Write with Ruth
Guided Journaling
Facilitated by Ruth Czirr
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About Guided Journaling
Journaling can stir up deep emotions, or help you revisit important times. It can surprise you with creativity and humor, or bring a CLICK of sudden clarity that clears your way forward. People think journaling is like a daily diary - recording what has already happened. But in guided journaling, you are working and experiencing as you write. In the last 60 years, several teachers have developed techniques that may surprise you with their ease and usefulness. The best way to understand this difference is to try a sample of the work yourself.
Ruth's methods protect your privacy. She gives instructions and tips; you choose what to write about, knowing there is no pressure to "share with the group."
Why work in a group setting, then? Many people find that writing seems easier when you have made an appointment to take time and focus, and when you have the quiet support of others who are also working. You may comment on your experience, or raise questions, but what you write belongs to you -- not even the facilitator needs to know it.
Guided journaling offers ways to make your writing safer and more productive. You learn how to use guardrails and containers for your work, and ways to soothe yourself if you are writing about painful or difficult things. As you get familiar with many techniques, you can choose the kinds of writing that works best for you. If you have a counselor or therapist, share this description with them. People often find that journaling is a natural support for their work in therapy or recovery.
Ruth has been using and teaching journaling since the 1970s. She draws on methods from many teachers and researchers, and has studied with Kathleen Adams at the Center for Journal Therapy. Ruth offers writing events from an hour to a day or a retreat, and can tailor a program for a group (eg, students, caregivers, church workers, activists, people going through life transitions, or a group of friends).
Students Say...
It was not what I was expecting,
but I mean that in a good way...
This is definitely helpful for me
to process my daily frustrations.
Ruth's approach is thoughtful
and meditative.
Tools I wish I had earlier in life.
~~~
ANONYMOUS
"Stay-at-Home Mom"
Ruth is gentle, humorous, practical and spiritual all at once...
Give yourself the gift of quiet and time, and some structure
to hear your own voice.
Let Ruth introduce you
to this beautiful practice.
~~~
LAURA, 60
"Lifelong Workaholic
(in recovery)"
Helps me process challenges
in my life, situations at work,
and lessens the darkness
of grief... Ruth made writing manageable - easy to get started with her prompts
and encouragements.
~~~
MANDY, 44
Mortician
JOURNAL to the SELF® Workshops
Ruth is also a Certified Instructor for the Journal to the Self® Workshop -- a 12-hour course that teaches you how to use journaling for personal growth, problem-solving, self-care, and creative expression. It has been offered since 1985 by Kathleen Adams, a pioneer in the power of structured expressive writing. It's open to almost anyone, and Mental Health professionals can also earn CEU credits for it.
In this course, you'll practice 18 diverse techniques that will give you tools for any topic you choose to write. You can find free samples and more about the system here.
The 12 hours can be spaced over several weeks, concentrated into a weekend retreat, or arranged in other ways. Private workshops can be arranged for organizations, churches, or just a group of friends.
This workshop requires 6 people who commit to attend, and can accommodate up to 12. Sign up HERE to be contacted when a group is forming in the Little Rock area or on Zoom, or to inquire about private events.
Continuing Ed for Mental Health Professionals
A Mental Health professional who completes the Journal to the Self® course can earn 12 hours of CEU credits for a small additional fee. The Center for Journal Therapy, Inc. / Therapeutic Writing Institute, which issues the CEUs, is an NBCC-approved CE Provider (ACEP #5782). These hours are accepted by nearly all boards in counseling and substance abuse, and many social work or psychology boards. If you have questions, check with your state board or governing agency.
For counselors and other professionals, the methods you learn in this course have triple benefits. FIrst, when you work with a client or student, understanding the "Journal Ladder" system helps you select prompts to encourage a particular person's writing at a particular time.
Second, the writing tools support your professional work. Your journaling provides a creative and trustworthy channel for reflection and problem-solving that can help you untangle clinical and supervisory challenges. Its safety and privacy can be especially valuable for professionals who work in isolation, in small towns, or in highly confidential situations.
Finally, as is true for anyone, journaling supports your resilience, healing, personal growth, and creative development. It can be a lifeline in times of life stress, career transitions, or exhaustion. Other health professionals, educators, attorneys, and technical professionals have praised the value of structured expressive writing -- the Journal to the Self® includes tools that appeal to a variety of brains, temperaments, and learning styles.