A few years ago I started introducing journaling into my work with clients, and I have seen the benefit of it grow ever since.
Writing is not for everyone, and that is fine - therapy itself is not a one-size-fits-all process either. But if you are willing to give it a go, my only real advice is: do not come to it with expectations. Just let it be messy. Let yourself stumble across confusion, stagnation, not-knowing. Writing can be frustrating, embarrassing, even boring at times - but it can also be freeing in a way that surprises people.
Why I Bring It Into Sessions
- It extends the work between sessions. When you are only seeing someone once a week or fortnight, the time you actually have for processing is limited. Journaling gives you somewhere to put things the moment they arise.
- It creates space. Thoughts and doubts that have been circling for years can crowd everything else out. Once written down, they become far easier to sort through.
- It tends to improve sleep, especially as part of a bedtime routine - a racing mind left unattended will happily keep you awake for hours.
- It offers a different vantage point. Ideas look different on paper than they do rattling around your head.
- It gives you somewhere to keep returning to something without needing to bring it up in every single session.
If there is something on your mind right now that you have not found a way to process yet, I would gently suggest trying this - it costs nothing but a little time, and it can shift more than you would expect.
Thank you for reading.
Agatha x