Description
Substantial research supports the importance of one’s personal narrative in overcoming challenging experiences, including life transitions and trauma. This training is designed to deepen participants understanding of how journaling can support the psychotherapeutic process. Multiple therapeutic modalities, including narrative therapy and trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) use the personal narrative as part of psychotherapy. This training begins with a review of the origins and development of therapeutic journaling, alongside current research demonstrating its effectiveness in clinical work.
Through interactive exercises, group discussions and case discussions, this training will expand participants’ therapeutic toolkit. This hands-on session provides immediately applicable techniques to support clients in managing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma, process difficult memories, and enhance their capacity for insight and self-compassion.
This is an interactive and practical training, and participants are encouraged to engage in the group activities and share experiences with the group.
Learning Outcomes
- Review research literature on the use and effectiveness of journaling as a therapeutic tool and the role of a coherent narrative for mental health.
- Understand theoretical underpinnings of journalling.
- Identify and use different journaling techniques suited for various therapeutic stages and goals.
- Integrate personalized journaling interventions that align with a client’s needs, presentation, and cultural considerations.
- Address potential barriers to journaling engagement.
Who Should Attend
This course is recommended for mental health professionals, clinicians, and other client facing professionals with intermediate experience. This may include registered psychotherapists, registered social workers, psychological associates, psychologists, counsellors, child and youth practitioners. Registered nurses that provide counselling.
Course Dates & Format
March 9, 2026
12:30 pm – 4:00 pm ET
This is a 3.5-hour training. This course consists of one 3.5-hour interactive virtual session using Zoom.
Instructor: Dr. Rana Pishva, C. Psych.
Rana Pishva is a clinical psychologist who makes the complexities of mental health more approachable for professionals and the public alike. She works with children, teens, and adults through significant life transitions, especially those that seem too complex or scary to navigate alone. Rana’s approach centers on compassion, curiosity, and evidence-based practice. She draws in her background in CBT, attachment and narrative therapy to support clients and fellow therapists in making sense of their experiences and sorting through personal narratives.
Beyond the therapy room, Rana writes about her work, offers professional consultation and supervision, and delivers tailored workshops on a number of topics such as attachment and trauma, psychotherapy skills, and parenting. Her goal is to make evidence-based psychological science accessible and equip others with practical tools to gain insight and motivate meaningful change.
Training Fee
Member Fee: $110.00 + $14.30 (HST) = $124.30
Non-Member Fee: $130.00 + $16.90 (HST) = $146.90
Group Registration: Save 20% off regular individual fees with a group registration of 4 or more participants. Download the group registration form HERE.
Continuing Education Information
Licensing boards and professional organizations will grant Continuing Education credits for attendance at their discretion when participants submit the course outline and certificate.
In-Service
This is available as an in-person or virtual in-service training and customized to suit your needs.
