April H. Klein

Great question! While the Journal to the Self® curriculum, including eighteen different journaling techniques, was created by psychotherapist Kathleen Adams, it is intended to serve as a toolbox for all who may benefit. Group Therapy, led by a licensed mental health professional, aims to reduce specific mental health symptoms and aid in desired behavior modification. Group Discovery, however, is led by a trained facilitator that introduces structured modalities for experiential learning and sharing around a desired topic of focus. In Group Discovery, each participant may have different goals for how they intend to use the tools they will explore. As a Journal Instructor, April's role is to guide the small group experience through each style of journaling and to facilitate the conversations that lead to deeper understanding of how these writing practices may be beneficial.

Unless stated otherwise, both workshops and courses are open to adults age 18 and older. A mix of ages, genders, and backgrounds make for a uniquely rich group experience. If you are interested in hosting a workshop or course that includes teens, please reach out to April in the contact form below to discuss.

While research does support a neurological benefit to writing by hand, it is important to recognize which format you will be most likely to regularly engage in for your personal journaling practice. If, for you, that is a digital format: laptop, iPad, phone app(s) may be used in the group setting in place of pen and paper. Simply bring your preferred device with you. If voice/dictated or video journaling is a need or desire, please reach out to April in the form below to discuss how that might work within a group setting.

No. In each of our group sessions we will make time to learn, practice/write, reflect, and share. The sharing part is never expected or mandatory. When we do share, it will be more focused on what was gained from the practice itself, rather than a reading of any personal writing content. While sharing will be the smallest percentage of our time together, it can be helpful to the entire group to hear how someone else's experience differed from or mirrored our own. April strives to create a safe space where everyone feels welcomed and encouraged, but never pressured to share.

Groups sizes will typically vary from 6 to 9 people, including April. This allows for a conversational experience rather than a classroom format. It also allows participants to get to know one another a bit better, building community connections.