Having a Witness

Many people are more successful in working on psychological material like this if they have someone supporting them that they trust. Other people like to work alone.

There are two ways to do this:

1. Your witness could be with you as you work on Self-Therapy Journey, either in person or on the phone. They can follow what is happening on your computer by using a program that shows it on their computer. This can be done through Skype screen sharing, or you can use a program like mikogo to share screens. This way they can provide emotional support and be a sounding board as you are using the application.

2. You could talk with your witness after each session (and possibly show them your reports) to share with them what you did and how it affected you.

It can be easier to be thoughtful and introspective when you are talking with another person. And perhaps the biggest advantage of a witness is that they will make it easier for you to stay with the program. They can provide accountability. You tell them that you are planning to work with Self-Therapy Journey on Tuesday and you make plans to talk with them that night or the next day. This will make you much more likely to carry through and do it. This accountability will especially be helpful when you are doing the homework practice that you set up in Stage 5.

It is especially important to have a supportive witness when you are working on psychological issues that stir up painful emotions or strong defenses. If you find yourself avoiding Self-Therapy Journey or getting too upset emotionally, finding a supportive witness might help you stay with the process enough to get its benefits.

Who Could be Your Witness?

1. Your Therapist. If you are in therapy, your therapist can be your witness, though there are advantages to having another witness as well.

2. A Friend. You can ask a friend of yours to be your witness. Choose a friend who is a good listener and who won't try to tell you who you are or what to do unless you ask. It will also be helpful if your friend is interested in psychology and personal growth.

3. A Buddy. If you don't have a friend you want to work with, you can find a buddy from other users in our online community. It might even be someone who is working on the same issue as you are.

4. A Mentor. Some of the users who have some experience with STJ have volunteered to be mentors for new users. Click here to see a list of these people and contact them. If you want to consider becoming a Mentor, click here.

5. A Therapist Guide. Another option is to find a therapist who knows the application to guide you through it. Click Finding a Therapist Guide to see a list of therapists who know STJ and are willing to guide you in using it without requiring you to become a full client of theirs. If you want to consider becoming a Therapist Guide, click here.