About Lynda
MSW, RSW, CPCC
Director of the International Association for Journal Writing, IAJW.org
Registered Social Worker (MSW, RSW) and Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC)
Founder of IAJW World Journaling Day
MSW, RSW, CPCC
Director of the International Association for Journal Writing, IAJW.org
Registered Social Worker (MSW, RSW) and Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC)
Founder of IAJW World Journaling Day
Professional Associations
I’m passionate about this work
As a social worker, life coach, adoptee, and lifelong journaler, I know that healing and growth aren’t linear and
that personal writing can be a powerful companion for well-being and change!
I am passionate about guiding and inspiring others to experience the transformational power of journaling, individually and in community.
I believe journaling changes lives in the best possible ways.
EMMA-LOUISE ELSEY
FORMER CEO OF THE COACHING TOOLS COMPANY AND FOUNDER OF FIERCE KINDNESS
“I always know that when Lynda speaks to my community, it’s going to be excellent. I regularly receive emails from my audience afterwards saying things like: they wish the session was longer, how inspiring it was or how much they took away from it.
Lynda has a beautiful presence that puts people at ease. Her sessions are well-paced, her materials polished and professional and, whatever the topic, she layers on her journaling expertise to create a warm, transformative learning experience.
I cannot recommend Lynda highly enough.”
My Journaling Journey
I didn’t come to this work by accident! For more than 25 years, I have worked in the burnout prevention space as a trainer, facilitator, and coach. I have supported hundreds of individual clients over the years, as well as trained thousands of helping, healing and caregiving professionals in areas such as burnout prevention, self-care, stress management, and resilience.
These experiences as a social worker, coach and helping professional, combined with my personal experiences as a partner, mother, daughter to parents with Alzheimer’s disease, and as an adoptee, have taught me the importance of having a way to come home to myself for well-being and growth.
Journaling has been my companion and tool for preventing professional burnout, engaging in meaningful self-care, and it has helped me through questions of identity, belonging, grief, healing, and growth.
Over the years, I’ve seen how simple, intentional writing practices can help people slow down, listen within, and discover clarity and strength they didn’t know they had!
Education & Credentials
Education
Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (2007)
Masters of Social Work (1998)
Honours Bachelor of Social Work (1993)
Bachelor of Arts (1992)
Training
Journal Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Writing for Healing & Wellness
Trauma-informed Practice
Experience
Co-creator of the Art of Journal Coaching training program.
Master Journaler with over 8,000 hours of journaling experience.
Served 100’s of individual clients and trained 1000’s of professionals during the past 30 years.
Co-editor and co-author of 6 books, over 20 journals and numerous articles.
Who Lynda Serves
Organizations &
groups aligned with:
Journaling, writing & creativity
Mental health & emotional well-being
Adoption & healing
Caregiving & helping professions
Workplace wellness & resilience
Audiences who need:
Tools for emotional resilience
Stress reduction & calm
Reflective practices
Healing & wellness through writing
Connection & community
Meaning-making & personal empowerment
Previous Clients
Journaling for wellness and personal growth
Barcelona Journaling Festival
The Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia
MSAA – Multiple Sclerosis Association of America
Wellspring Canada
Burlington Library
IWAV – Island Women Against Violence
Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration
Logitech
Fargo VA Healthcare System
Wounded Warrior Project
DENICE NICHOLSON
Nova Scotia Department of
Labour, Skills and Immigration
“I would highly recommend Lynda to anyone who is interested in experiencing a lasting, meaningful, and impactful wellness experience with their colleagues.”
Session on journaling as a part
of the wellness program: Let’s Be.
Burnout prevention and care for caregivers
Nisga’a Lisims Government
Vancouver Island University
BC Women’s Hospital, BC Children’s Hospital
Cowichan District Hospital
School District 64
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. – The Affiliation of Multicultural Societies & Services Agencies
Indigenous Perspectives Society
Victim Services, RCMP
Fort McMurray Family Crisis Society
Maples Adolescent Psychiatric Treatment Centre
The Ministry of Children & Family Development, BC
The Justice Institute of BC
Caring for First Nations Children Society
Community Living Services
Child Welfare League of Canada
Stephanie J. Hartberg, PSYD.
Fargo Va Healthcare System
“I have worked with a number of external presenters and Lynda is, by far, the more courteous, reliable, and engaging presenter that I have had the privilege of hosting.”
Journaling for Wellness Webinar
Niagara Distress Centre
Salt Spring Fire Department
SWOVA – Salt Spring Women Opposed to Violence and Abuse
Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Family and Child Services
Corrections Services Canada
RNABC – Registered Nurses Association of BC
Midwifery Program, University of British Columbia
PEERS Victoria
Children’s Aid Societies – Ontario
Consuela Rodriguez
Wounded Warrior Project
“Lynda was so insightful, caring and attentive during our session. Several of the caregivers have reached out to let me know they are inspired to write again and use the tools she provided.”
Journaling for Self-Care & Wellness
Speaking Philosophy & Approach
As a speaker and worshop facilitator, my priority is to create learning environments that are: kind, thoughtful, respectful, grounded and inspiring. My sessions are experiential but never intrusive.
Participation is always invitational, not forced, while inviting meaningful reflection.
Monique Gray Smith
Host of When Women Write
A Glimpse Into My Life
At home, I’m a wife to my honey, a mother to our amazing sons who are 19 and 20 now, and a constant companion with our beloved golden retriever, Sadie. I’m also a devoted daughter to my mom who suffers from advanced Alzheimer’s disease and lives in a long-term care home.
Our family lives by the ocean on Salt Spring Island, where the rhythms of nature deeply shape how I live, love, work and write. I’m continually inspired by both nature and the heart of our human stories.
Fun Facts About Me
• I journal everyday
• I am a Virgo
• We live in a roundhouse
• I am an ENFJ on the Meyers’-Briggs
• I ran the Oak Bay 10K (You read about it here)
• I love my family, my friends and my work in the world
I would love to connect about your event!
well-being, and purposeful action in life and work.