Visual Journaling: Going Deeper than Words

I strongly recommend the book VISUAL JOURNALING, written by Barbara Ganim and Susan Fox. VISUAL JOURNALING is the name of their book, yet the process they describe is also a very valuable guide; a guide into a clearer understanding of self. Illusion and misinterpretation seem to shatter softly and gently under their tender directives. The process appears to illuminate inner wisdom, understanding and symbolic meaning. There is no strange mysticism connected to it, yet it is mystical in how meaning surfaces and clarifies a query. As a traditionally trained psychotherapist I have found "visual journaling" to be more than an adjunct training tool. Clients share with me how meaningful it has become for them; accessing insight through this process often is desribed as an "unexpected gift". This process blends itself well with prayer and/or meditation. Any topic can be explored; resolution often occurs.

Beautifully written, love the connection to soul this provides. Highly highly recommended!

I strongly disagree with TheCafeWriter's critique of this book. Firstly, it should be pointed out that the authors suggest experimenting with different media (pastels OR crayons OR thick markers) to find one that best suits you. They suggest these media because they assert that such media allow for freer expression (with broad, sweeping strokes) than something carefully drawn with thin pencils and pens, for example. There is no mention in the book of any "smelly fixatives" needed. If chalk pastels don't work for you, perhaps try one of the other media? Hello?!There is no need for the reader to understand what other journal-makers have drawn/painted and how that symbolizes what they were feeling. It is emphasized several times that no-one but the producer of the art can interpret what the symbol means. Each person's art is unique and different people will produce different symbols for different feelings and the body's feeling of different life situations. The reason for the exercises of getting you into your body, is that the body is where the symbols originate. You go inside your body to feel what is there, how your body is holding a life situation. After sitting with the body for a while with interested curiosity, you notice if there is a symbol that would express how/what you feel. It is also stated that this symbol may not be a picture - it may perhaps be a word, for example.It should be pointed out that the title of the book is "Visual Journaling", so of course the emphasis is on visualizing, seeing in your mind's eye what your body is experiencing. Forgive me, but isn't drawn and painted art necessarily visual? And so sorry if your particular questions and needs weren't met - it's a book, so of course it's going to be general information! Go get private instruction if you need specific questions answered. Sheesh!

This is a wonderful and thorough introduction to visual journaling, arranged in a six-week progression. I particularly liked that, unlike some other visual/art journaling texts I've seen, the exercises are very open-ended. They suggest some good media to start out in and give general outlines for how to journal, but don't assume that you have access to a professional-grade art studio and space to do giant mixed-media collages.As a couple other reviewers have said, I did find the lengthy intention-setting and analysis a little offputting. Some centering and intention is good, but after a certain point I find it just gets in the way. But the authors are very quick to let the reader know that doing the full pre- and post-exercises isn't necessary if you don't find it useful in your own work.Since I'm not exactly a professional-caliber artist, I really liked the variety of example journals given. Some are very detailed and technically skilled, while others are blobs of color or simpler line drawings, and it really drives home the point that you don't have to identify as an artist or have any formal artistic training for this to be useful to you. I wish the written reactions were typed out, though -- in several places the authors suggest that you read over one of the "conversations" another journaler has with their work, and it's very difficult to read the tiny photocopied handwriting.My one major pet peeve with this book was the emphasis on getting in touch with your right brain and throwing away the attachment to logic and words...by having extended verbal/written conversations with your work before and after drawing. I really like the technique and am finding it very useful, but some of the psychology and philosophy surrounding it seems contradictory or superficial and I keep getting distracted by how much it annoys me.

So I heard that Visual Journaling was great for dealing with emotions like stubborn grief in your heart. However I didn't have a lot of hopes for it because I'm not especially good at drawing. But I decided to give it a shot.And I was pleasantly surprised. Not only about how easy it is, but how revealing your drawings are about what's going on inside your subconscious--especially in contrast to what you either say to others OR think that you think. I recommend it especially to people who have a hard time expressing themselves. For myself--It's only been one week so far (it's set up for a six week course) but I find my own body/mind already looks forward to doing it every other day or so.

It's been great to be able to trust the instruction of the authors of Visual Journaling and make exciting new connections between my mind, body, and spirit. I am an artist/writer and spiritual director and a former teacher. I look forward to returning to Chapter 1 and re-starting all the exercises for a second time around!

Wonderful support for Mindfulness practice

Thoughtful book. I enjoyed it.

Visually appealing presentation. Very useful practical activities included in the book. This text is highly relevant for counselling practice that includes the expressive therapies.

Fabulous!

Not what I expected..