For years I knew journaling would support me in recovery from DV, but I was paralyzed in fear whenever I would start to journal. Ten years of a hybrid of CBT, DBT, EMDR, IFS, Betrayal Trauma work, Attachment Theory work, group work, Inner Child work but I could never maintain a consistent journaling practice in the throes of abuse or early recovery. Deconstructing the threat of journaling revealed: 1) Without my consent, others went through my journals and then would challenge my perception of what I was writing. I realized my journals were not safe to document how I perceived my own life - the people around me were not safe to journal around. My thoughts were not safe in journals where other unhealthy individuals had access to them. 2) Patriarchy and internalized misogyny created a perception of shame that led me to feel unworthy of expressing myself through journaling. I had no ego and very little self esteem as a Mormon woman. I internalized the idea that writing about myself...