Psy 473: Therapy journals
(8-13-08)

You have been asked to obtained a steno pad for use in the class for a number of in class and between class assignments. Please bring your steno pad to each class. You may use it for class notes if you wish. You must use it for a number of assignments.

The steno pad will be used, in part, as a journal to record your reactions to different questions and aspects of the class. It is your personal thoughts, feelings, and efforts to understand the issues and material from class that are important. Some of the material in the journal will be of a personal nature. Since this is a class requirement and since I will be looking at it occasionally, we will have this understanding--you may lie in your journal. Feel free to make up, omit, confabulate, or distort any personal information that you would find embarrassing, distressful to discuss, or for any reason do not wish to share. You can be truthful at some points and not at others--only you will know. You can alter your life story, borrow your former roommate's family, or fantasize an entirely new history. In general you might wish to do this little and selectively--many of the assignments may more productive if you are using genuine memories--but it is entirely up to you. I will not know and have no need to know: the purpose of the journals is served in the process, not the content.

If you have any concerns regarding this aspect of the class, please see me.

Dr. House