The Creative Journal: The Art of Finding Yourself [Paperback]

Lucia Capacchione (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2001

A recognized classic in the field of art therapy and creativity, this book is a perfect guide to discovering and releasing your inner potential through writing and drawing. It contains over 50 writing and drawing exercises to help you find and love one's self, get in touch with ones' feelings, and dreams.

It will also show you how to:

* Play with new media of expression (color, images, symbols)
* Sort out the seemingly random experiences in your life.
* Deal with creative blocks to get a clearer picture of your potential and how to use it.
* Define and implement changes.
* Enrich your relationship with yourself and others

Written for both novice and veteran journal keeper, as well as group leaders and counselors, it is a visually stunning book illustrated by the author, her students and clients.

Product Details

• Paperback: 201 pages
• Publisher: Career Press; 2nd edition (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564145387
• ISBN-13: 978-1564145383
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #141,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lucia Capacchione, Ph.D., A.T.R., R.E.A.T., www.luciac.com


I am a Registered Art Therapist, Expressive Arts Therapist, workshop leader and best-selling author of 15 books. My innovative methods spark and nurture creativity in all areas of life. I originated:

* The Creative Journal Method, blending writing with drawing (The Creative Journal series of books for kids, teens, adults)
* Healing through writing and drawing with the non-dominant hand (The Power of Your Other Hand and The Art of Emotional Healing)
* The Visioning® process of life design through collage and journaling (Visioning)
* Inner Child/Inner Family healing through the expressive arts (Recovery of Your Inner Child)

I was originally a professional artist and Montessori-trained child development specialist, one of the first Head Start directors in the U.S. After successful careers in both art and education, I stumbled onto the healing power of art and of journaling with my non-dominant hand while struggling with a mysterious life-threatening illness. Journaling through drawing and writing with both hands opened my right hemisphere. It gave my emotions a means of full expression, helped me remember and work with dreams, develop my intuition and connect both hemispheres of my brain. My Creative Journal opened new worlds to me (internally and externally) and it paid huge dividends in terms of my health. My full recovery without medication led to a new career as an art therapist.

Methods which I developed for my own healing and refined in private practice with others are now being used worldwide for treating addictions, trauma, and childhood abuse. Many of my books are used as texts in courses on therapy, psychology, writing, art, career development and applied creativity. My work is being used in mental health and recovery programs, medical centers, school systems (kindergarten through college), prisons, health and healing programs, spiritual retreat centers, business, and industry. I have trained professionals word-wide in the Creative Journal Expressive Arts Certification Training, and consulted for corporations, community groups and schools throughout the U.S., Canada, Italy, the UK, Australia and Mexico.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book full of riches for aiding self discovery and healing., September 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Creative Journal: Art Of Finding Yourself (Paperback)

The book clearly sets out how to uncover your many layered self through writing and drawing exercises and you don't need to be an artist to do them! Also a manual for discovering a creative self within you along the way. There are many examples of other people's journals which encourage the reader to let their child within take the pen or crayon and let go without inhibition. Both inspirational and instructive, the book has many layers and approaches to uncovering our inner lives. The book offers an invitation to explore, heal and accept yourself and to find your buried treasure in your own unique way. I found many hours of wonder and healing were possible through using the book. And it is the sort of book you can go back to again and again whenever needed.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful inner journey, August 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Creative Journal: The Art of Finding Yourself (Paperback)

I read and worked through this book several years ago and found it very helpful for getting in touch with that person hidden deep inside. This book will help you clarify what the real you wants and needs and will also be helpful when you are making life decisions on which direction to go.
After a few years I've just picked this book off the shelf again. This is another way this book is so great, if you wait a while and work back through it, you'll be able to see how you have changed and find your new directions in life.
In reply to someone else's review...
I do not believe it is necessary for a book to use 'big words' or long strung out descriptions in order for it to be helpful. Sometimes the simplest things are the best things. If you use this book with an open mind it will help you look inside yourself in ways so simple you would not have thought of them. I've read several self help and journaling books and this one is the best.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book to return to again and again, September 19, 2004

By 

Virginia Allain "retired librarian" (Poinciana, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Creative Journal: The Art of Finding Yourself (Paperback)

I tried some of the exercises in this book years ago and found them really insightful. The art parts I skipped and focused on the writing exercises. Now I'm giving it another go and again it makes me think outside my usual box.
Some exercises use lists, some use word association, visualizing and a variety of techniques.
One exercise has you make a list of things you like about yourself. Then make a second list of things you would like to expand or strengthen. Then take one of the items and write out how you will actually do that in the coming week.
This is a good book to provide ways to explore some inner feelings and open up your thinking.