The IAJW Journal Council is a group of dynamic experts comprised of the top thinkers–the movers and the shakers in the world of journal writing. Many of these experts are featured in our monthly ZoomChat interviews where you can speak with them directly. They also share their knowledge and wisdom through our courses and other offerings. Their collective body of knowledge and expertise in the journaling, expressive writing and creativity fields is world class. This is an astounding gathering of the best of the best journal writing experts – all with information and inspiration to share with YOU!
Beth Jacobs
Beth Jacobs, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and life-time journaler, and the combination has led to a career in therapeutic writing, and several books, including ... Read More >>
Christina Baldwin
Christina Baldwin is a writer and seminar presenter of 30+ years' experience. She has contributed two classic books to the renaissance of personal writing, including ... Read More >>
Emelie Hill
Emelie Hill Dittmer is a therapeutic writing educator, journalist, and author of the Swedish guidebook Skriv för att läka - En guide i reflekterande skrivande ... Read More >>
Eric Maisel, Ph.D.
Eric Maisel, Ph.D., is the author of more than fifty books, among them Overcoming Your Difficult Family, The Future of Mental Health, Rethinking Depression, Life ... Read More >>
Hannah Braime
Hannah Braime is a writer and teacher who believes the world is a richer place when we have the courage to be fully self-expressed. She ... Read More >>
Jackee Holder
Jackee has been an advocate and champion of journal writing for over thirty years. From her early origins of journal writing as a young woman, ... Read More >>
John F. Evans, September 9th, 1947 – December 29th, 2022.
John Evans left this physical world on December 29th, 2022 after a long and courageous journey with cancer. He will be greatly missed in our ... Read More >>
Joyce Chapman
Joyce Chapman is a leading expert in the field of journal keeping and has been involved for over 50 years in education, motivational training, consulting, ... Read More >>
Judy Reeves
Judy Reeves is an award-winning writer and teacher whose books on the writing craft include A Writer’s Book of Days (named "Best Nonfiction" by the San ... Read More >>
Kathleen Adams, LPC, PTR
Kathleen Adams, LPC, PTR is a psychotherapist best known for her pioneering work in bringing journal therapy to the expressive arts therapies pantheon. She created ... Read More >>
Leia Francisco
My love for journaling and expressive writing is entwined with my passion for helping people with transitions. After many years of writing and coaching, I ... Read More >>
Louise DeSalvo September 27, 1942 – October 31, 2018
Remembering Louise DeSalvo September 27, 1942 - October 31, 2018 Sadly, Louise passed away on October 31st, 2018. She was a true pioneer, teacher and ... Read More >>
Lucia Capacchione, Ph.D., November 3rd, 1937 – November 28th, 2022
We honour the work and memory of Lucia Capacchione, PhD, who sadly left this world on November 28th, 2022. Lucia was a Registered Art Therapist ... Read More >>
Lynda Monk
Lynda Monk, MSW, RSW, CPCC, is the Director of the International Association for Journal Writing. She is a Registered Social Worker and a Certified Professional Co-Active ... Read More >>
Mark Matousek
Mark Matousek is the author of two acclaimed memoirs, Sex Death Enlightenment: A True Story (an international bestseller) and The Boy He Left Behind: A ... Read More >>
Marlene Schiwy
Marlene Schiwy, Ph.D., is the author of A Voice of Her Own: Women and the Journal Writing Journey, and Simple Days: A Journal on What ... Read More >>
Mary Ann Moore
Mary Ann Moore brings her passion for poetry and for writing as a spiritual and wellness practice to the Writing Life Circles she offers in ... Read More >>
Merle R. Saferstein
As the director of educational outreach at the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center for twenty-six years, Merle Saferstein worked closely with hundreds of Holocaust survivors ... Read More >>
Meryl Cook
Meryl Cook is an author, speaker, creativity workshop leader, and contemporary rug hooking artist in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. She launched her hugely popular book One ... Read More >>
Nicolle Nattrass
Nicolle Nattrass’s professional expertise is a result of her distinct and unique careers in Counselling, Theatre, Writing and Teaching. She is a Certified Addiction Counsellor ... Read More >>
Pat Schneider June 1, 1934 – August 10, 2020
Remembering Pat Schneider, June 1, 1934 - August 10, 2020. Pat was a well-loved poet and author of ten books including five volumes of ... Read More >>
Ruth Folit
Ruth Folit is the founder and former director of the International Association for Journal Writing (www.IAJW.org) where she brought together journal experts and journal writers ... Read More >>
Sandra Marinella
Sandra Marinella, MA and MEd, is an award-winning writing teacher and author from Chandler, Arizona. She has taught thousands of students and presented hundreds of ... Read More >>
Sheila Bender
Sheila Bender is the founder and publisher of http://WritingItReal.com, a resource community for those who write from personal experience. She is the author of the ... Read More >>
Susan Borkin
Susan Borkin, PhD is a licensed psychotherapist and speaker based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 1978 she has specialized in the therapeutic use ... Read More >>