The Persona and the Shadow The persona or mask is developed by the ego in relation to consciousness. It is the outward manifestation of the psyche, but not necessarily representative of the whole psyche. It is the part of the … Continue reading →
The Cycle of Awareness The circle represents the self/the person/the organism. Outside the circle is the environ-ment, i.e., everything which is not the person. The perimeter of the circle represents the boundary between the self and the environment, often referred … Continue reading →
The Diagnostic Scan – Method and Purpose As in all competent practice, the subject should be kept informed of what the therapist intends, and why. The purpose and method of the Diagnostic Scan should be explained to the subject before … Continue reading →
Spotlighting Having heard the story and checked on its accuracy, both therapist and client are ready for the next stage. It should be remembered, however, that this story is almost certain to be altered, modified, enlarged upon during the course of therapy. But, … Continue reading →
IS THERE AN IDEAL THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP? The most important element to therapy being effective is the creation of the therapeutic relationship. This is a relationship like no other a person will have and it is the essential component to therapy. … Continue reading →
Rollo May Part 2 The strength of Dasein within a person is construed as a barometer of healthy development. In line with Mayâs thinking, a highly significant aspect of psychological health is the individualâs ability to imagine a desirable future state and orientate … Continue reading →
Rollo May Part 1 The work of Rollo May respects the contributions of noted European existentialist thinkers, such as Binswanger and Boss. He is generally credited with importing and integrating such philosophical issues into American psychology. May maintains the fundamental existentialist proposition that … Continue reading →
THE PSYCHIATRIC EXAMINATION A contrast to the psychotherapeutic interviews, is the heavily structured psychiatric examination. The psychiatric examination includes a thorough case history, and an examination of the physical and mental state of the client. The taking of the client’s history is an … Continue reading →
CARL ROGERS’ NONDIRECTIVE INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUE Carl Rogers’ interviewing technique is one in which the therapist takes a very definite back seat. It is less structured than free association and is underpinned by a philosophy that is scornful of all who would be … Continue reading →
Freudian Treatment Schedules Freud (1856-1939) was the founder of the modern psychotherapeutic interview. After abandoning hypnosis, he adopted a technique called ‘free association’. This was a technique in which he encouraged his clients to ‘talk’ with the minimum interruptions to their outpourings. Initially, … Continue reading →
