This program is for adults who intend to make positive behavior changes in their lives.

Interactive Journaling®, a community-based program, is designed to engage participants in the process of making lifelong positive changes.

One randomized controlled trial among males with diagnosed substance use disorders in a local jail setting indicated that participants in the intervention group experienced significantly lower rates of recidivism in the 12 months following entry into the study compared to a control group. These results may not generalize to other populations or in a different setting.

Interactive Journaling uses components from cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, expressive writing, and the transtheoretical model of behavior change to inform and encourage participants to make healthy, positive life changes. It is a structured process that guides participants through activities in which they reflect on their strengths and areas for growth, identify personal values, address challenges and barriers to change, strengthen coping skills, and set goals.

Program and behavior change resources are available in the following areas:

• Federal, state, and county correctional facilities;
• Probation and parole clients;
• Court-ordered diversion participants;
• Reentry program participants;
• DUI education and treatment clients; and
• Behavioral health organizations (e.g., substance use disorder, co-occurring, and opioid abatement programs).

Participant journals include non-confrontational questions that guide participants in considering their motivations for change, exploring their options, and creating a plan with behavior-related goals and a timeline for achieving goals. Journals are available in print and digital formats and vary in length depending on the target population, setting, and type of delivery.

Interactive Journaling was first implemented in 1989 and has reached more than 25 million people in all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Australia, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, New Zealand, and Thailand and military personnel in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

No educational or experiential background is required to facilitate this program. There are several training options available, and they include live, on-site or off-site, 2- to 3- day trainings; online training; and a live, interactive 90-minute webinar. Please visit https://shop.changecompanies.net/pages/landing-page for more information.

Considerations for implementing this program include acquiring participant buy-in and commitment to the process, recruiting facilitators who value the process of journaling and ensuring facilitators complete training, understanding some program materials will need to be purchased, realizing training may need to be funded, and making time for journaling activities.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing Interactive Journaling, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Implementation times will vary based on the format of delivery, the target population, and the setting.

Program materials vary in price. Please visit https://shop.changecompanies.net/ for more information.

To move Interactive Journaling to the Effective category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence at least one evaluation must be conducted that demonstrates sustained, positive outcomes lasting two years from the beginning of the study. In addition, one external evaluation must be conducted that demonstrates sustained, positive outcomes. This study must be conducted independently of the program developer.  

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact The Change Companies® by phone 1-888-889-8866, or visit https://go.changecompanies.net/contact

https://changecompanies.net/interactive-journaling and https://clearinghouse.helpandhopewv.org/program/interactive-journaling/