Gratitude journaling is a great practice that can be utilized as part of developing a daily gratitude practice.

Today, I am going to model an example of gratitude journaling. There are many influential people who have been impacted by life in significant ways. Family, friends, mentors, colleagues… Perhaps I could choose one of them. I think that I will save this example to write in private and then share by reading the letter aloud to the person. What a beautifully vulnerable and courageous moment for when that time comes!

I could also pick a significant item that I am grateful for as part of journaling. There are a few things that come to mind right away. Another option is to choose a place in which I would like to express gratitude. I think that I would like to focus on a specific place this week for which I am grateful.

Let’s get started. First I am going to list what I am grateful for. Then I am going to list five reasons and reflect on specific details that support these reasons. I am going to write these down as part of the gratitude journaling practice. Each day, I would pick something new and follow this same process.

I am grateful for CARE Counseling.

1. I am grateful for the opportunity to join the CARE Team.

While there were certainly many challenges that I was dealing with prior to joining the team, I had a sense of peace [despite my circumstances]. As I reflect, family/ friend support, my faith, and gratitude kept me going. I am grateful for the opportunity to join CARE at a time of tremendous growth as this has opened the door for opportunities and impact within the community. I am grateful that I have been able to be employed throughout the pandemic. I am also grateful to join a team that is committed to the community.

2. I am grateful to be surrounded by an amazing team of talented individuals.

I am amazed every day by the talent that I am surrounded by. I am inspired to grow and learn as a mental health professional and supervisor. I feel privileged to learn from others who are in my room (plus I am super grateful for the beautiful space at CARE that is my room). I am grateful for opportunities to learn from a multi-disciplinary team that includes individuals from a wide variety of states along with their professional development. I learn something new each day! I am grateful for our awesome administrative and marketing team. They are all the best!

3. I am grateful for CARE’s leadership.

From the clinical systems that are in place to help make things easier to training opportunities, professional development, consultation, team building, and community development & outreach I am grateful for the CARE Team. I am grateful for the generous ways in which CARE leadership shows that they care…hand-written notes, competitive pay, flexibility, and accessibility, are just a few of many ways. I am grateful to feel supported by leadership.

4. I am grateful for professional development and training.

I enjoy learning and try to take advantage of opportunities to learn as they come. At CARE, I am grateful for the ongoing monthly trainings that help keep me up to date on the latest interventions. Therapy is an ever-changing field. It is important for me to utilize interventions that are effective and tailored to specific client populations. I am grateful for the opportunities to specialize in areas of interest, such as Exposure and Response (Ritual) Prevention for OCD.

5. I am grateful for my clients.

I am grateful for my clients—from those who I have encountered briefly to those who I have been working with since my first weeks at CARE. I feel honored to be a part of your story—to reflect on the past, live in the present, and look forward to the future. As clients experience suffering, I recognize our shared humanity—experiences of loss, death, stress, or trauma and yet also the gifts of joy, happiness, positive transformation, self-discovery. I am fresh starts. I am encouraged by your resiliency and so grateful for you. Thank you.

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Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC