Yes. I find that journaling helps me tremendously...especially with anxiety. When I'm particularly anxious, I try to hold on to so many different thoughts, that I just get overwhelmed, but by writing them in my journal, I don't have to hold them in my brain anymore. Journaling also allows me to reflect on things and put thoughts in to words.

For me, writing is a much easier method of expression. It allows me to think about what I need to say, and to find the right words to express emotions. It allows me to get all my thoughts out of my head, and then I can go back and look through it and see what's really going on. Once my T figured out that I'm a writer, she encouraged me to journal and I will often read her parts of entries when I get stuck for words in a session. I don't really think of it as being alone with what I write, because I know that if I need to, I can share it with my T. Sometimes, I'll start writing and realize that it's something I need to really get rid of, not just write about...in those cases, I'll either type it all in an email to T, or rip out the page (or re-copy to another sheet) and burn the paper, to just "let go" of the thoughts. I've found that watching those words go up in smoke is very freeing for me.

My T never requires me to read her my entries. It's always my option, and I can pick what part of an entry to read to her. Sometimes, especially with the difficult stuff, even reading the journal entry is hard! If I get stuck when talking, my T will ask if it's something I've written about, and if I'd like to read that instead...sometimes I say yes, sometimes I say no!