Journaling Therapy 101: Using Writing as a Therapeutic Tool for Clients
Presented by
Dreya Blume, LCSWThis experiential training will introduce you to the art and science of journaling therapy, exploring evidence-based writing techniques that support emotional regulation, trauma processing, and cognitive restructuring.
Overview
1.5 CEs Recorded: Fall, 2025
Writing has the power to heal, offering clients a safe space to process emotions, reframe experiences, and gain deeper self-awareness. But how can therapists harness journaling as an effective therapeutic tool? This experiential training will introduce you to the art and science of journaling therapy, exploring evidence-based writing techniques that support emotional regulation, trauma processing, and cognitive restructuring. You will learn how to tailor journaling exercises to different client needs, navigate potential ethical considerations, and integrate writing practices into various therapeutic modalities. Through hands-on exercises, discussion, and lecture, you will leave equipped with practical journaling interventions to enhance client insight, resilience, and personal growth.
OBJECTIVES:
Develop an understanding of the psychological and neuroscientific benefits of journaling as a therapeutic tool.
Learn different journaling techniques, including expressive writing, gratitude journaling, and cognitive restructuring exercises.
Identify client concerns and presentations where journaling can be particularly beneficial, as well as potential ethical considerations.
About the Presenter
Dreya Blume (she/her) is a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, author, and educator. Dreya began working in the mental health field in 2004 in southwest Virginia, where she spent almost two decades serving the local transgender community as a gender therapist. She recently moved to Durham, NC, where she focuses on offering continuing education training to therapists and coaching for private practice clinicians who want to expand their business uniquely. Dreya loves to write and is the author of several books, including, “The Tarot Activity Book: A Collection of Creative and Therapeutic Ideas for the Cards,” “Journaling the Tarot,” “Everyone Has a Story: Using the Hero’s Journey and Narrative Therapy to Reframe the Struggle of Mental Illness,” and “Tarot for Transformation: Using the Major Arcana to Discover Your Best Self and Create a Life Worth Living.” All of Dreya’s books (under her former name, Andy Matzner) are available here: https://dreyablume.com/books. Dreya is also passionate about teaching. Before becoming a mental health clinician, she spent many years teaching English as a Second Language in places such as Japan, Australia, Thailand, and Hawaii. Once in Virginia, Dreya worked as an adjunct professor for almost twenty years at Hollins University, teaching gender studies and sociology in their Master of Liberal Studies program. In addition, she spent twelve years teaching future social workers in the human services program at Virginia Western Community College. Learn more about Dreya on her website: https://dreyablume.com/.