The Extraordinary Healing Pen Process…taking the first step…RELEASE…BREATHE…RELEASE…BREATHE
The first stage in the journal exercises of the Healing Pen is the “phase of release.” In the first seven weeks, I begin by encouraging the patient to verbalize and express on paper without censoring oneself. I make use of variety of methods, including simply providing the patient with a list of emotions and adjectives to assist in articulating the thought or emotion that requires expression. I’ve discovered that patients do not always have the words or vocabulary to adequately express themselves. Another technique that ameliorates the process of release is encouraging the patient to reflect upon some of their happier moments. Patients must describe happy and pleasurable moments in detail, recording descriptive recollections related to all the five senses, including experiences of taste, sights, sounds, touch, and smells. Patients can become engrossed in this activity for at least an hour.
This process of assisting patients in accessing and/or formulating memories requires patience on the part of the therapist. In my experience, it is not uncommon to have a patient express that they are unable to recall any happy or pleasant moments. In a setting where a patient is overwhelmed with an extensive history of trauma, I am prepared for this response. The brain has a way of protecting itself. Thus, memory can often become selective or repressive. In this respect, often I will bring the patient to the present moment and have them express gratitude for the gifts that are often taken for granted such as the air in their lungs or the sun streaming in through the window of my office. I will support the patient in learning to appreciate the gift of the present moment. The use of guided imagery and visualization is also beneficial in this process where the mind is resistant to recall.
Moving along through the process of release; the patient now must also be willing to recollect some of the worst moments of their lives. This process will evolve gently and with sensitivity in a safe, therapeutic environment. I will often guide the patient with identifying an uncomfortable feeling or emotion. Then, I will encourage the patient to use mindful awareness to identify the location in the body where the emotional pain is experienced. Next, the patient will write what this pain feels like. This identification will naturally progress with the patient revealing the traumatic moment or situation in its entirety over a period of time using this technique. The patient will be encouraged, validated, and supported in documenting in their journal every ugly and uncomfortable thought, emotion, or feeling that could not be uttered out loud. Additionally, we will discuss the patient’s multiple reasons for the prior silence; including shame, guilt, fear, or perhaps the absence of a caring individual emotionally available to provide support for the patient.
Patients are not always willing to release such ugly and traumatic experiences. As a therapist, I must consciously practice non-judgmental acceptance and unconditional positive regard to coax the patient through this process. Now this is a rough process initially, however if the patient is afraid to release, the patient will not progress through the Healing Pen process completely. However, the patient will still benefit from any therapeutic purging that the Healing Pen process can elicit. As the Healer in this challenging process, it is my continuous role to assure the patient that they are emotionally safe and that the divulges of their experiences are confidential.
The patient learns to use their words and to communicate the pain and the hurt effectively. Some patients choose to share what they have written with the therapist or a trusted loved one. Although a shared narrative is therapeutic in the healing process; some patients will choose not to share. The most important aspect of the Healing Pen process that the patient resolves to practice honesty with oneself. This process will encourage the patient to honestly express through the journal writing. The release of ugliness, pain, and hurt is for the sole benefit of the patient. It is this emotional pain that the patient holds inside that creates symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger, obsessive/compulsive behavior and perpetuates chronic pain. It is only after releasing this emotional pain that the psychological scars begin to heal. The apparent measure of success of the Healing Pen journal sessions becomes the patient’s actions towards demonstrating a mindful approach towards managing trauma and choosing to manage the impact of the trauma on current functioning.
If the patient can successfully complete the first stage of initial release and acknowledgement of the extent of one’s trauma, the patient will begin to experience some alleviation of negative symptoms. The releasing process is initiated in the initial 7 weeks of the first stage, however, the process of release is continuous throughout the Healing Pen journey. If the patient feels prepared and strong enough emotionally to move towards the second stage, the therapist assists the patient in the “act of release” which can include a simple ritual after writing in the journal. The “act of release” can include shredding the pages of the journal, burying the pages in the earth as a symbol of healing; or burning the pages safely in a contained area to release the negativity into the universe to be naturally neutralized. This aspect of the process empowers the patient. The patient is actively taking steps to manage the trauma and their own healing process. The Healing Pen is the healing patient emerging, recovering, and learning to thrive once more.
Follow the next steps of my Healing Pen process in upcoming blogs. Thank you for joining me at Radiant Soulutions LLC to share in the knowledge of this amazing journey!
Created by Ashanti Shakir, LMFT, LCPCI, CEO, the Healer in Radiant Soulutions therapy!
