How do I cancel my membership?

You can cancel your membership at any time by completing a ticket using the "Cancel Account" choice under "Department." See the "Cancel Account" Knowledge Base article for more information.

When is the cancellation effective?

Your cancellation will be effective as of the end of the current membership month. No further charges will be made to the card you have on file.

Can I get a refund?

If you are on the 6-month plan, the months used will be recalculated at the monthly membership rate. You will receive a credit on your card for the unused balance.

What happens  if my card expires?

You will be notified by email that your card is due to expire, and asked to enter a new card expiration date. Your account may be temporarily suspended if your card is expired.

Is my monthly subscription rate locked in for my entire membership?

Yes! So long as you are a continuous member, the rate you signed up with is the rate you will be charged. Should you cancel your membership and then rejoin, you will be charged the rate in effect at that time.

Are there any other charges besides my monthly subscription?

We do offer supplemental services, such as continuing education certificates, 1:1 consultations with experts-in-residence, and optional classes (all forthcoming once we are launched). There are extra fees for these services, but only when you initiate the order. All standard benefits and features at the Journalverse are included in your monthly subscription.

What if I have other payment or billing questions?

Complete a ticket and submit it. Explain your question or circumstance clearly, with sufficient detail so that we can research it and get back to you. It sometimes takes several days to respond, so please be patient with us.

What will I receive every month as a member?

At the Personal membership level you will receive, each and every month:

--LIVE! with Kay, conducted in a teleseminar or webinar format. You’ll explore a core journal or writing concept with a master teacher who will guide in-the-moment writing processes and facilitate limited sharing of reflections. You can listen live, or download the audio to listen to at the gym, in your car, on your couch, or on your lunch break.

--Ask the Experts, a Q/A session with Kay and a topic expert in some aspect of personal writing. Each month you’ll have the opportunity to join a small group of questioners and participants. All events are recorded for later downnload; some may have written transcripts, as well.

--Podcasts are 5-10 minutes long and feature audio interviews with members on various aspects of the writing life.

--The blog, Notes from the Journalverse, brings news and features from across the Journalverse: Book/product reviews, the latest research, announcements, events, happenings, the popular Poem of the Month with writing prompts, From Kay’s Journal, and more.

--Weekly prompts to jump-start your creative writing or journal writing process.Discussion forums to join in a nonstop idea exchange with an eclectic, global membership.

At the Professional level, for those who facilitate, teach, or coach others using writing* you receive all of the above, plus:

--Consultation Clinic, in which you bring your stuck cases/places, sticky wickets, successes, stuff that didn’t work so well, curious questions—to a small-group open discussion led by Kay and a member of the consultation panel. These are recorded, with downloads available.

--Content-specific discussion threads in the forum\

--News and information specific to facilitation and teaching opportunities

--Listing in professional directory (coming in 2014)

*Am I a professional? If you use journals with others, you are eligible for the professional level. This group will include therapists, coaches, spiritual directors, healthcare professionals who use personal writing in their work, as well as Journal to the Self® certified instructors; certified journal facilitators, certified applied poetry facilitators®, trainees or students in graduate or professional study programs in writing, therapy, education, health care, etc., Therapeutic Writing Institute students, trainees and grads.

Is membership a one-time fee or a monthly fee?

This is a monthly membership fee. Think of it like the cost of one self-help book each month for your personal growth, creative expression, professional development and life management through writing. Every month you’ll receive new and relevant articles, audio recordings, access to experts, and small group opportunities for working directly with Kay and her extensive panel of colleagues. Likewise you’ll have the opportunity to feature your own expertise and find like-minded friends in the members-only discussion forums and in the member podcasts and spotlights.

Is there a long-term commitment?

Not unless you choose it. We do offer reduced rates for 6-month memberships. You may cancel at any time, effective at the start of the next membership month, and if you have a 6-month membership you will receive a prorated refund.

What are the standards of conduct at the Journalverse?

