Advanced Email Therapy

Journal Writing

Journal writing is for people who are really eager to do more work in probing their inner world. Many people have used it as an advanced form of self therapy or as a spiritual path to growth and transformation. Keeping a daily journal is a good idea when you are going through difficulties and are really trying to apply your full intelligence to tap into your unconscious. Regular email counseling is a type of interactive journal but here we are talking about something you do everyday by yourself and either keep to yourself; or you can engage me in this process, sharing and using your journal in our counseling work.

The way I always kept my journal was in a beautiful leather bound book. Your journal will become one of your most prized possessions if you decide to keep one. It is where you dialogue with yourself. It is the place you put down your deepest thoughts about yourself and your life. It is also a great place to record any feedback that comes to you either from me if you are doing counseling with me, or feedback that comes from your friends or loved ones.

Most people keep their diary or journal completely private so it becomes like a holy or sacred place for them. A place that they talk to god or their highest self often sharing about their lowest or weakest self. Sharing your diary as part of therapeutic work is done but has normally been thought of something beyond the scope of psychology. On this level of intimacy we are sharing inner beings and souls and thus it is seen as direct spiritual work. Sharing your journal with your therapist can add rocket fuel to your work and efforts to really change.

The best times to write is after waking up in the morning, before bed in the evening or during periods of confusion.

Some ideas for your journal.You can keep separate sections or integrate everything together.

• Daily Log.  Write down your thoughts and daily happenings as you would in a normal diary. This unravels what's on your mind and helps define issues.

• Dream Log. This section or aspect of your journal is for jotting down your dreams. Describe them just as you recall them. This helps you become aware of your unconscious life.

• Dialogue with principle people in your life.  Whenever a particular person come to mind, enter their name and write down your feelings and any action you are thinking of taking next with this relationship. Track these actions and results achieved. Also here is a good place to write your feelings about what you would like to share with people.

• Imagination Inner Imagery Log. This is where you record your fantasies, things you would like to do, images you have of yourself, or of your life. Try to see if your imagination is going in the same direction as your heart. Are these fantasies really what you would love to do?

• Dialogue with your Body. Your body often provides a mirror to your inner life. It expresses emotions or repressed emotions especially well. You can learn to read your body and use it as a feedback device in your psychological and spiritual work. Keep track of your bodies feelings and body symptoms.

• Sex Dialogue. Your sexual life is one of the most  important aspects of your life and any investigation into your feelings and activities on this most intimate level of being can be highly productive.