Journaling is the practice of writing down thoughts, emotions, experiences, and reflections on a regular basis. It can serve as a self-therapeutic tool, promoting self-awareness and emotional processing.
Key Points:
- Types of Journaling:
- Free-Writing/Stream-of-Consciousness: Writing continuously without self-censorship.
- Prompt-Based Journaling: Responding to guided questions or topics (e.g., gratitude lists, goal-setting).
- Reflective Journaling: Analyzing specific experiences or events (e.g., therapy sessions, major life transitions).
- Benefits: Helps clarify thoughts, process emotions, track personal growth, reduce stress, and identify negative thought patterns.
- Therapeutic Integration: Therapists often recommend keeping a journal to supplement treatment, especially in CBT or trauma-focused therapies.
