Integrative therapeutic writing (ITW)

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Integrative Therapeutic Writing, as developed by Dima Dupéré, seeks to offer a practice that is distinct from journal writing. It goes beyond an individual journaling practice and incorporates the following elements: relaxation, guided meditation, specific writing exercises, interaction with the text, reflection, and personal questioning.

It integrates the individual, social, structural, and spiritual context of the person. It helps the individuals to define themselves and grow by taking into account their relationship or interaction with themselves, with others, with the world around them.

Integrative therapeutic writing encourages silence and self-listening. It helps to develop / improve self-compassion and self-confidence. 

The role of the clinician or psychotherapist is to help the client re-examine the content of their writing in order to help them find solutions and determine the next course to follow. 

This approach can be integrated very well with other therapeutic approaches such as cognitive therapy, the structural approach, Gestalt, art therapy, narrative therapy as well as ego-state and parts work. It can be adapted to the individual and is supported by research in neuroscience.

The act of keeping a journal outside of this approach is still a powerful tool and anyone who writes regularly will benefit. It does not take away from the importance of the journal but wants to place it at the centre of an integrative approach that can support individuals on many levels. By adding other elements, writing becomes the vehicle through which an individual can realize that they are they expert of their life.