Journaling

Journal writing is one of a group of therapies that provides an opportunity for individuals to reflect on and analyze their lives, the events, and people surrounding them and get in touch with their feelings. It is a therapy that requires individuals to be engaged in reflecting on and gaining insights about their lives and experiences. The terms journaling, diary, reflective writing, expressive writing, and therapeutic writing are often used in the literature interchangeably; minor differences exist. Diaries more commonly focus on recording details of an event or tracking symptoms. The other terms instead typically refer to a tool for reflection. This chapter focuses on these written reflective practices, which are referred to collectively as journaling. Journaling is a holistic therapy because it involves all aspects of a person-physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Scholars have put forth multiple theoretical mechanisms by which journaling may produce beneficial outcomes.