Can there be therapeutic value in keeping a journal?

I tried this in the past. The problem was that I tended to write in it when I was feeling my worst. At some point I decided to read back what I wrote. It was all rants and drivel, rather cringeworthy. It seems to me that a more disciplined approach is required.

One technique that I sometimes use when trying to solve a problem is to engage in a written dialog with myself. I write down a question and try to answer it. Nothing gets crossed out or erased. If I don’t like an answer, I will write down my objections.

I wonder if a similar approach would work in keeping a diary. I like that it provides a focus and direction.

Do you now or have you in the past done any journaling? Do you have any recommendations on how to go about it?