The Benefits of Journaling: Helping Clients to Discover Themselves
Barbara Seifert, Ph. D., LCSW, CPC
Abstract: In our charge as a coach, we are asked to help clients break past barriers and help them achieve a desired level of success. This is usually done through deep, probing questions with the intent to have the client find the answers they seek within. While we, as the coach, can see the progress clients are making, it is often times difficult for clients to do so. Not just the overt changes, like changing jobs or losing weight. But the deeper changes, i.e. the cognitive shifts that tap into their strengths and takes them from following to leading. When they get to this level, what they’ve uncovered is what will sustain them for the rest of their life. Getting clients to be aware of these shifts and the greatness uncovered is the hard part. Affirming their newfound thought and action patterns is great, as is asking the client to write their “wins” on their weekly coach call sheet. But is this enough? One technique I firmly believe in and recommend to my clients is journaling. A journal can be the key to unlocking the mind. Journaling can be what they want it to be. Journaling can help a client to discover themselves - who they are, how they feel, and why they do the things they do (or don’t do).