Should You Start a Therapy Journal?

If you have been journaling for a while, you may notice that eventually, your journal 
becomes one style or another. This is super common, but it is also common to want to 
go another direction. A therapy journal provides that for you, where you can use it to 
help with your processing of feelings, and your mental health in general.


Understanding Therapy Journals

A therapy journal is a place where you can express your thoughts, feelings, and 
experiences related to your mental health journey. It's a tool often used in conjunction 
with traditional therapy, but it can also be beneficial on its own.


Benefits of a Therapy Journal

Therapy journals can have several benefits. First, writing about your feelings can be a 
powerful way to process them. It can help you understand your emotions better, notice 
patterns in your thinking, and even come up with solutions to problems.

Second, a therapy journal can be a safe space to express feelings that you may not feel 
comfortable sharing with others. It's a place where you can be completely honest 
without fear of judgment.

Third, keeping a therapy journal can be a good way to track your progress over time. 
You can see how your feelings or thoughts have changed, which can be motivating and 
enlightening.


How to Start a Therapy Journal

Starting a therapy journal doesn't need to be complicated. All you need is a notebook 
and a pen. Try to write in it regularly - this could be daily, every other day, or even just 
once a week. Write about what's on your mind, how you're feeling, and any significant 
events or interactions. Remember, there's no right or wrong way to do it - the important 
thing is that it works for you.


Privacy Concerns

It's natural to have concerns about privacy when keeping a therapy journal. If you're 
worried about someone else reading your journal, consider keeping it in a safe place or 
even using a digital journal with password protection.


Combining with Traditional Therapy

If you're already seeing a therapist, a therapy journal can be a valuable addition to your 
therapy process. You can jot down thoughts or feelings that come up between sessions, 
or keep track of any homework or strategies your therapist suggests.


It's Not for Everyone

While many people find therapy journals helpful, they're not for everyone. Some people 
might feel pressured or stressed about keeping up with regular entries. Others might 
find it difficult to write about their feelings. If you find that keeping a therapy journal is 
causing you more stress, it might not be the right tool for you.


