[sweetpea_tx]

I'm actually starting to journal again... I don't have an appointment til 4/20, but I intend on writing in it daily, or as close to as I can manage. I've also started to track moods. I figure between the two, I should be able to maybe get insight on everything, so I can ask for help in time.

Lisa

[ECHOES]

Hi paddy, I replied to your other post about journalling

[Michah]

Paddy, Hello!! I admire you willingness to document........it is a trait I do not share and it is mostly out of fear, fatigue and boredom. I am sick of therapy and sick of talking about it.......hearing your positive tack to your healing is refreshing. I am writing a book though......more creative than healing but has cathertic elements i guess.

Sorry if I sound like a negative nancy(sorry anyone called nancy)

[sky dancer]

I used to keep a journal and found it quite helpful. I had my therapy session the day before yesterday and I realized I had never told the therapist an important trauma experience that relates directly to the work I'm doing on recovering from being the victim of a crime.

If I'd written that down I would have told him already. It's very interesting that I've neglected to add this piece to my psych puzzle.

[sky dancer]

Originally Posted by paddym22

Hey everybody

Does anyone here keep a journal of your therapy sessions? If so do you write straight after the session or after a day or two and what kind of things would you write? I am looking for guidelines for mine and I have come to a dead end......

Thanks

Paddy

Hmm. I think you could start with what you remember of the session. What you told the T and what the T said. You could also write about how you felt before, during and after the session.

You could write questions that may have come up--or are coming up now--that you want to clarify with the T.

It's kind of a mindfulness exercise. The other helpful activity is if you get into a habit of journaliing in general, you may find yourself seeing patterns easier, and you may start remembering dreams--which can give you additional information that is under the surface of the cognitive mind.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by paddym22

Hey everybody

Does anyone here keep a journal of your therapy sessions? If so do you write straight after the session or after a day or two and what kind of things would you write? I am looking for guidelines for mine and I have come to a dead end......

Thanks

Paddy

I dont keep a journal. where I see my therapist they record sessions. If I dont remember what happened I just ask my therapist to schedule a "viewing" session where we watch my sessions and talk about them. Copies can also be made at my request.

[Esthergirl]

I don't keep a journal specifically about my T appointments, but my T did ask me to start journaling - about whatever I am feeling. I write it during the week, and then when I go to my T appointment I give my pages to him for him to read. Then he asks questions about what I wrote, we talk about it - so it's kind of a spring-board for us. At first I couldn't imagine what I would write about - now I find myself filling page after page.

Originally Posted by paddym22

Hey everybody

Does anyone here keep a journal of your therapy sessions? If so do you write straight after the session or after a day or two and what kind of things would you write? I am looking for guidelines for mine and I have come to a dead end......

Thanks

Paddy

[mlpHolmes]

Hi Paddy!

I keep a Journal. I write in it as soon as I get home. I find I remember the small details. Some sessions if my mind is a bit unorganized I'll take notes & ask T for a quick summary at the end of the session - that works really well for me. My journal is a reflective tool for me & quite valuable in my progress.

Take care Sweetie!
Holmes

PS. You may want to check out different ways of journalling, insightful questions to ask yourself, that you might not have thought of!

[ciefish]

hi paddy-
In one of my local groups they suggested keeping a meds journal. I've had a rainbow of different meds and combos/cocktails the last year. Since I've started writing in my meds journal morning/noon/night it helps me remember more accurately what effect my current meds have on me. My memory isn't the greatest. Things like morning meds hangover, too sleepy, appetite, weight change, need to nap in afternoon etc. I started with a new pdoc the beginning on 2009 and the journal has helped me get my meds dialed in better. Also, with my bipolar if I'm swinging too far one way or having a bad time (either bummed out or manic) and I see a trend in my journal I've been able to call my pdoc and discuss for a temp med change.