Journaling & Expressive Writing

"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart."

- William Wordsworth

The breathings of the heart and the circulations of the soul are all that's required for a therapeutic journaling experience. These, and a pen and paper.

Recorded experience goes as far back as recorded time. The human need to communicate all experience through the written word seems inextricable from the human condition. Indeed, the need to write seems written in our genetic sequencing.

Journal therapy is the therapeutic use of expressive writing to advance mental, physical and spiritual health. Journal therapy has many goals: cathartic expression, a heightened awareness and management of emotions or conflicts, and the discovery of unexplored feelings or issues. Daily journaling has proven and lasting positive effects on overall health and wellness.

Researchers like James Pennebaker, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at the University of Texas, have found that people of all ages, ethnicities and socio-economic groups "feel happier and healthier after writing about deeply traumatic memories." Pennebaker's research also found that physical health improved with regular journaling. Consistent journal keepers showed a boost in immune system stimulation and "score[d] higher on tests of psychological well being."

Joyful Heart's licensed counselors and therapists provide journal therapy workshops to program participants and outline short and long-term goals for such a process. Participants are given the tools to begin, maintain and cultivate a meaningful journaling practice.