The Journalverse is warm, welcoming and inclusive. The goal of the Journalverse is to host interesting conversations with caring, honest, and respectful people who all share a love for the written word as a change agent in the world.

We are open to all. We do ask that you self-select into membership based on whether you agree to align with the Journalverse’s core value of respect.

At the Journalverse, let us assume best intention in all who we encounter. Let us respect limits and boundaries with ourselves and each other. May we tell the truth with courtesy and regard. Let us remember that what we see and hear here is private. Let us pledge to uphold confidentiality – speaking of our own experience with anyone, speaking of another’s experience only with knowledge and permission. Let us respect the intellectual property and creative process of all we meet and not carry it forward without permission and attribution.

May we encourage healthy debate and an open exchange of ideas, in an atmosphere of respect. Feel free to disagree with each other; debate is welcomed and encouraged. However, please do so with courtesy and regard. (Violations will be edited or removed.)

The terms of service and privacy policies, and the rights that we reserve in order to keep the community safe and respectful for all, are posted in a link at the bottom of every page.

Can I download audio instead of having to listen from my computer?

Yes. You will always find links to download audio teleseminars and events so that you can listen to them on any device at your leisure.

Is the Journalverse private?

We value and respect your privacy. The Journalverse is open only to paid members, and it is password-protected. Your credit card information is safe and secure. Our privacy policy is posted at the bottom of every page and is similar to privacy policies of other password-protected, members-only membership sites on the internet.

To cancel your account, simply complete a ticket request, choosing "Cancel Account" in the Department drop-down menu. We appreciate knowing why you are cancelling your subscription, as it helps us improve our service. Your cancellation will be effective as of the next renewal date.

If you have the six-month membership, you will receive a prorated refund for the unused portion of your subscription. Please see our refund policy for details.

I forgot my password!

The email you received when you joined the Journalverse contains your user name and password. If you no longer have this email, click the "forgot password?" link in the log-in box. The Journalverse administrators don't have access to your password, so we can't provide it to you.

How do I change my password?

You can change your password at any time from your member profile, accessible from the log-in box.

How do I upload my photo?

Go to Gravatar, create an account, and upload a photo. Presto! It will appear on the Journalverse the next time you log in!

How does Ask the Experts work?

Ask the Experts is a live Q/A show with an audience. In a 55-minute show, we typically have time for 7-9 questions. We typically have more questions than we have time for, so we ask that questions be submitted in advance. In this way, our expert can discern which questions are most representative.

How do I submit a question for Ask the Experts?

Simply click "create ticket" in the support area and fill it out as follows:

SELECT DEPARTMENT: Choose "Ask Experts Q/A"

MESSAGE TITLE: Write "Question for ------" (name of upcoming expert)

MESSAGE: Ask your question. Include whether you plan to be present for the call (and could ask your question live) or if you want Kay to ask the expert for you.

Here's an example of how a query would look:
*****

[DEPARTMENT: Ask Experts Q/A]

[TITLE] Question for Leia

[MESSAGE] My workplace is laying off employees. It's very tense. I'm trying to use my journal to stay positive but it's filling up with negative thoughts. How can I stay positive in this transition?

I plan to be on the call and I would ask my question in person.

*******

Do I have to be present for my question to be answered?

Typically, yes. We give priority to those questions that can be asked live by a Journalverse member. We prefer to have our experts engage 1:1 with members. However, if your question has been selected, and you cannot attend, Kay will ask the question for you at the end of the call, time permitting.

How do I know if my question has been selected?

Kay or one of the Journalverse team will notify you that your question has been selected and will ask if you are available to be part of the live circle. If so, you will be given further instructions.

If I can't attend, will the session be available later?

Yes. All Ask the Experts calls are recorded and available for download after the event.

Are CEUs available?

Yes. LIVE! with Kay, Ask the Experts, and Consultation Clinic each offer one hour of continuing education, whether attended live or by listening to the archived sessions.

