1.  What is the Certified Journal Facilitator program?
The CJF program prepares you to responsibly and ethically facilitate journal groups in your own community. It's a comprehensive program of core theory, professional development and supervised practice. You'll probably finish in 18-24 months, including your supervised practicum and capstone project. Learning takes place on-line, in an asynchronous (24/7) learning platform. You'll study with a community of other learners.

2. Why would I want to take it? What's in it for me?
You will be prepared to earn more money doing work you love.
Journal writing is on the rise. Nearly every self-help author, health and wellness program, recovery method, spiritual practice and management expert recommends journal writing. The popularity and awareness of journal writing as a self-help tool has never been higher. And in these difficult, troubled times – your community is filled with individuals, families and groups who need to learn skills and strategies for managing chaos, confusion and disruption. Research demonstrates that writing works.

There are opportunities in every community to teach journal writing classes and lead journal groups – in churches, libraries, rec centers, universities and colleges, adult education programs, clinics, corporations, employee assistance programs, psychotherapy and coaching practices, hospitals… or even living rooms.

If you're looking to supplement or replace income – if you are nearing retirement, or if you want to phase out of one career and into another area of work that is more aligned with your core values and heart's desires – and/or if you want to make a meaningful contribution to the world around you, the practical, CJF program may be exactly what you're seeking.

3. How long does it take?
On average, 18-24 months, depending on how many classes are taken per term.

4. How much does it cost?
Cost for CJF trainees is $250 per 8-week class. There are 12 classes required, plus an additional 3 classes in psychological awareness for those not eligible for transfer or waiver. Supervision is billed hourly when that stage is reached. The Journal to the Self Instructor Certification Training (designed to be income-producing in the facilitation stage) is a separate tuition of $1500 for the 4-day residential intensive in Denver. If travel to Denver would present undue hardship, a substitution of the home study course ($1200) may be requested.

I'll ask you to take the ICT early in your training process, because it is designed to be immediately income-producing. By starting right out teaching journal workshops in your own community, you will be able to “earn as you learn.”

5. What are some unique features of this program?
I'm a pragmatic trainer. I know that the best training and education in the world must also be integrated with actual, practical knowledge on how to take it to the marketplace. I want you to make money (if that's what you want for yourself) with what you're learning. So I've included a strong business/professional development component. The current students tell me that they've never had a graduate or professional development training that included classes like marketing, business planning and grant writing.  I will coach you toward paid groups for your facilitation experience so that you can begin earning money starting right away.
I also want you to have a solid grounding in not just the core theory and practice, but also professional development. That's why you'll take classes on ethics, vision & manifestation, curriculum development, psychological awareness and research. (If you're trained as a mental health professional, you will likely waive out of ethics and psychological awareness.)

Another unique feature is a commitment to advancing the body of knowledge and development in the field. You'll learn how to create original journal workshops and groups for any audience you choose (divorced moms, spiritual seekers, laid-off corporate executives, the newly bereaved, people seeking creative expression, teens at risk – you name it!) And you'll have the opportunity to contribute your original curricula to an ever-expanding library exclusively for the use of program graduates.

You'll also enjoy the strong community aspect built into the program. Classes are small (8-12 persons each) and there is lots of opportunity to study with others all over the world. It's a genuinely caring, supportive community where everyone is both teacher and student.

6. How does learning happen?
This is an internet-based program. We use as our primary learning platform a discussion board that is available to you 24/7 from the comfort and privacy of your own home or office. The classes and discussion take place in a virtual college with several learning activities scheduled simultaneously. I chose this system to parallel as closely as possible the learning platforms, such as Blackboard and eCollege, that I've used for teaching online classes as faculty for a graduate program at the University of Denver. You'll also learn through audio tutorials, teleclasses, practicum fieldwork in your own community, and individual supervision by phone.

7. Who are the faculty?
Core, adjunct and guest faculty have all acquired expertise in their areas of specialty. Many are authors of books used as texts in the program. There are currently 5 core faculty and 7 adjunct/guest faculty members.

8. I'm not a psychotherapist. Can I still apply?
Two-thirds of the current trainees are not psychotherapists, social workers or counselors. They are high school teachers, college professors, life coaches, business consultants, poets and writers, nurses, and small business owners. You'll take a “psychological awareness” series to support your facilitation process.

9. I am a psychotherapist. Do you offer continuing education? What about a clinical focus?
I'm an approved provider for the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Licensed professional counselors (LPCs), nationally certified counselors (NCCs), licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs) and other psychotherapists whose licenses are recognized through NBCC, or whose state licensing boards accept NBCC-approved continuing education, can receive CEUs at no additional cost.

Licensed therapists are welcome to structure curriculum planning and facilitation for clinical audiences and receive the Certified Journal Therapist (CJT) designation on graduation.

10. What is required for admission?
A B.A. or B.S. degree or higher, or professional license (e.g., RN) if bachelor's degree is not required for licensure. Under special circumstances, exceptions can be made for those without a bachelor's degree; please ask. Other admission requirements include written application, letters of reference, personal interviews, transcripts and a personal statement. Application forms will be provided on request. The first step is a phone interview.

11. What have others said about the program?
Here's what Lynn has to say about participating in the Certified Journal Facilitator program! Just press the Play button to listen:

12. I don't really care about getting certified. Can I just take classes?
Of course!  Anyone otherwise qualified may take classes for his/her own personal and professional development at a slightly higher tuition.

13. What else do I need to know?
This is a serious course of professional study that requires commitment of resources – time, money and energy – for about 18-24 months. Applicants should be able and willing to move into facilitation of journal groups starting soon after the Journal to the Self Instructor Certification Training is completed. Applicants must be computer-literate, have home and office access to the inernet, and able to participate in an internet-based program.

14. What if I have more questions or want an application?
Download the application, then emall or write me using the contact information on the left side of this page. Email may get a faster response.  We'll schedule a phone interview. If you're drawn to this work – I look forward to speaking with you. Thanks so much!