Pioneering Journal Therapy (Kay Adams)

Course Lab: Lessons from Successful Online Course Creators

Kay Adams melds her talents in therapy and writing to guide others toward healing through journaling. With a deep well of experience, she shares key tips for course creators on the importance of authenticity, overcoming discomfort, testing and validating, and understanding their audience.

Kay Adams is a psychotherapist and founder of the Center for Journal Therapy and Journalversity.

In this episode, Ari, Abe, and Kay discuss:

• Kay’s journey starting in 1985 through becoming an expert in journal therapy
• Her transition from in-person workshops to online courses over several years
• Embracing video teaching despite initial fear and establishing an online presence with Ruzuku
• Current focus on 80% online teaching and creation of hybrid courses
• Distinguishing audiences: therapists needing continuing education units (CEUs) and the general public interested in journaling for self-improvement
• Adaptation during the pandemic: creating relevant courses and significant growth in mailing list and enrollments
• Key takeaways: overcoming personal discomfort, validating content through testing, continuous learning, and maintaining authenticity and integrity

“I realized that even though I was introverted and it was really scary for me to talk to people, I had something to say that was more important than feeling comfortable.” — Kay Adams

Guest Bio

Kathleen (Kay) Adams LPC is a best-selling author, speaker, psychotherapist, visionary and founder of the Center for Journal Therapy. Her first book, Journal to the Self (1990), is a classic best-seller that helped define the field of personal writing as a tool for healing, growth, and change. She has written 13 more books (and one card deck), and her innovative work has led to a movement in writing and healing.

Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Ruzuku
Kay’s website: JournalTherapy.com

Credits:

Hosts: Ari Iny and Abe Crystal
Producer: Cynthia Lamb
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

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Music credits:

Track Title: Bossa BB
Artist Name: Marie
Writer Name: Chelsea McGough
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Coo Coos
Artist Name: Dresden, The Flamingo
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Grace
Artist Name: Shimmer
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS

Track Title: Carousel Lights
Artist Name: Chelsea McGough
Writer Name: Chelsea McGough
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION
Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS

Special effects credits:
24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

Episode transcript: Pioneering Journal Therapy (Kay Adams).