A practice of written inner dialogue with parts. The client writes from the Self to a part (or the other way around) in a journal. It lets the work continue between sessions, deepens relationships with parts, and surfaces new ones. The journal practice creates a recorded trail of the dialogue that can be brought to a session.
Step-by-step guide
- Teach the technique: "Start with an address to the part: 'Dear [name of the part]..' Write from the Self"
- Ask the part a question: "What do you want me to know? What do you need from me?"
- Write the answer from the part — exactly as it comes, without censorship
- Continue the dialogue: the Self answers the part, the part answers the Self
- Close: "What does the Self want to tell the part at the end?"
- Bring it to the session for joint work
When to use
- As a home task between sessions
- With active clients who want to keep the process going on their own
- To consolidate the work done in session
Key phrases
Between our sessions try speaking with this part in a journal. Start like this: "Dear [part], what do you want me to know?" — and write whatever comes.
Follow-up questions
Bring what you have written — we will look at it together in the next session.
Write without censorship — whatever comes is valuable.
Alternative phrasings
Let the part answer in its own voice. Do not edit what comes.
Warnings
- ⚠️ Not suitable for clients with severe dissociation — a written dialogue may deepen dissociative states
- ⚠️ The journal results should be discussed with the therapist
- ⚠️ Do not recommend at a high level of blending with parts without sufficient preparation
Source: Schwartz R.C. 2021
Materials are informational and educational and summarize publicly available scientific sources. They are not medical or psychological advice, are not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.