Possible Research Studies

The Intensive Journal method is a wonderful tool to help all sorts of people develop their lives. Over our 50 plus year history, we have conducted workshops for both the general public and all sorts of audiences, such as those who are incarcerated or in a job training program.

While we have anecdotal evidence of how the Intensive Journal method can help people dealing with a variety of issues, we need to have research studies conducted to demonstrate our method's effectiveness. We are in the process of organizing research studies for specific groups of people as described below.

There are many ways that you can help - whether based upon your connection to a particular group, your professional background, or your connection to someone else who could help us. Summarized below are the core elements that are needed to conduct a research study.

Audiences

The Intensive Journal method can help practically anyone develop their lives. We are looking for a group of people (at least 30 in size) who are dealing with a similar issue or situation in their lives. We divide possible audiences into these categories:

Private counseling groups. Therapists counsel people on all sorts of issues range from marital issues, bereavement, next steps in life, feelings of anger, worry, frustration, etc. and much more. Our method has helped people anecdotally deal with a variety of mental health issues, ranging from addiction, depression, emotional aspects of dealing with a major illness, and trauma. We have an extensive list of articles written by participants who have used our method to deal with a particular issue that we call Life-Histories.

Government and social service agencies. There are many different populations that could benefit from our program. Here are some examples of groups who have participated in our program.

• Criminal justice: We have conducted over 1,000 workshops in the criminal justice system, providing a tool for rehabilitation. Preliminary research has shown that those who have attended our program have literally zero recidivism (return to prison). Other cited benefits include improved behavior and attitudes as shown by anger management, dealing with other inmates, cooperation with prison management, and rethinking the way they view their prior actions in life. See Dr. Harvey Shrums published article
• Job training: Dr. Progoff was extensively involved in conducting Intensive Journal workshops with entry level staff at a geriatric center which resulted in these participants becoming more productive employees, relating more positively with the residents at the center, dealing with their personal issues, and developing their education and career goals. See Job Training Report.
• Homeless: Our method has been used to help people who were homeless, formerly incarcerated, had addiction problems, and were hard to employ.
• Caregivers: We have a very successful program with people who are caregivers.

Research Committee

We are in the process of organizing a committee of people who have expertise in a variety of areas. In addition to being knowledgeable about the Intensive Journal method through their own workshop experience, these individuals have expertise in at least one of the following areas:

• research study design;
• programmatic area related to the possible area of study (i.e. criminal justice, caregivers, addiction, depression, etc.);
• professional background - psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, etc.

The research committee's function is to review each phase of the research study to ensure that independent quality research occurs.

Groups Participating in the Study

We need the management of groups that have appropriate clientele who are willing to learn about our program. When we offer our program to groups, the cost is much less than our public price because they are providing the group, and if held in person, the facility as well. Where there may be the long term possibility of a research study, these organizations realize additional savings, obtaining an excellent program for the clientele.

Type of research

We intend to do what is called quantitative research. Before participants attend any Intensive Journal workshops, they will fill out forms that seek to measure the attributes that are part of the study to provide us with a baseline from which to move forward. Naturally, this data is supplemented by qualitative comments that are provided. Then, participants attend our workshops, and periodically, they will fill out these forms to see if our method is helping them on the issues in the study. They will also complete these forms at the end of the study.

Online versus In-Person Workshops

We conduct Intensive Journal workshops both online and in-person. Whether to hold the workshops online or in-person will depend upon the factors in each situation.

Funding

The issue of funding will need to be addressed in each situation. We strive to keep our costs down. Organizations that host such a program for study will be rewarded in terms a reduction in our fees charged.

Duration of the study

These studies can take a couple of years to complete. In addition to the initial planning phase, participants take our workshops over an extended period - let's say 6-12 months, to give our method a chance to work in participants' lives. We then need to assess the data and write a research report.

Therefore, all of the parties involved must be able to participate for the duration of the study. For this reason, while PhD candidates might otherwise be suitable to conduct such a study, their time frame to complete their doctoral dissertation does not make their participation feasible.

Can you help us?

As you can see, there are several components to completing a successful study. We ask that you reflect whether you, or a friend or associate, may be able to help us in some way. These projects are vital for our future growth in reaching more people and enabling them to benefit.

Please contact Jon Progoff at [email protected] or at 330-998-6000 if you wish to discuss this exciting project further.