughts
- Release old thoughts; room for new
Honest evaluation- 1st step to healing
Expanded awareness
Full range of emotions
Long term Effects
• Psychotherapy- decreases neurotic behavior
• Behavior Modification- periodic reevaluation
• Personal Resolution- release own
perceptions; unbiased evaluation
• Reduces Stress, increases self esteem
• Greater awareness and cognitive function
Materials Recomended
Need 3 Elements
1) Dedicated Notebook
2) Pen/Pencil
3) Quiet Environment
- Same place
- Same time
- 20 mins/day
- 3 times per week
Tips
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No rules
Stressful events & Positive events
Words, drawings, etc.
Center yourself
Label entries
Private: spontaneous, unedited, honest
Steps to Initiate
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What is the problem?
-What happened
-What you feel
-Include environment, behaviors, etc
-Focus on your feelings
Why did it occur?
-Analyze why the problem arose
-Identify possible triggers
-Identify the nature of the problem
-Focus on environment, your behaviors, all factors
How can you resolve it?
-What needs to happen for the problem to disappear?
-What factors can you control? What are out of your control?
-Formulate several plans to resolve the problem
-Focus on concrete, executable actions in detail (consider timetable)
Remember periodic evaluation, and augment plans accordingly
Stay consistent!
Is it Successful?
• Should be part of coping skills,
encourage honesty, reduce stress
• Provide Insight and Initiate healing
• No paralysis by analysis
Techniques
 Dialog Writing
 Organic Notes
 Timed Writings
 Unsent Letters
Techniques:
Dialogue Writing
• Write out a conversation
• Each dialog begins with a question
• The question can be directed towards anyone
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a person in your life
an illness that you have
God or higher power
etc…
• After you ask the question, write out the response
that you hear in your head
Techniques:
Organic Notes
“Mind Map”
• Write your subject in the center of the page
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Draw a branch from each main idea and write about
the subject in more details
• Draw a branch from each main idea and write about
the subject in more details
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Do not use complete sentences; write as little words
as possible
Mind Map
Should I end it with him/her?
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (U ncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see t his picture.
He/she does make me
happy most of the time
Relationship
Stress
Finals Week
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
School
Don’t have time for work
& school, but I need money
Work
QuickTi me™ and a
TIFF ( Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see thi s pi ctur e.
English Essay
I need a day off!
Techniques:
Timed Writings
Set a time on a timer for as long as you
want and just write. Don’t feel pressured to
stop when the timer runs out.
Quic k Ti me™ and a
T IFF (Unc om pres s ed) dec om pres s or
are needed to s ee t his pic t ure.
Techniques:
Unsent Letters
• Write a letter to someone but don’t
send it to them
• It doesn’t matter if they are dead or
alive, or if you haven’t talked to them in
years
QuickTi me™ and a
T IFF (Uncom pressed) decom pressor
are needed to see t his pict ure.
Subjects
• I believe: write about what you believe in
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Abundance: things that are missing in your life
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Happy list: what makes you happy?
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Thank you: write about what you are thankful for
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Good job to me!: praise yourself
• Website