An Interview With Dr. James Pennebaker

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If you've sought help for trauma-related symptoms you were probably told you needed to TALK about it. But a growing body of research shows that one of the most effective therapies for healing depression, anxiety and trauma is WRITING. In this video, I interview James Pennebaker, PhD, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. My work has been informed by his work since I first began Crappy Childhood Fairy, and this year I got to meet him in Austin and ask a thousand questions. This video was recorded later. Dr. Pennebaker's visionary work has been evaluated in more than 2000 peer-reviewed studies showing that writing is not only therapeutic but has lasting physiological, psychological and emotional benefits that can be measured after just one session.

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[Unreversall]

I started the daily practice two days ago, having no expectations for it. It's barely been 48h, and I already feel the urge to do it more than twice a day. Not because I'm freaked out or stressed but because tearing that paper to bits brings me immense joy and relief. Thanks a lot for the practice. It's simple, easy, clean, and it already brightens my day. I can't wait to see the long-term effects, and if there are none other than the joy of releasing fears and resentments, that's already a huge win!

[jessicasteele]

I had a therapist that wanted me to do art therapy and then touch therapy because words are my coping mechanism. My tongue is my sword. What has worked for me ultimately is changing my story. So, creative writing.

[anneemull]

I started reading “Opening Up by Writing It Down” many years ago. Then life got in the way and it’s been on my bookshelf ever since. Time to get back to that!

[sabrinasjourney]

True. I've been journaling since my trauma and nightmares and it really helps me process everything better. Im slowly starting to sleep better

[robertaiudi]

my favorite CCF episode I'm a big writer even before I found the CCF - the CCF makes me focus on the specifics but writing has been a bit of a blanket for me. Thank you Anna!!!! and DR. Pennebaker. !!!

[Robert-exqp]

I started writing about my childhood and how it affected my whole life through the years to try and better understand my complex childhood. I didn't know it at the time but I talked to a friend about it and she said "Stream of Consciousness" is a form of writing. That opened my mind that I am not alone and my therapist at the time said your feelings are justified and you are doing pretty well knowing you need to take care of your mental health. Another one was creating a timeline of my life and what was happening to my parents, siblings and big family or world events. And what my parents childhood was like.

[BodilWandt]

Thank you. One of the most inspiring exchanges I've witnessed in a very long time. You are both contributing with something powerful - even potentially peacefully revolutionary.

[Auntijengen]

For the year+ that I've been doing the CCF method of Daily Practice 2X's a day, has improved my health and well-being So much. Thank you, Anna Runkle.

[onetuliptree]

Thank you for this interview, I enjoyed learning about the science and research by Dr Pennebaker, and deepening my understanding of the Daily Practice technique.

[apple]

What a delightful conversatin full of many many sparkly bits. I am so glad you're in the world, Anna, and sharing your wisdom and the connections you have and are making. May your teachings flourish.

[ifjcb]

Anna so glad you got to connect with him!

[ashlee]

Turns out I bought one of his books in 2020! Sweet! ❤

[MissSothePeacefulObserver]

Anna, I just got the new Re-Regulated book this week. I've been dealing with a lot of old anger issues that have been cropping up again, and this time, I can't seem to get a handle on it anymore. (It all started about a year ago)
So I'm looking forward to the writing methods that you and this gentleman implemented for others.
I was never a journal person, even though I had a diary as a kid. But I "vent write" a lot in comments online, as a way to cope with the anger.
So I'm trying all of this now, since nothing else is working for me anymore, and the anger just turns into more anger and despair. (It's become a vicious cycle)
It's ironic that your channel just happened to come up in my feed more recently. It's exactly what I've been looking for all my life.
The irony is, I was trying to be an author years ago, but I developed terrible writers block and then stopped.
So maybe the Daily Practice will help reignite my love for writing again. I even started a local support group in my area for others with C-PTSD, and I'm using your book, channel, etc, as a guide for all of us. But we're taking things very slow and one chapter at a time.
Thank you for this interview. It was great.

[mellmoi]

Thank you for this very self empowering and accessible advice.

[lizrussell]

You nailed it. Now. The secrecy of the trauma fuels the shame and aloneness. This is WHY the urge to “share” entices me (with friends I care about) - to feel seen and loved in totality of true self, wound and all. Then I feel cringe for oversharing. This has baffled and stunted my ultimate breakthrough for too long. Recently I sense I’ve lost one of my favorite friends ever. I made this friend because of auditioning the “healed” and “confident” self it’s so frustrating at times to find that balance. Why is this urge to go emotionally streaking so persuasive at times, even though my higher self knows not to?
,

[jessicasteele]

Also, thank you so much for everything that you do. I'm a fan

[AsherahYamma]

What a wonderful man/expert and a great interview. Really seminal for the work Anna is doing as well, along with the book, as far as getting the CCF understanding and practice out into the world and getting recognized by the "professionals." Thank you for everything, always.

[mountainside]

Wonderful interview. Very uplifting and hopeful for the future of mental health treatment.

[katiequimby]

How wonderful! U are sure on ur way Fairy! A watershed moment interviewing Dr. Pennebaker. Grateful. 🙏💕🪷

[thoughtfulthreadsAI]

Thank you for this! I'm write 😊 there with you on writing. My personal feeling on this is writing things down makes it real. Making it Real allows me to deal with it. Dealing with it allows me to talk about it. Talking about it allows me to move forward. Rinse and repeat.