The Power of Journaling: A Guided Pathway to Insight - Tapa dura

This journal covers a large demographic?older children, teenagers, and adults of all ages?who may not naturally have a sense of insight into how they think, feel, and act. A type of journaling that hones in on their specific need for the discovery of self and the world around them, but also incorporates aspects of fun and fantasy, would benefit not only their lives, but also the lives of the people with whom they interact.

In pop culture, tests such as the Rorschach Inkblot Test are well known. In the world of psychology, a projective technique?that is, open-ended means of expression based on a reaction to a given prompt?provides a glimpse at behavior and emotions on a deeper level. Journaling, painting, and other means of daily artistic expression are wonderful ways to help older children, teens, and adults begin the process of developing insight in the same way. It is time for people to stop being driven by feelings and conflicts that they cannot identify. The Power of Journaling brings the value of therapy into the home, providing the chance for real insight and long-lasting change.

Dr. Nicolle Napier-Ionascu works as a clinical neuropsychologist in the department of neurology at Children’s Hospital and Research Center in Oakland, CA. She is a contributing author for livestrong.com and ehow.com, having published over sixty articles for these sites in the past year. Nicolle graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in the late 1990s with a degree in English Literature. She then went on to earn her Master’s Degree and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, specializing in neuropsychology. While in graduate school Nicolle conducted research examining interpersonal relationships, body image issues, and projective testing in young woman, ultimately writing her dissertation on the role of such factors in personal development based on results of the Rorschach Inkblot Test.

After studying Fashion Design for a year in London, Andrea Michelle Napier, MFA returned to California to finish a Bachelor of Arts in Costume Design at California State University, Los Angeles. From there, she went on to receive a Master of Fine Arts in Costume Design from the University of Arizona, Tucson, where her emphasis was in Period Costume History and Construction. Through writing and journaling, Ms. Napier has found an amazing outlet of expression and self-discovery that she hopes to share with others through this project.