How much does it cost?

There is a charge of $25 to cover up to 9 hours of CEs. There is an additional charge of $15 for rush service.

When do I receive my CE certificate?

Our program director issues CE certificates by email within 30 days after the end of the quarter in which the CE documentation and request form is submitted. If you need your CE certificate sooner than that, you may order rush service for an additional $15.

Will my state licensing board accept your CE units?

The Center for Journal Therapy, Inc. is an approved continuing education provider for the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Many social work boards and some psychology boards accept NBCC continuing education. If your licensure is other than LPC, NCC, LMHC or similar counseling licensure, check with your state board to ensure reciprocity.

How do I submit my request?

 Every CE request must be accompanied by a completed CE documentation form, located on the Continuing Education page.

What if I have other questions?

For information about CEUs, go to the Continuing Education page  (located under the Consultation Clinic tab on the main navigational menu).

Who are the coaches in residence?

Currently, our coaches-in-residence are:

Kathleen (Kay) Adams, LPC, is founder of the Center for Journal Therapy, Inc.; its professional training division, the Therapeutic Writing Institute; and its online membership community, the Journalverse. Kay's expertise is in all aspects of journal therapy, journal writing as a tool for self-directed change, and clinical supervision in journal therapy.

Leia Francisco, CJF, CAPF, BCC, is core faculty at the Therapeutic Writing Institute and a board-certified coach. Leia has attained credentials both as a certified journal facilitator (CJF) and a certified applied poetry facilitator (CAPF). Her expertise is life and business coaching, particularly in the areas of transitions and strategic business planning. She is the author of Writing Through Transitions.

Mary Maynard, RN, BSN, founder of the Center for Healing & Change. Mary is a holistic nurse and mind/body medicine specialist. She is certified as a cancer guide, patient navigator, HeartMath facilitor, yoga teacher, Healing Touch practitioner, and Urban Zen integrative therapist. Mary's expertise is in mind/body/spirit medicine, holistic health and wellness, navigation through cancer, stress management, and application of spiritual practice to health issues.

Kate Thompson, MA, CJT is a BACP (British Association of Counseling and Psychotherapy) senior psychotherapist and supervisor, a certified journal therapist (CJT) and  Colorado-registered psychotherapist. She is the author of Therapeutic Journal Writing and co-editor of Writing Works and Writing Routes, all published by Jessica Kingsley Publishing. She is also first editor of Expressive Writing: Counseling and Healthcare, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, to be published in 2015. Kate's expertise is in existential psychotherapy and clinical journal therapy, including using the journal for self-supervision. She is core faculty at the Therapeutic Writing Institute.

Mary Reynolds Thompson, CJF, CAPF, BCC is core faculty at the Therapeutic Writing Institute and a board-certified coach. Mary has attained credentials both as a certified journal facilitator (CJF) and a certified applied poetry facilitator (CAPF). She is the author of Embrace Your Inner Wild and Reclaiming the Wild Soul (summer 2014). Mary's expertise is in marketing, branding, writing and the natural world, and consultation on "the heroic journey from procrastination to publication" through her Write the Damn Book! training.

Are the experts-in-residence available for individual consultation?

Yes. Each of our experts-in-residence have set aside a certain number of 30-minute individual consultation appointments every month for Journalverse members.

What is the cost of individual consultation?

The cost is a flat rate of $44 per 30-minute session.

Are longer sessions available?

Possibly. Check with your preferred expert-in-residence.

How do I book a session?

Simply complete a support ticket, choosing the "Experts in Residence" department. Be sure to specify which expert you wish by first AND last name (we have two Marys and two Thompsons). Your request will be forwarded to your expert, and she will contact you directly for scheduling.

How is the session conducted?

Either by telephone or Skype, depending on the expert's preference and your location. International callers can nearly always be accommodated by Skype to eliminate expensive transcontinental phone charges.