I am a trained clinical psychologist and a certified end of life doula with more than 20 years of combined experience working in corrections and hospice. Difficult circumstances like being incarcerated and facing death are challenges that can temporarily impact people’s mental health but relief does not necessarily require a psychiatric diagnosis and/or medication. Inmates know how long their sentence is and death is certain for a hospice patient. In many cases,  supportive listening, education and education and tools for self care effectively ameliorate the situation.   

CoVid19 The uncertainty that surrounded the pandemic created a situation that was almost worse then being incarcerated or being on hospice. It was if horizon disappeared during CoVid19, at times there seemed to be no end in sight.

We were all so alone together and our collective mental health was overwhelmed.  I began using a creative journaling technique that utilized the use of the non-dominant hand. While I was learning about brain science behind how it works, I discovered this technique had multiple applications and could also be used as a problem solving technique. 

I invite you to join me and discover what happens when you pick up your pen to write, and see what you have to say to yourself when you answer using your non-dominant hand.